From the stilted dialogue, through the ridiculous storyline, the amazing disco sequence and a rousing finale the sheer spirit of this FUN FUN FUN movie shines through. Forget all the computer generated fights of today, this how it was and should be. Over the top, funny, satisfying and possible. They don't make 'em like this anymore, and more's the shame.
128 Reviews
Enter the Jason.
BA_Harrison16 January 2015
Although Jean-Claude Van Damme's image takes prominence on the cover of the DVD (front and back), the Belgian martial arts star only shows up briefly at the very beginning of the film, and for the entertaining finalé; the real 'star' of No Retreat, No Surrender is the lesser known Kurt McKinney, who plays young, headstrong karate student Jason, who, with a little help from break-dancer RJ (J.W. Fails) and Bruce Lee's ghost (Tai Chung Kim), helps defeat the New York gangsters who have been seizing control of the country's dojos for use as fronts for their criminal activities.
While the lack of Van Damage in the majority of the film could be off-putting for some, anyone who enjoys a large dollop of 80s cheeze should definitely stay on board...
Directed by Cory Yuen, No Retreat, No Surrender only proves mildly satisfying as a martial arts movie, with just a few unmemorable fights between Jason and local bullies before his inevitable showdown with hired heavy Ivan Kraschinsky (Van Damme). However, when the feet and fists aren't flying, the film is side-splittingly funny, with lousy performances (McKinney is much better at kicking than acting), a dumb plot (clearly inspired by The Karate Kid), ridiculous characters, the silly supernatural element, and hilarious 80s music and fashion unintentionally making this a lot more enjoyable than it really has any right to be.
The film's dumbest, and therefore most entertaining moments include a hilarious nightclub scene that sees RJ busting some moves in full Michael Jackson regalia, and the unforgettable sight of Jason training with RJ perched on his lap (their friendship clearly being taken to the next level).
While the lack of Van Damage in the majority of the film could be off-putting for some, anyone who enjoys a large dollop of 80s cheeze should definitely stay on board...
Directed by Cory Yuen, No Retreat, No Surrender only proves mildly satisfying as a martial arts movie, with just a few unmemorable fights between Jason and local bullies before his inevitable showdown with hired heavy Ivan Kraschinsky (Van Damme). However, when the feet and fists aren't flying, the film is side-splittingly funny, with lousy performances (McKinney is much better at kicking than acting), a dumb plot (clearly inspired by The Karate Kid), ridiculous characters, the silly supernatural element, and hilarious 80s music and fashion unintentionally making this a lot more enjoyable than it really has any right to be.
The film's dumbest, and therefore most entertaining moments include a hilarious nightclub scene that sees RJ busting some moves in full Michael Jackson regalia, and the unforgettable sight of Jason training with RJ perched on his lap (their friendship clearly being taken to the next level).
Classic
solomonkain21 June 2005
Before watching the movie I had in my mind that this was just going to be another dodgy movie but with a bit of van damme thrown in. How wrong. This movie truly is a classic, the cheesy music, (especially the end credits) brilliant montage scenes and especially the fighting itself. This isn't your traditionally badly choreographed Van Dammeesque movie but a very well done job. The fight scenes a lengthy and extremely enjoyable, and everyone in the movie can kick and punch very well. The main character Kurt McKinney (Jason) turns up the style later in the movie by pulling off some unbelievable training exercises, such as his two-finger one handed push ups! OK - so the acting is very ropey - but who cares! If you're looking for an enjoyable evening in and a self motivational movie - this is the one!
Wargames...
fmarkland321 August 2006
Kurt McKinney stars as Jason Stillwell a typical 80's teen who worships Bruce Lee, sports a mullet has a break dancing black friend and is in fact getting his ass kicked by bullies that is until the ghost of Bruce Lee teaches him the tricks of the trade and improving his skill immensely. Enter Jean-Claude Van Damme a Russian kickboxer who Kurt goes up against to prove himself. Despite having a fondness for Jean-Claude Van Damme, this is a movie I never got the chance to see, I honestly don't remember when it came out and therefore it was an obscurity until Van Damme really hit it big. I still hadn't seen No Retreat No Surrender because I never got around to it. Now after Van Damme's career has come full circle (From Hollywood star to straight to video) I finally got around to seeing it. No Retreat No Surrender is unfortunately not very good. It is often times hilarious but generally not on purpose. I must admit though that fight sequences at the end are impressive and Van Damme despite having minimal screen time ends up stealing what little show there is. Other absurd notions to surface is "The ghost of Bruce Lee" subplot, the mobsters from New York wanting to take the gym from Seattle. However what is even funnier is that the New York agent says "We have radio shows covering it, as well as every paper!" only the next scene finds our heroes fighting in a high school gym, complete with fold in chairs. That's just rich. Still there are some amusing moments that surface just enough to make it a hilarious camp-fest or a decent Karate Kid rip off, which it aims for. Also the whole Russian angle seems to have been ripped off from Rocky IV which was also terrible .(Though far more boring)
*1/2 out of 4-(Poor)
*1/2 out of 4-(Poor)
One of the greatest 80s-movies ever, with a terrific soundtrack!
BoDuke-330 August 2004
"No Retreat, No Surrender" is one of the greatest films I've ever seen. It's surely not very demanding or high-grade, but that doesn't really matter at all. It gives you such a great feeling of the 80s with all the typical clothes, sayings and especially the fantastic music. I like the story of the underdog becoming the winner. The film tells in a very simple way to never give up. It also has a pretty funny side. It is the only film known by me, with two different soundtracks. The US-version is different to the European one. I like the last one more, with the great song "Hold on to the vision" by Kevin Chalfant. It was unfortunately never available on CD or in any other way. Together with the great 80s-movies "BMX Bandits" and "Stand by me" this film is one of the most important movies of my childhood and also youth. When I saw "No Retreat, No Surrender" ("Karate Tiger" in Germany) for the first time, it was the reason for me to join a Karate Dojo for 4 years! I think that's it... this movie rocks!!! 80s 4ever!
Lol!!
reddiemurf812 June 2020
This movie has helped me through some hard times
dark171423 April 2001
I most start this off by saying, I think this is one of the best movies every made, its in my top 10 favorite movies of all time. I watched this movie like everyday after shcool when I was a kid. its great.. its so entertaining, and never gets old. it has a great story, great action scenes, great music, and memereble lines and characters. I still watch this movie all the time. When lifes at its low points, and I'm feeling down, when I watch this movie, it gives me the inspiration to not give up and keep pushing on. I love this movie, its got me through some hard times.
A campy, cliched classic
bowmanblue20 May 2020
If you've seen any of the marketing material surrounding 'No Retreat, No Surrender' then you'd probably think that it was going to be a martial arts epic in the same league as Jean Claude Van Damme's similar films such as 'Bloodsport' and 'Kickboxer.' His face is - normally - all over the cover in order to 'lure you in.' However, despite him showing up in the first scene, you won't be getting much more from 'the Muscles From Brussels' until the final showdown.
Instead, you get a weird mish-mash of a martial arts story that could be anything from 'teen comedy' to 'supernatural drama.' Apparently, gangs of organised criminals want to take over all karate centres in America and force a young man's family out of L.A. to Seattle where he takes lessons from Bruce Lee's ghost in order to face down those who wronged his father.
The film kind of bounces from one genre to another. It starts with some graphic violence and later switches to a wacky slapstick comedy at the expense of an overweight local bully. In fact... if I could use one word to sum up 'No Retreat, No Surrender,' then it would be 'cliché.' It's practically an hour and a half long list of one cinematic cliché after the next. Sometimes it's almost like it's trying to use every last movie trope of the eighties in order to form some sort of filmic Frankenstein's monster of madness.
If you're a fan of JCVD then you may get some bonus enjoyment out of watching one of his earliest performances. Yes, there are some martial arts scenes, but they hardly make up the bulk of the film and almost seem like an afterthought to the 'coming of age romantic teen comedy-drama.' Sometimes a film might be bad, but that doesn't mean that it's not enjoyable. If you're in the mood for one of those 'so-bad-they're-good' films then this one is right up there with the best of them (or should that be WORST of them?). It's very silly, but also very entertaining, so if you're in the mood for something daft and forgiving then you could do worse than this delightful pile of eighties nonsense.
Instead, you get a weird mish-mash of a martial arts story that could be anything from 'teen comedy' to 'supernatural drama.' Apparently, gangs of organised criminals want to take over all karate centres in America and force a young man's family out of L.A. to Seattle where he takes lessons from Bruce Lee's ghost in order to face down those who wronged his father.
The film kind of bounces from one genre to another. It starts with some graphic violence and later switches to a wacky slapstick comedy at the expense of an overweight local bully. In fact... if I could use one word to sum up 'No Retreat, No Surrender,' then it would be 'cliché.' It's practically an hour and a half long list of one cinematic cliché after the next. Sometimes it's almost like it's trying to use every last movie trope of the eighties in order to form some sort of filmic Frankenstein's monster of madness.
If you're a fan of JCVD then you may get some bonus enjoyment out of watching one of his earliest performances. Yes, there are some martial arts scenes, but they hardly make up the bulk of the film and almost seem like an afterthought to the 'coming of age romantic teen comedy-drama.' Sometimes a film might be bad, but that doesn't mean that it's not enjoyable. If you're in the mood for one of those 'so-bad-they're-good' films then this one is right up there with the best of them (or should that be WORST of them?). It's very silly, but also very entertaining, so if you're in the mood for something daft and forgiving then you could do worse than this delightful pile of eighties nonsense.
No Retreat, No Surrender (1986)
fntstcplnt28 August 2019
Directed by Corey Yuen. Starring Kurt McKinney, J.W. Fails, Kent Lipham, Timothy D. Baker, Tai Chung Kim, Kathie Sileno, Ron Pohnel, Jean-Claude van Damme, Dale Jacoby. (PG)
Exceedingly earnest but inept martial arts hokum about teenage McKinney being taught karate by Bruce Lee's ghost--no, seriously--so he can defend himself against bullies and gangsters (of course). What isn't recycled from "Karate Kid" and multiple "Rocky" movies is just embarrassingly silly (is the ghost supposed to be real or a figment of the kid's imagination? Nope, doesn't matter), while the acting and storytelling are pure amateur hour. Van Damme's first movie role of any substance; he only appears at the beginning and the climax and says all of about ten words but gets in plenty of high-kicks and splits (therefore, it must be considered one of his savviest performances). There's some decent action choreography in the final fight scenes, but the only reason to watch that far is to repeatedly laugh at the ineptitude on-hand before it. An endurance test for those who don't like cheese/camp; not the worst way to waste an hour-and-a-half for those who do.
32/100
Exceedingly earnest but inept martial arts hokum about teenage McKinney being taught karate by Bruce Lee's ghost--no, seriously--so he can defend himself against bullies and gangsters (of course). What isn't recycled from "Karate Kid" and multiple "Rocky" movies is just embarrassingly silly (is the ghost supposed to be real or a figment of the kid's imagination? Nope, doesn't matter), while the acting and storytelling are pure amateur hour. Van Damme's first movie role of any substance; he only appears at the beginning and the climax and says all of about ten words but gets in plenty of high-kicks and splits (therefore, it must be considered one of his savviest performances). There's some decent action choreography in the final fight scenes, but the only reason to watch that far is to repeatedly laugh at the ineptitude on-hand before it. An endurance test for those who don't like cheese/camp; not the worst way to waste an hour-and-a-half for those who do.
32/100
Amazing comedy
stevecooksley1 January 2022
Watched this on Prime last night and was in fits of laughter from start to finish. Brought back so many memories from the mid-eighties including BMX bikes, breakdancing, terrible hair, terrible music and questionable values.
Couple this with some of the worst acting, editing, scriptwriting, sound recording and direction you've ever seen and you've got yourself a modern classic. 6/10.
Couple this with some of the worst acting, editing, scriptwriting, sound recording and direction you've ever seen and you've got yourself a modern classic. 6/10.
Was this written by a 10 year-old?
bensonmum22 July 2017
The basic plot of No Retreat, No Surrender is horribly familiar with bits of silliness thrown in for good measure. It goes something like this: a young man in a new town is pushed around and made to feel an outcast. Through training, hard work, and the help of Bruce Lee's ghost (who he prays to?), he makes himself into a karate expert. In the end, he alone will be forced to face-off against the New York-based karate thug to save the Seattle dojo from being taken over by organized crime. Sound ridiculous? It is.
I must be missing something, because I'm at a loss to explain all the positive comments on IMDb for No Retreat, No Surrender. Other than some pretty decent fight choreography, I can't find much else positive to say about the film. I know it was one of Jean-Claude Van Damme's first roles, but let's be honest, outside of the fights at the end, he's barely even in the thing. The acting is pathetic, some of the characters are cringy, the dialogue sounds like it was written by a 10 year-old, and the whole Bruce Lee's ghost bit is beyond ridiculous. It doesn't help that the dude they hired to play Bruce looks nothing like Bruce. A real stinker.
I must be missing something, because I'm at a loss to explain all the positive comments on IMDb for No Retreat, No Surrender. Other than some pretty decent fight choreography, I can't find much else positive to say about the film. I know it was one of Jean-Claude Van Damme's first roles, but let's be honest, outside of the fights at the end, he's barely even in the thing. The acting is pathetic, some of the characters are cringy, the dialogue sounds like it was written by a 10 year-old, and the whole Bruce Lee's ghost bit is beyond ridiculous. It doesn't help that the dude they hired to play Bruce looks nothing like Bruce. A real stinker.
Revenge of the 80's: Jean Claude Van Damme, Superstar.
Captain_Couth9 February 2005
No Retreat, No Surrender (1985) was a Seasonal Films production that was filmed in the United States. Corey Yuen was the director and Hoi Meng was the co-action director. This film marked the Western debut of future superstar Jean Claude Van Damme. This was also the first of three official No Retreat, No Surrender films.
A kid witnesses his dad being brutally beaten by a group of thugs and their new fighter, a big mean Soviet kick-fighter (J.C.V.D.) The kid does what anybody else would do if they saw their own dad nearly beaten to death, swear a blood revenge against those who put him in traction. There's one problem, the kid can't punch his way out of a paper bag and his fighting skills are virtually non-existence. What's a kid to do? Turn to a higher power! Will that be the stuff needed to beat down the mean Red fighter and avenge his father?
The fight scenes are realistic looking and bone crunching. The direction is real good and the acting is okay. A Hong Kong style movie made in America. J.C.V.D. is pretty scary and mean looking in his big debut. He'll make a bigger splash in his first true success Bloodsport.
If you enjoy old school kung fu movies where the son has to avenge his father with a blood oath, then this one's for you. Followed by No Retreat, No Surrender 2.
A kid witnesses his dad being brutally beaten by a group of thugs and their new fighter, a big mean Soviet kick-fighter (J.C.V.D.) The kid does what anybody else would do if they saw their own dad nearly beaten to death, swear a blood revenge against those who put him in traction. There's one problem, the kid can't punch his way out of a paper bag and his fighting skills are virtually non-existence. What's a kid to do? Turn to a higher power! Will that be the stuff needed to beat down the mean Red fighter and avenge his father?
The fight scenes are realistic looking and bone crunching. The direction is real good and the acting is okay. A Hong Kong style movie made in America. J.C.V.D. is pretty scary and mean looking in his big debut. He'll make a bigger splash in his first true success Bloodsport.
If you enjoy old school kung fu movies where the son has to avenge his father with a blood oath, then this one's for you. Followed by No Retreat, No Surrender 2.
Cool, Suave and Random
clauzy8212 April 2024
This is surprisingly better than I expected and the fight choreography is excellent.
Now the film is as random as $#@% and a mess in parts. Beginning like a serious crime martial arts flick. Followed by an 80's teen camp movie and finally a Rocky but with martial arts rip off, with Karate Kid and Scrooge: A Christmas Carol scattered in for good measure.
A karate school run by Tom Stillwell (Timothy D. Baker) is attacked by thugs with henchman Ivan Kraschinsky the Russian (Jean-Claude Van Damme) showing him in prime condition. Tom flees with his son and main protagonist Jason (Kurt McKinney) to Seattle to start their new life.
Queue the teen camp portion of the movie without the gratuitous nudity. Entering Jason's friend R. J Madisson "Don't worry, R. J will provide," with his suspect dancing skills and his ability to shapeshift skin tone while break dancing shows he could be a magician (maybe he summoned Bruce Lee). We are also introduced to the teenage (I use teenage loosely) antagonists of Scott (Kent Lipham) and Dean Ramsey (Dale Jacobey), and Jason's girlfriend the stunning Kelly Reilly (Kathie Sileno).
Once Jason gets kicked around a few times we are introduced to Sensai Lee (Tae-Jeong Kim) and a plethora of brilliant training montagues not too far removed from Rocky IV, although this could of actually been filmed before Rocky's 4th installement with this film having the delayed release. In between each montague we are pampered with more plot building between break dancing, make up dancing and Jason's mother who appears out of thin air just after the hour mark and disappears again.
Finally we are taken to the Rocky section of the film as the Seattle Sidekicks with Dean, Frank Peters (Peter Cunningham) and their captain and national champion Ian Reilly (Tom Pohnel) take on the Manhattan Maulers. The Sidekicks who look like ballerina dancers with their pirouette skills are no match for the Manhattan team who enter like pro wrestling heels. Somehow if the evil New Yorkers win this contest they'll have total control of Seattle. Making out that the Karate clubs are in fact the true secret of power in America, holding sway over the local Senate and the local underworld. You learn something knew everyday.
The final finale Ivan vs Jason, will Jason save his girl, Seattle and his reputation.
Overall this full of cheese film is very fun and it flows, even with the horrible editing and the story most likely written on 15 separate napkins in which several where lost during production. The choreography is excellent and for yanks in the 80's it's hall of fame stuff. The acting is hit or miss but nothing to throw you off. It is a random all over the shop B-movie gem. I also have my suspicions it played a roll in influencing the Street Fighter franchise with the music and sone characters. If you like Kung Fu, Chopsocky or plain aul Beat 'Em Ups this is a must watch, if you love bad but good, also a must watch.
Kurt McKinney. Where the hell is his catalogue of martial art movies???
Cheese of the melt 17.5: keep and eye open for some of those body doubles. And the thought sequence when Tom Stillwell is in hospital.
I could rate this higher on a later watch 7*
Now the film is as random as $#@% and a mess in parts. Beginning like a serious crime martial arts flick. Followed by an 80's teen camp movie and finally a Rocky but with martial arts rip off, with Karate Kid and Scrooge: A Christmas Carol scattered in for good measure.
A karate school run by Tom Stillwell (Timothy D. Baker) is attacked by thugs with henchman Ivan Kraschinsky the Russian (Jean-Claude Van Damme) showing him in prime condition. Tom flees with his son and main protagonist Jason (Kurt McKinney) to Seattle to start their new life.
Queue the teen camp portion of the movie without the gratuitous nudity. Entering Jason's friend R. J Madisson "Don't worry, R. J will provide," with his suspect dancing skills and his ability to shapeshift skin tone while break dancing shows he could be a magician (maybe he summoned Bruce Lee). We are also introduced to the teenage (I use teenage loosely) antagonists of Scott (Kent Lipham) and Dean Ramsey (Dale Jacobey), and Jason's girlfriend the stunning Kelly Reilly (Kathie Sileno).
Once Jason gets kicked around a few times we are introduced to Sensai Lee (Tae-Jeong Kim) and a plethora of brilliant training montagues not too far removed from Rocky IV, although this could of actually been filmed before Rocky's 4th installement with this film having the delayed release. In between each montague we are pampered with more plot building between break dancing, make up dancing and Jason's mother who appears out of thin air just after the hour mark and disappears again.
Finally we are taken to the Rocky section of the film as the Seattle Sidekicks with Dean, Frank Peters (Peter Cunningham) and their captain and national champion Ian Reilly (Tom Pohnel) take on the Manhattan Maulers. The Sidekicks who look like ballerina dancers with their pirouette skills are no match for the Manhattan team who enter like pro wrestling heels. Somehow if the evil New Yorkers win this contest they'll have total control of Seattle. Making out that the Karate clubs are in fact the true secret of power in America, holding sway over the local Senate and the local underworld. You learn something knew everyday.
The final finale Ivan vs Jason, will Jason save his girl, Seattle and his reputation.
Overall this full of cheese film is very fun and it flows, even with the horrible editing and the story most likely written on 15 separate napkins in which several where lost during production. The choreography is excellent and for yanks in the 80's it's hall of fame stuff. The acting is hit or miss but nothing to throw you off. It is a random all over the shop B-movie gem. I also have my suspicions it played a roll in influencing the Street Fighter franchise with the music and sone characters. If you like Kung Fu, Chopsocky or plain aul Beat 'Em Ups this is a must watch, if you love bad but good, also a must watch.
Kurt McKinney. Where the hell is his catalogue of martial art movies???
Cheese of the melt 17.5: keep and eye open for some of those body doubles. And the thought sequence when Tom Stillwell is in hospital.
I could rate this higher on a later watch 7*
Lol
orale_vato_loco7 October 2006
Plain and simple this movie was complete toss-fest and although one of my favorite action stars Mr. muscles from Brussels was in it i still felt like killing myself when i saw the the Dad try and act.LMFAO i nearly died the enthusiasm *cough cough* and crap fest he showed makes you think is there a God. I know it might have been a low budget action movie and set in the 80's but come on Bruce Lee comes back from the dead FFS i mean I've seen some funny 80's action movies but when i saw this for the first time i thought WTF am i doing. Nearly all of the other Van Damme movies besides Black Eagle which had to BE his worst movie ever i love he was really the only reason why i sat down and watched the rest of the movie if he want in it then i wouldn't have bothered LOL
fantastic martial art flick from the eighties'
kai-tangvik6 May 2005
Just finished viewing no retreat,no surrender whom i borrowed from by good friend "Thorstein" today.The last time i watched it was approximately ten years ago on a lousy video tape,and seeing it on DVD gave me a hell of a ride.We all know that these movies lack about everything a movie lover craves,but the intensity and the choreography of the fighting is just plain awesome! I too see the similarities ti Rocky 4 with the Russian fighter etc,but remember that Ivan grabbed Jasons girl by the hair,wouldn't you step into the ring to defend your girl? Simultanously i have to say that our belgium phenomen has delivered the film-histories best side-kicks.Worth the whole movie by itself! Beside "American warrior" this is the greatest martial art movie of all time!Sorry Jet Li!And once again thanks to my dear friend Thorstein(who simply adores van damme)for lending me this one!
Before there was grunge, martial arts ruled Seattle!!!!
levelheader9931 March 2006
No Retreat, No Surrender is not a true Van Damme movie although he plays a small role in it as the bad guy. It's more of a "Karate Kid"/"Breakin'"/any teen revenge film you've ever seen kind of movie. If you can overlook the horrendous acting on everyone's part, and the things that just sort of happen by coincidence, you'll grow to love this 80's cheese-fest.
This movie is unintentionally hilarious, and is a must see for 80's martial arts fans. Jason, the main character, has a black friend R.J. who is a skateboarder/breakdancer/rapper/Michael Jackson impersonator, truly a one of a kind! The boom mic has almost as much camera time in this film as Van Damme. The playground push-ups scene with R.J. and Jason is a 10 out of 10 on the gay-as-hell meter, you have to see it. And finally the huge main event, martial arts competition, final showdown is held where?... A high school gym!! Love it.
The Australian "Force Video" DVD release is excellent and uncut. Very nice picture quality.
This movie is unintentionally hilarious, and is a must see for 80's martial arts fans. Jason, the main character, has a black friend R.J. who is a skateboarder/breakdancer/rapper/Michael Jackson impersonator, truly a one of a kind! The boom mic has almost as much camera time in this film as Van Damme. The playground push-ups scene with R.J. and Jason is a 10 out of 10 on the gay-as-hell meter, you have to see it. And finally the huge main event, martial arts competition, final showdown is held where?... A high school gym!! Love it.
The Australian "Force Video" DVD release is excellent and uncut. Very nice picture quality.
Oh, boy
pmtelefon22 December 2019
I'm not a fan of watching campy movies. I can laugh an inept movie for a few minutes but then I get bored. Some people might watch "No Retreat, No Surrender" as camp. I don't but that doesn't mean that it's a good movie. It's not. It does, however, have a certain charm that makes the ridiculousness watchable. I watch "No Retreat, No Surrender" every once in a while. I won't say that it hits the spot but it's a strangely almost satisfying watch.
Classic 80's American kung fu film
AlbertV7919 May 2003
I loved it...the original film of the series is a great find for martial arts fanatics. Seeing this for the 1st time at the age of 7 and finding it on video 7 years later on a class trip to D.C., I had to get it.
Corey Yuen's 1st international film, the film features present soap opera Kurt McKinney and a young Jean-Claude Van Damme as the teen Rocky and Ivan Drago-kung fu style. Loved the little comparison of "Seattle Karate" and "L.A. Karate"...so reminiscent of those ol' kung fu films of yor. Excellent fight scenes and the Bruce-alike Tang Lung (aka Kim Tai Chung) as Bruce Lee's ghost makes this a classic 80's US kung fu flick.
Corey Yuen's 1st international film, the film features present soap opera Kurt McKinney and a young Jean-Claude Van Damme as the teen Rocky and Ivan Drago-kung fu style. Loved the little comparison of "Seattle Karate" and "L.A. Karate"...so reminiscent of those ol' kung fu films of yor. Excellent fight scenes and the Bruce-alike Tang Lung (aka Kim Tai Chung) as Bruce Lee's ghost makes this a classic 80's US kung fu flick.
Pure 80's fun
sveknu5 February 2006
This movie came as a surprise to me, simply because it was so entertaining. Despite that it's total low budget and has tons of cheesy moments, I just loved it from beginning to end. One of the reasons is because the movie had a typically 80's feel to it, and it didn't take itself seriously at all. Also, Jean Claude van Damme makes a really cool debut in this movie. He delivered a rather good performance as an evil Russian fighter. There aren't too much great martial arts in the movie, but the last scene is really good. This fight scene is much better than what I've seen in many other action movies, so give this movie a try if you like martial arts.
Bad movie staring the good action actor Jean-Claude Van Dam
monkey-man4 August 2005
I hired this movie on a really old video tape and i only hired it because Jean-Claude Van Dam is in it and before i watched it i thought that this movie would be great full of heaps of action scenes but the movie turned out to be a bit crap.I have seen most of Vam Dams movies and this movie has to be one of his worst movies and he is only in this movie for like 25 minutes or less.U should only watch this movie if u are a fan of martial arts movies or Jean-Claude Van Dam and the only good scenes in this movie are in the end of the movie. And over all this movie was bad but it is still an OK way to spend an hour and a half and my rating is 4 out of 10.
Not a bad effort.
steve-8627 May 2002
This is not such a good film now that I have seen it 17 years on. At the time I remember thinking it was excellent.
This was one of the first of the range of martial arts films that had a Rocky style soundtrack and lots of training scenes involving someone who had everything on the line to regain his honour or whatever it was he was fighting for. For this reason I think people judge this film harshly, because they say it has been done before. But this was done first and the others followed.
Anyway, this is a film about a young karate student (kurt McKinney), whose Dad, a karate instructor, is injured by a gang representing some mob. The family move but the problems continue with the son finding himself being picked on by others for standing up for his friend against the local bully. After a fight with another young man, a black belt from a nearby club, the son seeks help from the spirit of Bruce Lee. Roll on the training scenes and the Rocky style music. Add a full circle of events leading to a big fight climax and you have a fairly successful and watchable film. Just don't expect to see the best acting in the world. Jean-Claude Van Damme is hardly a great actor and he practically shines in this company.
I won't knock it too much because I recently bought a second hand copy because it is now unavailable in the UK. My money was not wasted.
This was one of the first of the range of martial arts films that had a Rocky style soundtrack and lots of training scenes involving someone who had everything on the line to regain his honour or whatever it was he was fighting for. For this reason I think people judge this film harshly, because they say it has been done before. But this was done first and the others followed.
Anyway, this is a film about a young karate student (kurt McKinney), whose Dad, a karate instructor, is injured by a gang representing some mob. The family move but the problems continue with the son finding himself being picked on by others for standing up for his friend against the local bully. After a fight with another young man, a black belt from a nearby club, the son seeks help from the spirit of Bruce Lee. Roll on the training scenes and the Rocky style music. Add a full circle of events leading to a big fight climax and you have a fairly successful and watchable film. Just don't expect to see the best acting in the world. Jean-Claude Van Damme is hardly a great actor and he practically shines in this company.
I won't knock it too much because I recently bought a second hand copy because it is now unavailable in the UK. My money was not wasted.
Completely unwatchable garbage
warlokc24 July 2001
I can assure anyone who has looked at the user rankings for this movie that the 10's are jokes. Indeed this movies is so bad that parts are funny, but I truly doubt that even those rating it a 10 have had the stomach to watch the entire feature. Out of morbid curiosity, I once did just that. This is a trauma I am still in therapy trying to recover from.
There is one reason to watch this film. If you wish to know how bad a film can be, then this is the golden standard by which all other should be judged.
I really can't be any more specific than that, I'm afraid. Any attempt to describe the plot of this movie will surely send me into convulsions.
There is one reason to watch this film. If you wish to know how bad a film can be, then this is the golden standard by which all other should be judged.
I really can't be any more specific than that, I'm afraid. Any attempt to describe the plot of this movie will surely send me into convulsions.
After three or more beers, this movie is flawless.
dcmccants12 June 2005
I don't know where to start with this cinematic masterpiece. When I first saw it(a million years ago) I thought it was so laughably bad that I enjoyed watching it. Then recently I had a few drinks then got the great idea of watching it again. I couldn't pull myself off of the floor from laughing so hard. Geez, the sound, video quality, acting, editing, EVERYTHING about this movie is bad. There should be a warning on the cover suggesting that viewers prepare themselves for the possibility of laughing themselves into a stupor.
Anyway, this movie is freaking great. Check this movie out without hesitation. If you watch it sober, you'll laugh at it normally, but when you got a few in ya, the laughs don't stop. You hear that punk, she KNOWS whos the best!!!
Anyway, this movie is freaking great. Check this movie out without hesitation. If you watch it sober, you'll laugh at it normally, but when you got a few in ya, the laughs don't stop. You hear that punk, she KNOWS whos the best!!!
Good film.
dasa10826 November 2022
I was fifteen years old when I first saw this film and the image of Jean Claude Van Damme in the ring is one of the most impressive images possible. The story is simple: there is a boy who must avenge a painful situation through a more than mysterious ghostly appearance of a Bruce Lee who returns from the dead to be a coach. Although the story is very simple, it is very directed by Corey Yuen who, when it comes to showing martial action, is one of the best in the world. The ending is a delight. I know many people who learned martial arts after watching this film. It is effective action and entertainment that is still exciting today. Good movie.
This is an outstanding film
quatermassandersen3 April 2000
No Retreat, No Surrender was a fantastic film which is one my absolute favorites. It reminds of the equally great The Karate Kid and Rocky 4 starring Sylvester Stallone. These three films came out during the mid 80`s and as we know most of the finest film was made from 84 to 90, No Retreat, No Surrender was no dissapointment.
When i rented it the first time when i was 12 me and my brother watched it 7 times in one day. The film is full of comedy and moving moments and the subject of martial arts is right down my alley, all around this is an outstanding picture that has all the right elements. The fact that most of the players are unknown doesn`t make a difference, they fit right in this film.
Kurt Mckinney is very fine in the lead role.
When i rented it the first time when i was 12 me and my brother watched it 7 times in one day. The film is full of comedy and moving moments and the subject of martial arts is right down my alley, all around this is an outstanding picture that has all the right elements. The fact that most of the players are unknown doesn`t make a difference, they fit right in this film.
Kurt Mckinney is very fine in the lead role.
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