Best of the Best (1989)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Robert Radler

Writers:

Phillip Rhee (story) and
Paul Levine (written by) ...

Release Date:

10 November 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

There's a kind of inner strength you never know you have...until it's ALL you have.

Plot:

A team from the United States are going to compete in the world finals in Tae Kwon Do. The team consists of fighters from all nations, can they overcome their rivalry and work together to win ?

Plot Keywords:

Fighting | Korea | Tae Kwon Do | Tournament | Meditation

Cast

Eric Roberts	...	Alex Grady
Phillip Rhee	...	Tommy Lee
James Earl Jones	...	Coach Couzo
Sally Kirkland	...	Wade
Chris Penn	...	Travis Brickley (as Christopher Penn)
John Dye	...	Virgil
David Agresta	...	Sonny
Tom Everett	...	Don
Louise Fletcher	...	Mrs. Grady
John P. Ryan	...	Jennings
Edan Gross	...	Walter Grady
Simon Rhee	...	Dae Han
Master Hee Il Cho	...	Korean Coach
James Lew	...	Sae Jin Kwon
Ken Nagayama	...	Yung Kim

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | France:U | South Korea:15 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:18 (video premiere) | Spain:T | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:16 | UK:15 | Singapore:PG | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Movie Group, The

Trivia:

The character Walter Grady is named after the father of Eric Roberts: Walter Grady Roberts.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: When Alex receives his letter indicating he has been selected for the National Team, the word Congratulations is misspelled as "congradulations".

Quotes:

Commentator: [after Dae Hawn has been knocked down by Tommy Lee] This could be it! This could be it! If he doesn't get up, it's a technical knockout! The American team will win this tournament!

Movie Connections:

Edited into Best of the Best 2 (1993)

Soundtrack:

RADAR LOVE

One of the best

This is one of the best films I have seen ever. Sure the acting is a bit cheesy, full of one liners and bad jokes, but something about this movie got me stuck to the screen every time I watch it. I am actually quite glad that they casted actors rather than serious martial artist experts (apart from the Rhee's and the Korean Team) to play the various roles in the film.

This is a good movie for both general film lovers and Martial Art film fans, the end fights are very impressive. Personally, I did not enjoy the sequels that came after this so I say stick to the best. Best of the Best I.