Superfights (1995) User Reviews

Haha, unintentionally funny and kickass at the same time

[sveknu · 6/10 · 21 February 2010]

Have you seen the No Retreat, No Surrender movies and their unofficial sequels? This movie follows in the same tracks. If you enjoyed the former, you will like this. The thing about this is that it's even less serious than the other similar movies, something one didn't think was possible. It' film making at it's very worst (unprofessional, amateurish and extremely goofy) combined with martial arts action at it's very best (or at least close to it). The combination is great really, you shift back and forth from laughing out loud about how bad it is, to actually enjoying and admiring the cool fight scenes. A weird movie that I'll recommend if you enjoy martial arts flicks.

"Superfighter!" (the greatest theme song, ever)

[gorthu · 5/10 · 19 April 2009]

This is such an unbelievably stupid movie. Possibly the worst Seasonal movie I have seen that features English speaking actors. Seasonal did the No Retreat No Surrender movies, American Shaolin, and Bloodmoon. And I have to say that this is my least favorite. The fight scenes are quite good, and there are a lot of really talented action performers, but unfortunately the movie is so stupid it's hard to actually enjoy it. I highly enjoy movies that are so good that they are bad, but this isn't one of them. It starts out with a great cheesy scene showing the lead actor training by practicing his kicks and jumping off trampolines, but the cheese gets lower in quality as the movie goes on. The lead actor has good fighting skills, but he's so tiny and young looking, it's impossible to take him serious. On the positive side, the fights are really good. Cliff Lenderman (the muscular monk from Americal Shaolin), gets a ton of fight time. And when I say muscular, I mean that he is HUGE. And you can tell he is a real martial artist, and probably something of a body builder too. And there are guys who are even bigger than him. Also on hand are the amazing skills of Keith Vitali and Chuck Jefferys. So as long as you don't expect a good movie, just a ton good fights, you will probably enjoy it.

2.5/5 The DVD from Pathfinder has pretty good picture quality, and as always, Pathfinder delivers with the special features, this time with a commentary from producer/writer Keith Strandburg and actor Chuck Jeffreys. It's a real treat. They don't actually do a lot of talking, but good information provided when they do.

Throw in a Hong Kong director and a little bit of cheese....

[steve-545 · 24 December 1999]

Tony Leung along with Steve Wang (DRIVE, THE GUYVER II: DARK HERO) are responsible for some of the best direct to video martial arts films since Jackie Chan earlier films began to be released theatrically. SUPERFIGHTS is Tony Leung's American directorial debut followed by the stunning BLOODMOON. If you can excuse the storyline implausibility and Hong Kong-esque ridiculousness (e.g. the running sequence probably intended as a homage to ROCKY with everyone and I do mean everyone acknowledging our hero) then sit back and enjoy the ride martial arts fans because will make you giddy with adrenaline. Newcomer Brandon Gaines plays self trained martial artist Jack Cody, a dead end box boy aspiring to join the SUPERFIGHTERS. SUPERFIGHTS is a pro wrestling type entertainment company promoted by corrupt businessman and martial artist Robert Sawyer (Keith Vitali) whose illicit activities go far beyond that of the training room and fighting ring. Serendipity occurs for Jack one night when his heroics in saving an innocent girl by the name of Sally from a robbery is caught on tape turning him into a hero overnight. His skills also catch the eye of promoter Robert Saywer who makes him an offer he can't refuse. In becoming a superfighter, Jack eventually uncovers the true nature of the business forcing him to take a stand against Mr. Saywer and his army of drug enhanced, mind altered warriors. With the aid of Sally and her tai chi master grandfather, Jack Cody does just that and the results are spectacular. While the in-ring fighting choreography is commendable, the outside fights are dizzying. Brandon Gaines agility is a feast for the eyes along with female trainer Angel's physical prowess. Also worth mentioning are performances by UFC veteran Keith Hackney and ECW regular ROB VAN DAM (also seen in BLOODMOON). Make no mistake about it, Tony Leung can choreograph a fight sequence. I sure hope SEASONAL FILMS has this guy on a multi-film contract.

Truly, the finest martial arts movie of the 90s

[wong · 1/10 · 18 October 1999]

SUPERFIGHTS (***** out of *****)

In the history of martial arts cinema, there have been repeating symbols and themes. This is THE movie that employs these symbols and themes to perfection. The fights are stunningly choreographed, and the story compelling.

Many a person has said that this movie resembles The Karate Kid on steroids, but that is a most unfair comment. Superfights is about Jack Cody's growth as a human being.

Do yourself a favor, and SEE IT. RIGHT NOW.

Also Recommended: Bloodmoon

Not Recommended: The Karate Kid, Tigerheart

You'll laugh! You'll cry! You'll cry from laughter!

[udar55 · 8/10 · 19 April 2006]

Anyone familiar with the 90s output of HK based Seasonal Films (Gary Daniels' BLOODMOON, American SHAOLIN, KING OF THE KICKBOXERS II) will most likely know what to expect here: excellent fights and plenty of laughs. To paraphrase a friend who also took this film in, "How this 80s movie got made in the 90s is beyond me!" Honestly, I have not laughed this hard while watching a film in a long time. The first 15 minutes had me going scene after scene. Nearly everything thing about SUPERFIGHTS is funny. From the male lead "training" while working his day job as a box boy to the hilarious stereotypes regard wrestling to the amazing theme song ("Superfighter! Kick his ass!"), the film is completely wrongheaded in every aspect. Well, except for one. Like every Seasonal film, the fight choreography is exceptional. Director/fight choreographer Tony Leung Siu Hung captures some great moves from martial arts veterans such as Keith Vitali, Cliff Lenderman & Chuck Jeffreys along with newcomer Brandon Gaines. Gaines is extraordinarily agile, but can't act to save his life. One truly hasn't lived until you have seen Gaines run up the steps of a courthouse a la ROCKY while screaming "Woo hoo!" at the top of his lungs. Writer Keith W. Strandberg is also responsible for the equally hilarious NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER series, so that explains a lot. If you are a fan of high quality fights, then this is definitely recommended. However, if you are a fan of movies so funny that they will make you cry, then SUPERFIGHTS is highly recommended.

Anyone who dislikes Superfights truly has a heart of stone!

[tarbosh22000 · 10/10 · 6 July 2015]

John Jacob "Jack" Cody (Gaines) is a 20-year-old "box boy", i.e., he works in a factory. He's obsessed with Martial Arts, and even has a Rapid Fire (1992) poster on the wall at his job. He's particularly enamored of a televised event known as Superfights. Following a childhood encounter with a Superfighter, it's Jack's dream to follow in his footsteps. One night, he saves Sally Wong (Yu) from a gang of thugs assaulting her at an ATM. When the head of Superfights, Robert Sawyer (Vitali) sees Jack on the news, he recruits him. Sure, Jack has to sign a contract so thick, it looks like the printed-out version of the Apple terms and conditions, but he signs anyway, because it all seems like a dream come true. He meets the fighters Dark Cloud (Jeffreys) and Budokai (Lenderman), and begins training under Angel (Gallant). When a "surprise ninja" confronts Jack, he realizes something shady and wrong is going on behind the scenes at Superfights. Could it be the enforced drug use? Or the fact that Sawyer stages underground Punchfights to the death in his spare time? Could it be a protection racket - or something else? Meanwhile, Jack also begins training with Sally's wise old Grandfather (Lung-Kong). Will Jack live his dream - or will he find out it's a nightmare? If it's one thing that Superfighters - and Brandon Gaines - has, it's energy. He's so enthusiastic, he makes Tom Cruise look like Steven Wright. He also has some killer moves. Superfights is what the world needs now - it's cool, happy, exciting, fun, wildly upbeat, and the enthusiasm is downright infectious. So many movies today are dour, depressing, cynical, and negative. Superfights is the antidote to all that. There's seemingly a very well-choreographed fight scene every 30 seconds, and you grow to love Jack, Sally, and Grandfather. Brandon Gaines should, at the very least, have had the career that Loren Avedon had. Criminally - Criminally! - this is his only movie role. The world needs his earnest eagerness more than ever before. Where are you, Brandon? Please come back! Before Jack becomes his Superfights character "The All-American Hero", his old co-worker calls him "Jean-Claude Van Dunce". Would that Van Damme display Gaines's level of intensity! Chuck Jeffreys is his normal charismatic self, but it's hard to compete with Gaines as the plucky hero and Vitali as the super-evil, Vince McMahon-like baddie. He insists all the fighters in his stable take Superfights "vitamins". Gallant as Angel was an interesting casting choice - she looks like a buffer Arianna Huffington. Or, if you will, Arianna Buffington.

There's a great title song (with hilariously literal lyrics) that plays THREE times, there are TWO freeze frames, multiple montages, Jack never is, or becomes, a jerk, and there is a truly awesome final warehouse fight. Superfights thoroughly delivers the goods and is impeccably entertaining the entire time. We're impressed.

Anyone who dislikes Superfights truly has a heart of stone, and has given up on life, and we feel sorry for you. Superfights is superfun.

Absolutely hilarious, a must see if you like B action movies

[FistOfNoRemorse · 9/10 · 12 January 2009]

I first watched this movie in the late 90's because one of the stars, Cliff Lenderman as "No Mercy Budokai", was my martial arts instructor. After watching it I immediately bought a copy. It is downright hilarious! I don't think the movie is supposed to be a comedy but it is seriously funny. The movie has some good fight scenes and the star is quite skilled at martial arts. Overall it's a decent movie despite the bad acting. The acting isn't so bad that it makes it painful to watch though. It has some good action, some hilarious and highly quotable lines, and it makes me laugh till I'm in tears. All my friends and family enjoyed this movie and we've watched it more than once. It does have a B-movie style and seems 1980's but it's definitely worth watching. One of the funniest martial arts movies I've seen, at least out of the ones that aren't supposed to be funny!

I attended a premier showing of Superfights.

[McCormacksWay · 17 August 2001]

I studied under Master Cliff Lenderman who played one of the major roles in the movie. As a student of his at the time of the release, I was able to attend the local premier showing.

If you like all out, non-stop, fight action, with some incredibly talented fighters, you need to see this movie. If you like a good, solid story line, with plenty of human interest and a good old fashioned, boy-meets-girl story, you also need to see this movie.

I gave it three thumbs up!

Fantastic!!!!

[dasa108 · 10/10 · 23 April 2021]

What an extraordinary film. It has it all: a simple story that highlights the most important thing: foreshadowing a series of fights that end in an extraordinary final sequence. The director, who has had to deal with unin collaborator Western actors for Hong Kong standars such as Loren Avedon or Brendan Gaiines offers us a fantastic job here. A film is good to the extent that it fulfills its goal of surprising and entertaining. And based on this, the movie is wonderful. The director's talent allows the best for Brendan Gaines and one of my all-time favorites, Keith Vitali. I highly recommend it to every action movie lover.

So bad it's funny

[jasonsensei · 8 May 2003]

I found this video in a bargain bin for $1. That's about the real value of it. I only bought it because I wanted to see Keith Hackney, a former UFC fighter, try his hand at acting. His role is so small that he isn't given much of a chance to fail. Lucky for him because the others fail miserably. This movie is even worse than Ken Shamrock's 'Champions' if that means anything to you. The fights scenes are flashy but embarrassingly bad. They have some young guy wearing a long white wig and beard pretending to be an old Chinese Martial Arts master and it's hilarious.

Seasonal and its newcomers

[AlbertV79 · 27 October 1999]

Seasonal Films have a reputation of brining newcomers to films and the film makes the star look good. Take SUPERFIGHTS. Karate expert Brandon Gaines makes his film debut and in the beginning alone, he is impressive with his leg hopping a la Tan Tao-Liang. The plot is somewhat what you would hear about the pro wrestling circuit, but it is up to Gaines to solve it his way. Forget the plot and concentrate on the action sequences as they were magnificent. I give SUPERFIGHTS a 8 out of 10.