"Bruce" (Johnny Yune) is a hapless cook who just happens to work for the main mafia boss on the west coast. But things aren't going good for the mob because of a series of drug busts by the feds. So the boss of the west coast named "Lil Pete" (Bill Capizzi) decides to use an unsuspecting Bruce to deliver his cocaine throughout the United States by fooling him into thinking that it is flour from China. Naturally, Bruce doesn't know any better. He also doesn't suspect that his new girlfriend, "Anita" (Pam Huntington) is a federal agent who has planted a bug on him to track his movements. Meanwhile, another mobster on the west coast named "Big Al" (Martin Azarow) is seeking to discredit Lil Pete and has his girlfriend, "Karmen" (Margaux Hemingway) follow Bruce to inhibit his deliveries. Anyway, rather than detail the entire plot I will just say that for a low-budget comedy this wasn't too bad. Johnny Yune was absolutely hilarious. Unfortunately, the action scenes and everything not centered on him fell completely flat. In addition, the middle portion of the film really seemed to drag. All in all then I rate this film as about average.
30 Reviews
Yune driven watch
videorama-759-85939130 January 2017
Here's a unsuccessful comedy, you feel really tries, but still manages to be really entertaining, mainly thanks to Yune, a natural comic performer,and it's story and characters. Although really, does he look like Bruce Lee, "I think not". Parts of his face, around the eyes, yes, but really. He becomes a drug muel for a mafia organization he works for. He really isn't the sharpest tool in the box, but it's great watching him make his famous spaghetti- the best in the world, or make a vase magically break, by executing a karate strike, while standing nowhere near it, or too, eating chicken with numb chucks. His sidekick on his drug round, Freddy, is very likable, who, unlike his partner, knows what's really in those sacks, beside flour. The film's music score is the best thing about this lively, colorful film, that hosts some beautiful woman, none more than that sexy CIA agent, Bruce falls for, sort of. He's a really mislead lovable sort. This isn't a badly made film, but as I said, it really tries hard, where Yune is the film's star saving grace. This very talented guy should of done much more, film wise. Hemmingway is very good as a feminine fatale.
Jesus Christ.....
JSutton7805 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Where to begin?
When I was fourteen I got this movie as a gift from a relative that I had met twice in my entire life. It is, in every sense of the word, a B-Movie but a decent one. It's entertaining, that much I can give it, but it won't be winning any awards.
The film centers around a Chinese man, aptly called "Bruce" who gets mixed up with the mob and so forth and so forth. The plot, or lack there of, isn't that important. It's enjoyable and funny at times with some martial arts action mixed in. You'll chuckle, probably not full on laugh, but chuckle. It's a good film to turn on to fill the silence.
I can see some appeal in this film if you're an avid fan of classic martial arts film, particularly Bruce Lee films.
If you ever come across this film I'd recommend giving it a view if you're a fan of these kind of movies.
When I was fourteen I got this movie as a gift from a relative that I had met twice in my entire life. It is, in every sense of the word, a B-Movie but a decent one. It's entertaining, that much I can give it, but it won't be winning any awards.
The film centers around a Chinese man, aptly called "Bruce" who gets mixed up with the mob and so forth and so forth. The plot, or lack there of, isn't that important. It's enjoyable and funny at times with some martial arts action mixed in. You'll chuckle, probably not full on laugh, but chuckle. It's a good film to turn on to fill the silence.
I can see some appeal in this film if you're an avid fan of classic martial arts film, particularly Bruce Lee films.
If you ever come across this film I'd recommend giving it a view if you're a fan of these kind of movies.
Surprisingly good B-movie!
BlackJack_B11 November 2001
I had read the short review of this movie in "The Video Movie Guide" over and over, thinking it would be bad; but by luck, it was on T.V. one summer afternoon, so I watched it. Well, they were wrong (again).
This movie was good. It at least did its job in making me laugh like crazy at times, which is tough for anything coming down the pike these days.
Johnny Yune, a now forgotten comedian, plays Bruce, so-called because people mistake him for Bruce Lee (he looks nothing like him). Bruce gets himself involved with the Mafia, who use him and Ralph Mauro as unknowing guinea pigs to deliver "Chinese Flour", which is really cocaine, to various bosses from L.A. to N.Y. When things go sour, the late Margaux Hemmingway tries to off the heroes.
The film is very cheap-looking and dark, but there are some absolutely funny lines delivered by Yune.
When he's in Las Vegas and he's asked about gambling
Bruce: Ah Gambling! In China, I knew a woman who made her husband a millionaire through gambling. Only thing was, he used to be a billionaire.
When he's at a black church and asked to testify.
Bruce: We were so poor that when a thief broke into our house, we'd rob him!
Early in the film, his adventures at a dojo are pure slapstick, as well as a scene where Yune and Mauro are in a Texas jail, and they use the Chinese Flour to cause a jailbreak, then when the cocaine is on the clothes of the prisoners, they start sniffing at the clothes to snort the coke! Hilarious.
You won't find this on DVD, but you'll find this hidden gem somewhere in a video store. See it.
This movie was good. It at least did its job in making me laugh like crazy at times, which is tough for anything coming down the pike these days.
Johnny Yune, a now forgotten comedian, plays Bruce, so-called because people mistake him for Bruce Lee (he looks nothing like him). Bruce gets himself involved with the Mafia, who use him and Ralph Mauro as unknowing guinea pigs to deliver "Chinese Flour", which is really cocaine, to various bosses from L.A. to N.Y. When things go sour, the late Margaux Hemmingway tries to off the heroes.
The film is very cheap-looking and dark, but there are some absolutely funny lines delivered by Yune.
When he's in Las Vegas and he's asked about gambling
Bruce: Ah Gambling! In China, I knew a woman who made her husband a millionaire through gambling. Only thing was, he used to be a billionaire.
When he's at a black church and asked to testify.
Bruce: We were so poor that when a thief broke into our house, we'd rob him!
Early in the film, his adventures at a dojo are pure slapstick, as well as a scene where Yune and Mauro are in a Texas jail, and they use the Chinese Flour to cause a jailbreak, then when the cocaine is on the clothes of the prisoners, they start sniffing at the clothes to snort the coke! Hilarious.
You won't find this on DVD, but you'll find this hidden gem somewhere in a video store. See it.
Clumsy, with only a few funny moments.
gridoon31 August 2001
I decided to watch this again, after reading some of the other comments, and perhaps find a funnier movie than the one I remembered seeing, but it still wasn't there. "They Call Me Bruce?" does have some funny jokes in it, but also too many flat ones. The whole production looks clumsy and amateurish, but the film's biggest mistake is its overreliance on fight scenes and on the needless plot. Still, it's not the kind of movie you can genuinely hate, and Johnny Yune is not the most dislikable actor you could find.... (*1/2)
DVD Details on Case
amycusack2224 June 2008
Get set for all the zany fun in this hilarious comedy about an Asian immigrant that everyone calls "Bruce," because of his resemblance to the legendary Bruce Lee.
Bruce unknowingly works as cook for the mob and is duped into making deliveries of "Chinese Flour" - which is really cocaine - all across the U.S.
It's a non-stop, rollicking romp when Bruce is persuaded by a wild and crazy assortment of characters - Texas sheriffs, Vegas hookers, rival mobsters, Kung Fu Krishnas, street punks, Urban cowboys and a host of other wacky, weird people interested in "flour."
Bruce unknowingly works as cook for the mob and is duped into making deliveries of "Chinese Flour" - which is really cocaine - all across the U.S.
It's a non-stop, rollicking romp when Bruce is persuaded by a wild and crazy assortment of characters - Texas sheriffs, Vegas hookers, rival mobsters, Kung Fu Krishnas, street punks, Urban cowboys and a host of other wacky, weird people interested in "flour."
The main star is funny, but the lowbrow humour has badly dated
Leofwine_draca29 January 2017
Warning: Spoilers
THEY CALL ME BRUCE? is a silly American comedy about a noodle chef who bears an uncanny resemblance to deceased kung fu star Bruce Lee, which leads to everybody mistaking him for the action icon. Thus you might call it the ultimate in Bruceploitation movies, even though Johnny Yune looks absolutely nothing like Lee. Where he differs from the rest of the Bruceploitation actors is that he's actually a gifted comedian, and this is an out and out comedy.
The absurd storyline of the film sees Yune working for the Mob before being shipped off to America for a tour around the big cities. He thinks he's delivering special Chinese flour for noodles, but in fact it's cocaine. Inevitably he soon falls foul of both the police and rival gangsters who take issue with him muscling in on their turf. It's straightforward enough, and a pity that the majority of the laughs are so racist in nature; I couldn't enjoy them. There are a few fight scenes which are fun but since every character in the film is a huge walking stereotype I really think this film's overrated, even though Yune is very good.
The absurd storyline of the film sees Yune working for the Mob before being shipped off to America for a tour around the big cities. He thinks he's delivering special Chinese flour for noodles, but in fact it's cocaine. Inevitably he soon falls foul of both the police and rival gangsters who take issue with him muscling in on their turf. It's straightforward enough, and a pity that the majority of the laughs are so racist in nature; I couldn't enjoy them. There are a few fight scenes which are fun but since every character in the film is a huge walking stereotype I really think this film's overrated, even though Yune is very good.
Karate Chop Time Machine
TheAll-SeeingI24 July 2019
My brother and I have vivid memories of wandering into the theater in 1982, watching They Call Me Bruce with our mom, and laughing hysterically as only small children best know how to do. Fast forward to 2019, and I can report that perhaps They Call Me Bruce - while retaining some dicey and goofball Reagan-era charm - hasn't quite weathered the storm of time as well as my love of nostalgia may have hoped.
They Call Me Bruce is a slapstick-heavy kung fu film spoof; a satire of the heavily-dubbed film imports of the 1970's coming straight out of the Hong Kong film marketplace. At its best, it borrows successfully from the wonderfully inane parody vibes of Zucker and Abrahams' Airplane, Naked Gun, and Top Secret. At its worst, it borrows unsuccessfully from the same places. The story itself plays out like the title directly implies it might: There's a guy running around who "they" call Bruce (Johnny Yune). Because in the distinguished opinions of the mostly white secondary characters, Yune's character looks a lot like Hong Kong-American film star Bruce Lee (he doesn't, which makes it all either more egregious or more rad, viewer-depending). It's a film premise that if it first appeared today wouldn't have to withstand our modern Cancel Culture upon release, because absolutely no studio would have green-lighted its production in the first place.
In trying to avoid a constant rekindling of the today-versus-yesterday cultural spat between dismissive GenXers and accusatory Millennials, let's stipulate that there's a lot of stuff we've learned since 1982 that leads to more sensitivity in recent film, while also agreeing that it's tough to take a thing from its original context and solely apply current values to it as if it were conceived today. They Call Me Bruce is gloriously stupid at times, just plain stupid at other times, and will inevitably play out uneasily and as outdated to some, as it does come from a different time and space - a fact which can be used to both arguably defend and legitimately prosecute it. Is it still fun in the end? The answer here is yes, but not without contingencies. Now go find out for yourself.
They Call Me Bruce is a slapstick-heavy kung fu film spoof; a satire of the heavily-dubbed film imports of the 1970's coming straight out of the Hong Kong film marketplace. At its best, it borrows successfully from the wonderfully inane parody vibes of Zucker and Abrahams' Airplane, Naked Gun, and Top Secret. At its worst, it borrows unsuccessfully from the same places. The story itself plays out like the title directly implies it might: There's a guy running around who "they" call Bruce (Johnny Yune). Because in the distinguished opinions of the mostly white secondary characters, Yune's character looks a lot like Hong Kong-American film star Bruce Lee (he doesn't, which makes it all either more egregious or more rad, viewer-depending). It's a film premise that if it first appeared today wouldn't have to withstand our modern Cancel Culture upon release, because absolutely no studio would have green-lighted its production in the first place.
In trying to avoid a constant rekindling of the today-versus-yesterday cultural spat between dismissive GenXers and accusatory Millennials, let's stipulate that there's a lot of stuff we've learned since 1982 that leads to more sensitivity in recent film, while also agreeing that it's tough to take a thing from its original context and solely apply current values to it as if it were conceived today. They Call Me Bruce is gloriously stupid at times, just plain stupid at other times, and will inevitably play out uneasily and as outdated to some, as it does come from a different time and space - a fact which can be used to both arguably defend and legitimately prosecute it. Is it still fun in the end? The answer here is yes, but not without contingencies. Now go find out for yourself.
One of the most inept films I've ever seen; as compelling as a car crash
guy_lazarus9 February 2002
This is one of the most inept films in terms of craft I've ever seen. It is so poorly filmed that it makes an Ed Wood, Jr. movie or one of Oscar Micheaux's later films that are plagued by continuity problems seem masterpieces of craft in comparison. "They Call Me Bruce?" makes Wood's GLEN OR GLENDA? seem like Eisenstein's POTEMKIN.
The acting was atrocious, yet the film was strangely compelling -- as compelling as watching a car crash. I'm not joking. It takes some kind of negative panache to pull off a film that is so GODAWFUL. I just kept watching and watching, appalled yet fascinated. The scene in the Hair Styling salon, where Johnny Yune is wearing a blonde wig and a mumu and is posing as a mannikin (a mafia torpedo, looking for Yune's character in the shop, keeps stabbing the mannikin next to which Yune stands, never once noticing that Yune keeps moving to reposition himself down the line of mannikins to avoid getting stabbed himself; the torpedo's partner, holding a pistol to the shopkeeper's head, never notices the moving "mannikin" either, distracted as they are by the shouting of the clever shopkeeper) is just unbelievable. Talk about suspension of disbelief!
The scene that preceded this one, where a group of African Americans hold Yune and his partner at knife point and Yune speaks to them by using a HOW TO TALK JIVE dictionary, is also simply unbelievable. Yune's wooing of the African American "gang-members" with jive, who comport themselves with much eye-rolling, "jive-talking" and "soulful" body movements (imitated by Yune's character) that make the late Stepin Fetchit's shtick seem to ne as dignified as Paul Robeson in comparison, is one of the landmark moments of the cinema in the sense that it likely would wind up in some TV documentary about racism if this movie wasn't so damn obscure! If there ever is a TV doc about Asian-African American racism, this could be exhibit #1!
The acting was atrocious, yet the film was strangely compelling -- as compelling as watching a car crash. I'm not joking. It takes some kind of negative panache to pull off a film that is so GODAWFUL. I just kept watching and watching, appalled yet fascinated. The scene in the Hair Styling salon, where Johnny Yune is wearing a blonde wig and a mumu and is posing as a mannikin (a mafia torpedo, looking for Yune's character in the shop, keeps stabbing the mannikin next to which Yune stands, never once noticing that Yune keeps moving to reposition himself down the line of mannikins to avoid getting stabbed himself; the torpedo's partner, holding a pistol to the shopkeeper's head, never notices the moving "mannikin" either, distracted as they are by the shouting of the clever shopkeeper) is just unbelievable. Talk about suspension of disbelief!
The scene that preceded this one, where a group of African Americans hold Yune and his partner at knife point and Yune speaks to them by using a HOW TO TALK JIVE dictionary, is also simply unbelievable. Yune's wooing of the African American "gang-members" with jive, who comport themselves with much eye-rolling, "jive-talking" and "soulful" body movements (imitated by Yune's character) that make the late Stepin Fetchit's shtick seem to ne as dignified as Paul Robeson in comparison, is one of the landmark moments of the cinema in the sense that it likely would wind up in some TV documentary about racism if this movie wasn't so damn obscure! If there ever is a TV doc about Asian-African American racism, this could be exhibit #1!
An artifact
retrozoid30 April 2022
A movie I thought I had seen years ago
alvalentine2 April 2021
Brilliant martial arts spoof
sean730 June 2000
fast paced action
disdressed1223 March 2011
i found this movie to be very fast paced,with a lot of action and a few mildly funny bits thrown in here and there.i wouldn't call it a comedy,(though many might disagree)but more of an action film/crime drama.it's very entertaining,and worth watching.it references The Godfather on many occasion.even the music is similar in some scenes.in fact,it almost spoofs it.Kungfu the series is also referenced.Johnny Yune who plays Bruce is a very likable actor as is his character.i wouldn't say this is a classic film by any means,but it should keep you entertained for just under ninety minutes.for me,They Call Me Bruce? is a 6/10.
Silly Martial Arts Spoof
Space_Mafune6 February 2003
Johnny Yune stars in this rather unhumorous yet abundantly silly comedy spoof of Martial Arts films. For the most part this is just downright stupid and sometimes vulgar and distasteful. Still it is certainly better than anything Adam Sandler ever did.
There are two scenes I liked...early on in the bar when the "I'm an Oriental" line gets carried a bit too far and later when Bruce imagines himself as the real Bruce--Bruce Lee. Also the women Margaux Hemingway (what's she doing in this?!) and Pam Huntington deserve points for at least trying. There are a few clever lines here and there as well.
There are two scenes I liked...early on in the bar when the "I'm an Oriental" line gets carried a bit too far and later when Bruce imagines himself as the real Bruce--Bruce Lee. Also the women Margaux Hemingway (what's she doing in this?!) and Pam Huntington deserve points for at least trying. There are a few clever lines here and there as well.
One of the funniest movies ever!!
haroldd18 August 2003
Yes it's cheaply made, yes it's stupid, and yes it's cheesy, But, this is one of the funniest movies that I've ever seen. Johnny Yune is great in this one (I wish he would have made more movies). His one liners are so cheesy that you can't help but laugh, and his facial expressions when he is swinging those nunchucks makes me hit the rewind button every time...... Anyone who does not find this movie funny does not have a sense of humor!!!
They Call This a 4.8? I'd hate to see what is a 1!
Zoopansick8 July 2003
This is one of the worst comedies I have ever seen. The plot is ridiculously dumb and the jokes are really bad. I wouldn't even recommend this for kids, even really stupid kids. I saw it recently amongst friends (we were having a contest as to who could rent the worst movie) and it felt really dated, even though it wasn't made THAT long ago. This movie is much worse then it's rating and should be avoided at all costs. The good thing about this movie is that it isn't carried at most video stores! But if yours has it do me a favor rent it and throw it in the trash then pay the fee to buy it (shouldn't be that much). This is a great way to help the public and it doesn't take up as many hours as community service. Be a leader in your community and help destroy all copies of this movie!
Zoopansick
Zoopansick
They Call Me Bruce
BandSAboutMovies5 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Directed by Elliott Hong and written by David B. Randolph and Tim Clawson, They Call Me Bruce? Begins with a young Bruce watching his grandfather die and being unable to save him. He tells the boy that there is a beautiful woman in America who will take care of him. Then we see that Bruce (Johnny Yune) has become a chef in the U. S. and is struggling as he works for gangsters.
The gangsters figure that he'd be a great patsy to take their cocaine across the country, telling him that the woman he's looking for is in New York. They provide him with a limo, a driver named Freddy (Raf Mauro) and places where he has to drop off his Chinese flour across the country. As to why he's called Bruce, it's because everyone is racist and thinks he looks like Bruce Lee.
Bruce is followed by Karmen (Margaux Hemingway), who works for a rival gang and wants to ruin his deliveries, as well as federal agent Anita (Pam Huntington), who has already bugged him and placed a tracking device on him.
They Call Me Bruce? Was an HBO movie in my youth and by that, I mean it was on HBO all the time. Eight year old me laughed so hard when Bruce went into a telephone booth like Superman and came out dressed like a ninja. Older me, well, I still laughed.
There's also a karate dojo where Bruce tries to train. The master there is John Fujioka, who was Shinyuki in American Ninja. Bruce barely makes it five minutes before he's thrown out. That karate dojo would be used again for another movie, as its where Cobra Kai trains in The Karate Kid.
This played in 325 theaters and was a surprising success before going to cable and home video. Unfortunately, the sequel, They Still Call Me Bruce was not as popular.
The gangsters figure that he'd be a great patsy to take their cocaine across the country, telling him that the woman he's looking for is in New York. They provide him with a limo, a driver named Freddy (Raf Mauro) and places where he has to drop off his Chinese flour across the country. As to why he's called Bruce, it's because everyone is racist and thinks he looks like Bruce Lee.
Bruce is followed by Karmen (Margaux Hemingway), who works for a rival gang and wants to ruin his deliveries, as well as federal agent Anita (Pam Huntington), who has already bugged him and placed a tracking device on him.
They Call Me Bruce? Was an HBO movie in my youth and by that, I mean it was on HBO all the time. Eight year old me laughed so hard when Bruce went into a telephone booth like Superman and came out dressed like a ninja. Older me, well, I still laughed.
There's also a karate dojo where Bruce tries to train. The master there is John Fujioka, who was Shinyuki in American Ninja. Bruce barely makes it five minutes before he's thrown out. That karate dojo would be used again for another movie, as its where Cobra Kai trains in The Karate Kid.
This played in 325 theaters and was a surprising success before going to cable and home video. Unfortunately, the sequel, They Still Call Me Bruce was not as popular.
An absolute classic... One of the best ever...
bedens2 October 2006
Reading some of the reviews here reminds of some critic reviews of various children's movies, wherein they complain about childish plots, low humor or movies that didn't hold their attention, forgetting that they are, in fact, reviewing a children's movie.
This movie falls into similar areas, although it's clearly not a children's movie. It is meant to be a spoof, a parody, and it pokes fun at all kinds of people, be they Asian, Caucasian, African-American, Italian, or what have you. It's not meant to be an Oscar candidate. It's meant to be plain silly, slapstick fun. And in that regard, it's perfect.
No, Yune looks nothing like Bruce Lee. No, he's not even Chinese. But therein lies the humor. It's as much a send-up of Western stereotypes of Asians as anything (ever watch the "Average Asian" skits on MadTV with another Korean, Bobby Lee?).
Overall, I have loved this movie every time I've seen it (although the sequel isn't quite the classic), and I would rate it as a fall - out - of - my - seat - and - wet - myself type of comedy. You just have to let your mind go and enjoy it for what it is. Pure, silly, goofball slapstick... :)
This movie falls into similar areas, although it's clearly not a children's movie. It is meant to be a spoof, a parody, and it pokes fun at all kinds of people, be they Asian, Caucasian, African-American, Italian, or what have you. It's not meant to be an Oscar candidate. It's meant to be plain silly, slapstick fun. And in that regard, it's perfect.
No, Yune looks nothing like Bruce Lee. No, he's not even Chinese. But therein lies the humor. It's as much a send-up of Western stereotypes of Asians as anything (ever watch the "Average Asian" skits on MadTV with another Korean, Bobby Lee?).
Overall, I have loved this movie every time I've seen it (although the sequel isn't quite the classic), and I would rate it as a fall - out - of - my - seat - and - wet - myself type of comedy. You just have to let your mind go and enjoy it for what it is. Pure, silly, goofball slapstick... :)
Old gags, tired gags: but good gags.
wombat_122 November 2001
To answer the implied question about Australians in an earlier comment, I saw the film for what it was: a spoof comedy. I thoroughly enjoyed it as such. I didn't look for errors of continuity or consistency; that seemed rather pointless; or for any hidden meanings. I simply took the gags at face value and enjoyed them.
I would not draw any conclusions about "real" Asians from this movie; any more than you would say draw conclusions about any other nationalities from comedy movies. I guess that Woody Allen comedies would be a perfect example of how that would not work.
As for the best line, in my opinion it is:
"...and then I got run over by a Toyota. Oh, what a feeling".
I would not draw any conclusions about "real" Asians from this movie; any more than you would say draw conclusions about any other nationalities from comedy movies. I guess that Woody Allen comedies would be a perfect example of how that would not work.
As for the best line, in my opinion it is:
"...and then I got run over by a Toyota. Oh, what a feeling".
Funniest Movie ever
Shizaft9321 March 2001
I saw this movie for the first time about a week ago and it is the funniest movie I have ever seen! It can be goofy sometimes, but it is so ridiculously goofy that you still laugh. If you like comedies I HIGHLY recommend this movie for your viewing pleasure.
Lets ask Mikey to do it, he'll try anything
Lets ask Mikey to do it, he'll try anything
This guy is wrong
Darkmonarch20032 October 2004
First, I loved the movie. I thought it was hilarious. But then again, that was MANY years ago when I saw the movie. I miss funny movies from the 1980's, when it was easier to laugh at ourselves.
I think the dude who posted the bologna and deli comments missed the point. The movie wasn't meant to poke fun at Asians or Asian Americans. It poked fun at EVERYONE. And more specifically, everyone BUT Asian Americans, who were ignorant of all people of Asian decent. It reminds me of the line Gene Wilder had in " Blazing Saddles. " " They're common people, simple folk, people of the land... ya know? MORONS. "
Some people don't get it. Some see it as it is. And some people ( like myself ) just love the movie for nostalgia reasons. It was simple humor and funny. No one in the movie needed to curse like a sailor or shoot and kill people to entertain. TV and Movies NEED that these days. God Bless Johnny Yune wherever he may be... and thank you, sir.
I think the dude who posted the bologna and deli comments missed the point. The movie wasn't meant to poke fun at Asians or Asian Americans. It poked fun at EVERYONE. And more specifically, everyone BUT Asian Americans, who were ignorant of all people of Asian decent. It reminds me of the line Gene Wilder had in " Blazing Saddles. " " They're common people, simple folk, people of the land... ya know? MORONS. "
Some people don't get it. Some see it as it is. And some people ( like myself ) just love the movie for nostalgia reasons. It was simple humor and funny. No one in the movie needed to curse like a sailor or shoot and kill people to entertain. TV and Movies NEED that these days. God Bless Johnny Yune wherever he may be... and thank you, sir.
100% Hilarity
Baio3 March 2000
All I can say is that this movie and its sequel "They still call me Bruce" are an integral part of any B grade movie night.
Johnny Yune and the rest of the cast pull off classic gags at all too regular intervals.
I guarantee that you will be laughing for months.
Johnny Yune and the rest of the cast pull off classic gags at all too regular intervals.
I guarantee that you will be laughing for months.
"Me neither..."
Blueghost15 October 2017
I liked Johnny Yune, but it was the early 80s, and even though the likes of Bruce Lee had helped break some of the racial barriers, Yune and other Asian entertainers still wouldn't quite rocket to stardom, no matter how fun the film.
This is a pretty decent film, though there is some nudity and swearing, so it's not really a family film as such. And, as a 30 year vet of Tae Kwon Do I did borrow one or two of Yune's moves the first time I sparred. My instructor didn't think much of it (but I digress).
Drug running, mafiosos, an immigrant Asian on a quest to search for a special lady in New York. This film might have been his vehicle to stardom, but I only ever saw him in one other film after this, and that was the sequel to this very film. So, unlike the associate producer's comment in "The Canonball Run" DVD commentary track, Yune did NOT make it big, though I always appreciated his humor.
I'm not sure what else to add here. The film looks a bit old and has a slightly dated feel. And like Jackie Chan's film the martial art's sequences are typical Americanized slow and relatively un- dynamic compared to the their Asian counterparts.
The other thing is that it is a bit low budget. It doesn't have the gloss of Jackie Chan's film, largely because Yune is more of a standup comedian in spite of whatever martial arts' training he may have. Even so, for a martial arts' comedy film it's okay.
Maybe see it once and give it a shot.
This is a pretty decent film, though there is some nudity and swearing, so it's not really a family film as such. And, as a 30 year vet of Tae Kwon Do I did borrow one or two of Yune's moves the first time I sparred. My instructor didn't think much of it (but I digress).
Drug running, mafiosos, an immigrant Asian on a quest to search for a special lady in New York. This film might have been his vehicle to stardom, but I only ever saw him in one other film after this, and that was the sequel to this very film. So, unlike the associate producer's comment in "The Canonball Run" DVD commentary track, Yune did NOT make it big, though I always appreciated his humor.
I'm not sure what else to add here. The film looks a bit old and has a slightly dated feel. And like Jackie Chan's film the martial art's sequences are typical Americanized slow and relatively un- dynamic compared to the their Asian counterparts.
The other thing is that it is a bit low budget. It doesn't have the gloss of Jackie Chan's film, largely because Yune is more of a standup comedian in spite of whatever martial arts' training he may have. Even so, for a martial arts' comedy film it's okay.
Maybe see it once and give it a shot.
it's still a good fun film, despite its b-movie status
opdiva29 December 2003
Some of these people are being way too critical over the quality of the script and social stereotypes. People should take it for what it is...it's a spoof. It's not like they have money to recruit big-name stars. It's a movie that should be enjoyed by the public...it's not an oscar contender. Are the gags mundane? yes. Are there asian stereotypes? Yes. The movie plays on these stereotypes and they know that's how the general public viewed them at the time. Someone commented on how Johnny's acting was bad...but excuse me...there was no royal academy of acting in korea. Like Margaret Cho said, "There was war." And also...where do people get the idea that the character Bruce is Korean? Don't people see the Chinese motif in the story? Chinese flour, Chinese noodles, Chinese food? Marco Polo? The actor is Korean, yes, but they said nothing of Bruce being Korean.
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