China O'Brien

Saw this on TBS the other night, expecting the usual poor substitute for a good action movie. True, I did get a mediocre film overall, but as a form of reimbursement, I received a bunch of quality martial-arts sequences.

Yes, the plot is amazingly uncomplicated - the most unexpected thing (and also the dumbest) is when not just one, but TWO car bombs explode within two days of each other. But besides the improbability of a Utah native growing up with an Australian accent (can we assume he picked that up in the "Special Forces"?), at least it's not too unrealistic.

But this movie was basically created to showcase Rothrock's abilities, and they are readily apparent. Someone mentioned that this film was meant as a vehicle for Jackie Chan; this is also easy to see based on the beautifully choreographed fight scenes that make good use of the available props (the scene in the high school's weight room is particularly fun).

Overall score: With regards to the filmmaking process, this one gets a low rating thanks to bad sound effects, cheap production and minimal writing talent. However, the great fights more than make up for it. Five (5) stars out of a possible 10.

An obviously low-budget effort: the sound is lousy, the editing is sloppy, the writing is cliche. The acting, while not Oscar material, is surprisingly well done. But what really shines are the fight scenes (and that's what you wanted to see the film for, anyway -- right?) They're very well choreographed, and the actors very obviously know what they're doing. And of course, Cynthia Rothrock is a total babe (and that's *really* what you wanted to see the film for -- right? :)

China O'Brien was an attempt to bring Cynthia Rothrock as an action star to American audiences.

She had made an impact in Hong Kong action cinema. Robert Clouse who directed Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon, makes this low budget B movie.

It really is Road House redux, the movie released a year earlier.

China O'Brien is a tough city cop who moves back to her hometown in Utah after the death of a young boy.

Her dad is the sheriff of a small town that is being run by a crime gang headed by Edwin Sommers.

Some of the townsfolk including the local judge are in his payroll.

When her father is killed in an explosion. China O'Brien decides to run for sheriff, to challenge a corrupt cop backed by Sommers.

China and her friends decide to fight back each time an obstacle is put in place by the baddies.

The story is hackneyed. Some of the acting is below par. The movie is about martial arts action.

Here Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke deliver.

Cheesy but fun. Pure Battle sequences, lots of action. Whether intentional or not it was hilarious. In the beginning when the disgruntled student does not believe in the power of Kung Fu he wants China to go into an alley in the middle of a City to prove Kung fu! first Bruce Lee I don't think would do it with all the guns in the cities. Second she is Kicking arse one by one and explaining all the moves. Even better the Kung fu Muslim Brother comes to aid her. And the best comedy relief of the movie is the australian guy with his version of Kangaroo Kung Fu! what a riot. He has some martial arts moves but He manages to splice it with street gymnastics and drop kicks, yes two legged dropped kicks landing on the booty in the middle of a serious fight. Good for straight action raw on story 5 out of ten

I cannot believe that back when I first saw this thrity-four years ago I thought it was a very cool movie.

Out of boredom I decided to stream this after all these years. I could not stop laughing from start to finish. The acting is so ammateurish it is unbelieveable. The dialogue is so corny it's like an 18 certificate scooby doo!

The aufio is terrible. The music is even worse. I also cannot believe the same guy who directed the great Enter the Dragon also directed this.

Having said all of the above I must point out Cynthia's martial arts skills were truly amazing. Her famous scorpion kick which is her signature move was a delight. Cynthia's moves were about the only highlights of this below average martial arts movie.