Full Contact

This movie was not horrible, but most of it wasn't very good. It is worth seeing just for the "cobra in my pants, punk" line! I could not stop laughing at that. I thought more effort should have been put into making the main character more likeable and perhaps make some of the villains a little less. Of course, if that was done, it would just be another stereotypical beat 'em up movie (which it wasn't all that far away from anyway).

Jerry Trimble stars as Luke Powers in this action movie (which is actually a remake of "Bloodfist"). He arrives in L.A., only to find that his brother, who used to take part in "back-alley" fights, has been murdered. In order to find the killer, he becomes a fighter himself. Marcus Aurelius stars as Pep, the man who trains Luke to fight. 1993's "Dragon Fire" (Starring Dominic Labanca, Dir: Rick Jacobson) also has the same story, but this movie is better. The fight scenes are good. I gave this 8/10.

Okay, so I've never actually seen Full Contact, but I've been so close to renting it on many occasions. And all because of the cover of this video. Come on, look at that package! This is the most blatant depiction of male camel toe that I've yet seen on a movie cover. I will certainly see this eventually.

Above and beyond the tight, tight shorts are the facial expressions and bad techniques evident. Right on the cover! They actually are using these images to PROMOTE the film. The marketing for this movie is incredible.

Of course, this movie was made during the mad rush of Americanizing martial arts films. The late 80's and early 90's were the worst time period for these cookie cutter movies. So I imagine the actual film itself is much the same as all the rest: bad. But I give the cover an A+ for sheer gall in displaying genitalia so prominently.

This movie is based on the same Robert King's story as "Bloodfist" and "Dragon Fire". If you saw either one of those movies and are looking for an original martial arts flick, look again. All three movies follow exactly the same plot. "Dragon Fire" tried to update the story with a futuristic backdrop. This movie simply remakes "Bloodfist" with a much smaller budget and a white lead. Having said that, this movie is not worse than most low-budget American-made martial arts flicks. It follows the same scenario as half of those films -- a noble fighter decides to enter no-holds-barred-tournament to avenge his brother or best friend. While praparing for the tournament he dates a stripper and befriends her mentally retarded brother. Robert King's story has a twist in the end, related to the identity of the killer. The twist is not too unexpected though. Basically, if you like formulaic b-movies where beefy, shirtless, sweaty men beat each other senseless, you will probably enjoy this one a lot.

This is my new favorite eighties/nineties kickboxing movie. It's clearly a Corman knock-off of earlier brother avenges brother efforts, but it's head and shoulders above most of the crumby video fodder that was being fed to the hungry market at the time.

Jerry Trimble is good as the kickboxing hayseed who comes to LA to find his brother, but Marcus Aurelius steals the show as Pep, the Art of War spouting trainer who befriends Luke. Watching these two train, fight, and of course bond, was surprisingly effective, considering how badly written and acted most of these cheapy fight vehicles were at the time.

This flick is pure comic book fun as Luke and Pep fight their way up the ladder of villainous opponents to the championship-and the truth of Luke's brother's death. Beverly Grey (writer) and Rick Jacobson (director) set up each opponent, so each fight has special meaning. This movie really delivers on the awesome fights. It's non-stop, yet stylistic. Kudos to the editor (Lawrence Maddox) because this thing moves. Jacobson has real flair here, and the final fight, even if you saw it coming, is a blast.

If you know this genre, you'll recognize many of the much used locations from other Corman flicks. But somehow, they're grittier here. Probably made for WAY under a million, this is much better than any of the Don Wilson efforts made for more money. Show this to the kids at USC, because this film is a primer on how to get it done cheap. A gem.