Hot Potato

This "sort of" a sequel to "Black Belt Jones" (Jim Kelly's character is referred to merely as "Jones") is far inferior. The comedy is lame, the acting mediocre and the dialogue often very bad. But there is a continuous stream of action running through the film, and Kelly shows once again that he had the stuff to be a martial-arts star (although his career was fairly brief). Plus, there are the colorful exotic locations that help you keep watching even the worst scenes. (**)

This movie has little to redeem it. The fight choreography stinks the comedy stinks, the dialogue stinks. The main reason me and mine rented this was to see all of our favorite Hong Kong stunt men, who appear in this film. Not only is Billy Chan, Yuen Biao and Lam Ching Ying in it you will also see a lot of Eric Tsang, Chan Lung and Mung Hoi among others. All I can say is, they must have really needed that paycheck! Never have I seen so many great men used so shamefully! The 5 different costumes they were forced to wear have to be seen to be believed! ( The jester-like costumes were my personal favorite!) We laughed ourselves silly! So if you want to see Lam Ching Ying in a leopard print jungle outfit and short shorts, this is film for you!

Professional martial artist/instructor-turned-actor Jim Kelly stars in "Hot Potato". This film, released in 1975. The film is a nominal sequel to 1974's "Black Belt Jones": Here, Kelly again plays a US government agent/contractor, 'black belt' Jones, but no mention is made at all of his adventure battling Pinky & the Los Angeles Mob, so this could alternately be thought of as a prequel as well. Presumably the film was mainly meant for overseas/international audiences, as it is light on dialogue (despite the principals being American), and mostly dependent on extended fight sequences (replete with slapstick sound effects) to move the plodding plot along.

The plot-- such as it is-- involves the kidnapped adult daughter (Judith Brown) of a southern U.S. senator, who is held a fictional southeast Asian island country by a crime lord, Rangoon, (Sam Hiona). Jones is partnered with two Americans who are also martial artists, the slick-talking Chicago (Geoffrey Binney) and the potbellied Rhino (George Memmoli). A tough-talking fourth party, Thai detective (Irene Tsu), leads the rescue expedition (and guess who she falls for?) "Black Belt Jones" screenwriter Oscar Williams does double duty as writer/director here, but the film seemingly suffers. Attempts at comedy just come across as lame, as when a toy car seems to genuinely terrify a crew of indigenous henchmen, or when Rhino gets into a pick-up Sumo match with a local; A "romantic interlude" is shoehorned in just before a climactic battle, involving random fireworks, a crucified woman and a pit with two tigers.

Kelly, inexplicably paired with two bickering sidekicks, has even less dialogue here than in its predecessor. Chicago's smart-aleck front supposedly masks his pain over losing a wife and child 5 years ago; Rhino (the most obnoxious presence in the film) apparently spends his free time in eating contests with locals and trying to bed multiple women; As a "fish out of water" escapade, this film doesn't have the same impact as "Black Belt Jones" and its hip-urban-America setting. The film, shot on location in Thailand, takes advantage of the interesting visuals of the landscape, including ancient buddhist temples.

One last thing: It's a mystery just what the title 'Hot Potato' refers to, if anything: Likely just something 'clever' thought up by the filmmakers and/or the studio.

After a Senator's daughter by the name of "June Dunbar" (Judith Brown) is kidnapped by an Asian warlord named "Carter Rangoon" (Sam Hiona) and scheduled to be executed if the United States doesn't comply with his demands, two agents "Jones" (Jim Kelly) and "Johnny Chicago" (Geoffery Binney) are sent in to rescue her. To do this they need the assistance of the local police and "Detective Sergeant Pam Varaje" (Irene Tsu) is assigned this important task. However, what none of them take into consideration is how crafty Carter Rangoon can be when necessary. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that I thought that Jim Kelly performed adequately enough for the most part. Unfortunately, the rather weak attempts at comedy involving a particular character nicknamed "Rhino" (George Memmoli) and the poor script proved too much and ruined what could have been a decent film. That said, I don't consider this to be a good martial arts film by any standard and I have rated it accordingly. Below average.

I'm sorry. Maybe I just expected too much after seeing Black Belt Jones. Maybe I expected there to be less of what the filmmakers call "comedy". I could barely stand to watch it. I would have to say that I think this movie is on the top ten of my least favorite films ever.