Pugno d'acciaio

This movie is a good one for Jonathan Brandis. His acting is good, and so is the way he plays his part. This movie really brings out the way Chuck Norris deals with kids in his movies. He spends the movie as an imaginary friend to Brandis, who is finding junior high life hard. "Norris" teaches him discipline and how to deal with bullies.

This is definitely not the usual Chuck Norris movie, as you can see from the cover. In his other movies, he usually plays some kind of heavy duty hitman with lots of weapons and sometimes armor. This time he has none of that. He is just a low-key character, and even when he finally fights Joe Piscopo in the end, he acts like he is just trying to show Brandis how its done.

This is intended to be sort of a martial arts drama for kids, but it is in fact one of the best unintentional comedies ever. Most really bad movies are just bad and will bore you and make you not want to watch anymore, but Sidekicks is entertaining throughout. Mako, the martial arts instructor, and Joe Piscopo, the evil rival dojo owner, are clearly in on the joke and really ham it up. Brandis and Norris generally play it straight, although I'd have to honestly wonder if Chuck knows how cheesy the stuff is, I'd imagine not, having made Walker Texas Ranger.

I will not spoil the ending, but it fits perfectly with the movie. Watch this one with a group of friends and/or on an intoxicating substance for best effect. Chuck fans and children will also love this, but don't expect a good movie or a plot and dialogue that make sense.

Ok, I'd just like to say i personally thought this movie was great...its got that whole cheesy martial arts feel to it with the coming of age aspect mixed in. Ya...anyways what i'd like to know is how come this movie isn't on DVD? I have searched high and low for it and i can't find it, it doesn't exsist! There are plenty worse movies made that they are releasing on to dvd's i don't see why this one isn't. So if anyone ever sees this, especially someone who has the ability to put this movie into DVD format and preferably with some kind of behind the scenes extras or even better yet commentary with chuck norris and jonathan brandis i would greatly appreciate it and i would be the first one in line to get it....and who knows judging from the other posts maybe the last but hey.

I just got done watching this movie on Television with my 2 children a boy who is 5 and a girl who is 7, and feel it is a wonderful family movie. My children asked if we could buy it. I remembered watching this movie when it first came out. I was about 17 at the time, and I liked it then too. It is similar to Karate Kid, but I enjoy the twist of the kid daydreaming and overcoming is asthma. This movie sends a wonderful message to children: it shows them that having an illness doesn't mean they can't be "normal", it also teaches them how to gain control of their anger and channel it into something good, and like the Karate kid it shows that being a bully never pays off. Furthermore, it shows kids that it's "normal" to daydream and don't let others tease you and push you around because you are different; all it takes is a little hard work and determination and you can find something you are good at.

I had the pleasure of being a crowd scene extra during the filming of the tournament scenes. Some excellent martial arts technicians showed up to demonstrate their skills.

The movie has been compared to The Karate Kid, but it stands on its own legs. Good acting throughout and a good storyline. I got a kick out of the scenes filmed at Lamar High School - my alma mater.