Superfights

Anyone familiar with the 90s output of HK based Seasonal Films (Gary Daniels' BLOODMOON, American SHAOLIN, KING OF THE KICKBOXERS II) will most likely know what to expect here: excellent fights and plenty of laughs. To paraphrase a friend who also took this film in, "How this 80s movie got made in the 90s is beyond me!" Honestly, I have not laughed this hard while watching a film in a long time. The first 15 minutes had me going scene after scene. Nearly everything thing about SUPERFIGHTS is funny. From the male lead "training" while working his day job as a box boy to the hilarious stereotypes regard wrestling to the amazing theme song ("Superfighter! Kick his ass!"), the film is completely wrongheaded in every aspect. Well, except for one. Like every Seasonal film, the fight choreography is exceptional. Director/fight choreographer Tony Leung Siu Hung captures some great moves from martial arts veterans such as Keith Vitali, Cliff Lenderman & Chuck Jeffreys along with newcomer Brandon Gaines. Gaines is extraordinarily agile, but can't act to save his life. One truly hasn't lived until you have seen Gaines run up the steps of a courthouse a la ROCKY while screaming "Woo hoo!" at the top of his lungs. Writer Keith W. Strandberg is also responsible for the equally hilarious NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER series, so that explains a lot. If you are a fan of high quality fights, then this is definitely recommended. However, if you are a fan of movies so funny that they will make you cry, then SUPERFIGHTS is highly recommended.

Tony Leung along with Steve Wang (DRIVE, THE GUYVER II: DARK HERO) are responsible for some of the best direct to video martial arts films since Jackie Chan earlier films began to be released theatrically. SUPERFIGHTS is Tony Leung's American directorial debut followed by the stunning BLOODMOON. If you can excuse the storyline implausibility and Hong Kong-esque ridiculousness (e.g. the running sequence probably intended as a homage to ROCKY with everyone and I do mean everyone acknowledging our hero) then sit back and enjoy the ride martial arts fans because will make you giddy with adrenaline. Newcomer Brandon Gaines plays self trained martial artist Jack Cody, a dead end box boy aspiring to join the SUPERFIGHTERS. SUPERFIGHTS is a pro wrestling type entertainment company promoted by corrupt businessman and martial artist Robert Sawyer (Keith Vitali) whose illicit activities go far beyond that of the training room and fighting ring. Serendipity occurs for Jack one night when his heroics in saving an innocent girl by the name of Sally from a robbery is caught on tape turning him into a hero overnight. His skills also catch the eye of promoter Robert Saywer who makes him an offer he can't refuse. In becoming a superfighter, Jack eventually uncovers the true nature of the business forcing him to take a stand against Mr. Saywer and his army of drug enhanced, mind altered warriors. With the aid of Sally and her tai chi master grandfather, Jack Cody does just that and the results are spectacular. While the in-ring fighting choreography is commendable, the outside fights are dizzying. Brandon Gaines agility is a feast for the eyes along with female trainer Angel's physical prowess. Also worth mentioning are performances by UFC veteran Keith Hackney and ECW regular ROB VAN DAM (also seen in BLOODMOON). Make no mistake about it, Tony Leung can choreograph a fight sequence. I sure hope SEASONAL FILMS has this guy on a multi-film contract.

Seasonal Films have a reputation of brining newcomers to films and the film makes the star look good. Take SUPERFIGHTS. Karate expert Brandon Gaines makes his film debut and in the beginning alone, he is impressive with his leg hopping a la Tan Tao-Liang. The plot is somewhat what you would hear about the pro wrestling circuit, but it is up to Gaines to solve it his way. Forget the plot and concentrate on the action sequences as they were magnificent. I give SUPERFIGHTS a 8 out of 10.

I studied under Master Cliff Lenderman who played one of the major roles in the movie. As a student of his at the time of the release, I was able to attend the local premier showing.

If you like all out, non-stop, fight action, with some incredibly talented fighters, you need to see this movie. If you like a good, solid story line, with plenty of human interest and a good old fashioned, boy-meets-girl story, you also need to see this movie.

I gave it three thumbs up!

I found this video in a bargain bin for $1. That's about the real value of it. I only bought it because I wanted to see Keith Hackney, a former UFC fighter, try his hand at acting. His role is so small that he isn't given much of a chance to fail. Lucky for him because the others fail miserably. This movie is even worse than Ken Shamrock's 'Champions' if that means anything to you. The fights scenes are flashy but embarrassingly bad. They have some young guy wearing a long white wig and beard pretending to be an old Chinese Martial Arts master and it's hilarious.