Classic Reel: "No Retreat, No Surrender" Trilogy

 

                                                                         

No Retreat, No Surrender: Karate Tiger 

Cast: Kurt Mckinney, Jean Claude Van Damme, J.W Fails, Kim Tai-chung, Timothy D. Baker, Kent Lipham and Kathie Sileno.

Year of release: 1986

Directed by: Corey Yuen

Plot: After his father is forced out of his dojo by a crime syndicate, a young man, in turn, has to deal with bullies on their return to their old neighbourhood. However, he receives an unexpected from his idol, the ghost of the long-dead Bruce Lee. 

No Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder 

Cast: Loren Avedon, Cynthia Rothrock, Max Thayer, Matthias Hues and Patra Wanthivamond. 

Year of release: 1987

Directed by: Corey Yuen

Plot: An American college student, his best friend & his best friend's ex (Cynthia Rothrock) travel to Cambodia to rescue his Vietnamese girlfriend from a sadistic Russian general. 

No Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers 

Cast: Loren Avedon, Keith Vitali, Wanda Acuna and Rion Hunter 

Directed by: Lucas Lowe

Year of release: 1990

Plot: Two estranged brothers reunite to avenge the death of their father at the hands of the sadistic Franco  & his gang of terrorists. 

The 3 films were popular at the height of the martial arts craze in the late 80s and early 1990s. However, while they share the same name, they are not connected, even though the first 2 were directed by Corey Yuen, nor do they share the same rating. They are also low-budget, but that didn't stop either of them from having a cult following. 

Part 1 starred Kurt Mckinney as the protagonist, Jason, and a then 26-year-old Jean Claude Vandamme (in his first big break) as a nasty Russian thug who immediately becomes his enemy after breaking Jason's father's leg for refusing to join an organised crime syndicate who demands his dojo. Refusing to let his son avenge him, Tom insists they move back to Seattle and start afresh. However, Jason soon runs afoul of a gang of bullies, led by the obese Scott (Kent Lipham), after he rescues his friend R.J. ( J.W. Fails) from their clutches. Scott seems to have serious self-esteem/personality issues, which he hides behind his annoying bluster and soon incites public humiliation on Jason via his friend, also a martial artist. Probably it would have caused outrage from the viewers if Jason had simply kicked that idiotic Scott's fat ass, but Scott was such a gross, cringy bully; he honestly deserved it. 

No Retreat, No Surrender has been accused of being a cheap ripoff of "The Karate Kid", which is ridiculous. The only 2 similarities are that the main character needs defence training to protect himself from bullies and the fact his teacher is Asian. Jason's teacher, instead of another aloof but kind Mr Miyagi, ended up being the ghost of his long-time idol, Bruce Lee; whose grave he previously visited to pay homage and seek advice. 

Analysis, everybody in the film, except for Mckinney, Vandamme and Kim Tai-chung was rather campy. J.W Fields, who played Jason's best friend and the object of the obese Scott's hatred, was the comic relief, but their dynamic was still fun to watch. Jason's father was intent on wrapping his son in cotton wool by forbidding him to fight, yet he used his still-present skills to fight off his bully. Jason's training under Lee's tutelage was drawn out, and as he grows in skill, we already know he's going to emerge the winner a the end of the movie. Kim Tai-chung was a convincing Bruce Lee, he looked and sounded like the last martial artist that some viewers will forget the late martial artist passed away in the 70s. The film was a very good first outing for Vandamme, whose next screen appearance was "Bloodsport".

Trivia:  Kim Tai-chug, who played the ghost of Bruce Lee, was Lee's replacement in "Game of Death", following Lee's passing.  

No Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder was supposed to be a sequel to "Karate Tiger". However, the story ended up being changed altogether after Mckinney and Van Damme bowed out, not because of money but the movie's setting, Cambodia, which was going through civil unrest,  Since both actors agreed it wasn't worth risking their lives, Loren Avedon and Max Thayer are cast instead, along with the Queen of Martial Arts, Cynthia Rothrock. 

Not mincing words, this 2nd installment was far more violent its predecessor. It was like watching "Rambo: First Blood 2"; massacres, guns and explosions galore. Cynthia symbolised Girl Power as she proved her mettle against her ex and other men who try to squash her, but the writers should have given her better lines and an even better ending. Max and Loren have a great dynamic despite their difference in personalities, while Matthias Hues is the extremely over-the-top villain. Seeing him, we can't help but wonder what the original story was supposed to be. It was, for me anyway, NOT a fun watch; there were martial arts scenes, but the graphic violence overshadowed them and it was horrifying to note that the weapons used were real live guns with live ammunition; it's a wonder no one was killed. 

My take is several thumbs down. 

Trivia: Cynthia Rothrock's character Terry was the main inspiration for Mortal Kombat's Sonya Blade.

No Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers saw the return of Loren Avedon, but as a different character, the son of a retired CIA agent (Joseph Campanella), who feels second place to his brother, who had followed their dad's footsteps.  After their father is killed by the vengeful Franco (Rion Hunter) and his gang of terrorists, the two brothers swear revenge. However, while Casey attempts to use legal channels (initially), Will chooses to infiltrate the gang, and they both receive a dreadful shock midway.

My take, first about Rion Hunter, who played the main antagonist, Franco. He was sinister and evil and with SERIOUS martial arts skills. The final fight was definitely the high point of the film, as he took on both brothers in combat; that scene was really memorable. 

Loren Avedon showed more martial arts skills here than in his previous outing, easily outshining Keith Vitali, who played his brother, Casey, who was less prepared. Avedon played Will, a skilled martial arts teacher but is a bit childish and temperamental whenever around Casey.  Casey, on the other hand, is cocky and rather vain... how many times MUST he comb his hair, it was SO annoying! 

The film was focused on avenging their beloved father but the personal issues between them prevent them from initially teaming up. The main point is sombre, but there are some cringy comic moments: the bank scene, the bar scene where Will pretends to be Angel's ally to get into Franco's circle and don't get me started on the scene where Will pretends to assassinate Casey, with 2 of Franco's thugs watching outside. For most of the film, we wonder just what the terrorists are up to, and it's exhausting,  which all ends in a deux machina. As for Wanda Acuna, who played  Casey's ex, the delivery of her lines was not good, almost as if she was reading from cue cards. I feel a romantic arc wasn't necessary, she and Casey fought half the time and I can’t say they had chemistry.

A fun watch for martial arts fans, at least it's better than Part 2.

Trivia: Keith Vitali's character, Casey Alexander, had  a cast on his arm throughout the film. Vitali  actually broke his arm during the audition, hence it was written into the script.