Undefeatable (1993) User Reviews

Apparently, the Concept of Production Values Was Lost in Translation!

[Tony-Kiss-Castillo · 4/10 · 4 December 2023]

From Pasto, Colombia Via: L. A. CA-CALI, COLOMBIA+ORLANDO, FL

As far back as I can remember, my Colombian mother always told me: "Ay, Mijo! If you don't habe someseen nice to say...don't say anyseeng!" Obviously, my Mom never saw "Undefeatable"! The only bright spot I could detect in the entire film is when Cynthia Rothrock's character is asked by police to identify the body of her dead sister. Amazingly, her reaction is extremely raw, powerful, realistic and very believable. She must have dug deep within herself to reference some personal tragedy.

Other than that, her overall performance is rather lackluster, to say the least...and she is the best "ACTOR" in the film, by far!

Perhaps a case could also be made for the natural, unenhanced martial arts sequences. They are a rather refreshing contrast to the slick, over-produced, sound effects and post-production embellished scenes we've gotten from both Hollywood and Hong Kong for decades.

Oh! And the music soundtrack is, at times, passable. (I'll bet it was borrowed from another film, though!) The Director is Godfrey Hall (Real name: Godfrey Ho). Apparently, the concept of Production Values was lost in translation, as they are appallingly abysmal.

I really wasn't in the mood for a "So bad it's really good" flick. Since 13 out of 19 reviews rated this 10* (Amazon and NF) I was expecting, at least, a solid 7* action movie. Boy, whatever you 10* raters ingested before seeing this...can you share some with me? 3.5* rounded up to 4*.....ENJOY! / DISFRUTELA?!?!

Any comments, questions or observations, in English or Español, are most welcome!

You're Undefeatable...Oooh!

[fmarkland32 · 3/10 · 16 June 2009]

Cynthia Rothrock plays a street-fighter who teams up with a martial arts expert cop (John Miller) to avenge the death of her sister at the hands of a diabolical cage fighter who seemingly calls his wife "Mommy" and who snaps after his wife walks out on him, so he kills every woman who even looks like her. He also calls himself Stingray and spray paints red lines in his permed mullet. Oh boy, what can I say? I actually saw this martial arts gem when I was a teen, at the time it was merely a throwaway kung fu flick but with the You Tube revival of this movie, I eagerly awaited the June 16th DVD release and now that I have it, I can say, that paying the 10 dollars I paid, I got my money's worth. This thing is utterly surreal. One minute we see a woman talking to her shrink, than the curly haired psycho fighting a black guy, Rothrock fighting a guy with football pads and Sting Ray smashing a table and remembering how his mother deserted him for her boyfriend. All of this is done in the most incompetently hilarious fashion. This movie would merely be a lame kung fu take on 10 To Midnight, if it wasn't for the acting of Don Niam. Niam is about as subtle as a jackhammer, his eyes go to maximum density, his voice is soft spoken and every single moment he's on screen the movie is hands down funnier than any comedy ever made. For some reason he calls every redhead dresses like Niam's estranged wife, and for some reason everyone knows martial arts, whether it be Rothrock's sister to the female shrink. Don Niam is the movie, he's the reason the climatic fight is so funny. In fact had this movie featured a good actor the movie might've been offensive but with Niam, he somehow makes the unsavory material of rape, murder and eye gouging hilarious. Indeed George Carlin must have had this movie in mind when he said rape can be funny. Quality wise the movie is god-awful, the plot makes no sense, the production values rival 70s Kung Fu films (and this was made 20 years later) and the usually lively and likable Cynthia Rothrock seems to struggle to contain her contempt, of course that said she's easily the best actress in the cast. The fight sequences are admittedly decently handled, the choreography is generally decent, it's just the movie is so hokey, the film so badly made and dramatically lame that this is all for naught. As far as martial arts films go, this is bottom of the barrel, amateurish nonsense, but as unintentional comedies go, they don't come any funnier than this.

*1/2 Out of 4-(Poor)

Undefeatable is Unbelievable!

[noone2082 · 16 September 2004]

Rarely does one experience in the world of movie making a work that both shocks and enthralls. Undefeatable is a powerhouse. As is its sexy cast of butt kickin' martial arts ladies. The setting, University of Maryland gymnasium. The script, poetic. The action, jolting. The production, one that elicits comparison to a Lord of the Rings. The producers certainly make use of technology utilizing action photography techniques used in mega budget films like the Matrix.

Although not recommended for children, this feel good cinematic adventure gives new meaning to the integration of performance art and dismemberment.

Bravo! Rumors are swirling about the sequel 'Undefeatable II - Return of the Eyeballs'.

Oh man this is bad...

[ableiman · 1/10 · 1 August 2001]

This is the worst movie I have ever seen. I felt compelled to write this review however, not because I think the film should be avoided, but on the contrary, I believe everyone should own a copy of "Undefeatable (that barely even sounds like a grammatically correct word)." The plot, the acting, the fighting, and the lines (oh my goodness the lines are great) are so far below even your average C- film that combined, they create a comprehensively miserable whole. Go out and rent this video, buy a case of Pabst Blue Ribbon, call up your buddies, and sit down for what might be one of the more memorable movie experiences of your life.

How do you expand on "train wreck?"

[catradhtem · 1/10 · 12 August 2002]

When you watch Cynthia Rothrock films, you're supposed to know going in that you're not going to see "Citizen Kane" (or even "Citizens on Patrol," for that matter), but this one....ugh, I don't know. Is "mind-numbingly awful" too vague?

"Undefeatable" tries to blend the two direct-to-video genres of "Martial Artist Exacts Revenge on Those Who Killed Their Relative/Buddy" and "Tough Girl Beats Up Everyone," between the two of which Cynthia has made approximately 120 movies. But I do believe that this could be the worst of either genre.

The movie exists in that great alternate universe in which EVERYONE knows martial arts....cops, waitresses, shrinks, gym regulars, random guys in parking lots, beekeepers, etc. Despite the unintentional humor in being able to smell a fight scene coming from a mile away, this movie is completely without any merit. Moronic, contrived plot, LOUSY, wooden acting, uninteresting characters, a villain about as intimidating as a garbageman, bad direction, slapped in music, and...worst of all for this kind of movie...boring, ill-conceived fights.

Stay far away from this turkey. It's about as exciting as C-SPAN.

Literally the Best Bad Film you will ever see.

[Faith_From_Chaos · 1/10 · 31 December 2006]

let me preface this review by saying i have seen a lot of bad movies in my time...hell, i even own you got served and from justin to kelly...but this, this is the work of the gods. Don Niam's work as "stingray" is the worst acted performance in the history of film. the guy is bad even when he isn't saying anything. hahahaha. there is little to no character development, a disturbing rape scene, and awesomely bad fight choreography. the ending sequence is the stuff dreams are made of, and you may have already seen it on youtube billed as the worst fight scene ever.

honestly, track it down, get some friends together, and enjoy the worst film in history.

Undefeatable. "Irrepressible" is more like it.

[TorgoTron · 1/10 · 27 January 2008]

This film, a gem of the oft forgotten pre-internet pre-CG 90's, is one of the most entertaining train wrecks you'll ever see shot in soft focus and bad lighting. From the bug-eyed pathos of the immortal Don Niam (currently a martial arts instructor in Akron, OH, google him!) to the community-theater level production design, Undefeatable is not to be missed by true connoisseurs of the bottom of the film barrel.

Our story, as it were, follows Cynthia Rothrock's Kristi Jones, who fights on the streets to put her kid sister through college. She's a street-tough hustler with a heart o' gold. Watching Kristi Jones ply her trade is really one of the most entertaining aspects of this movie. She and her "gang" of comic-relief Asian dudes meet up to fight other street-fighter-2-esque characters in an ally or warehouse or something. Some greasy dude in a suit pays money to the winners.

Anyway, the parallel plot involves Don Niam's "Stingray," a pit fighter who is the titular "Undefeatable." He's a psycho who scares his wife away, and then subsequently wanders around attacking women who bear any slight resemblance to her. One of his victims is Rothrock's sister, which sets up the conflict.

Don Niam's filmography consists basically of this role, a few other bit parts and "hit man" on some episode of L.A. Heat. Which is a terrible shame because Niam is triple-A HILARIOUS. Always the same bug eyed expression, the same ridiculous mullet, and the same hilarious overacting (which almost makes up for the extreme underacting of the rest of the cast). In one scene he's wearing denim cutoff jacket, which combined with his poofy hair and short stature makes him look like he should be at a K.D. Lang concert.

Oh yeah, and there's the requisite "street-smart cop who doesn't play by the rules," his dopey sidekick, and even the "mayor's busting my balls" police chief, but at the end of the day this is Don "The Man" Niam's picture. Everyone else looks like they've popped a valium before they deliver their stupid lines while standing in cardboard sets lit by harsh fluorescents.

SO, to summarize... hilarious over/underacting? Check. "Mentos commercial" school of cinematography? Check. AND, it's on Youtube! So you don't even have to leave your house! Just grab a six pack of shitty beer and enjoy the laughs.

Very 1990's...

[paul_haakonsen · 4/10 · 1 January 2016]

Growing up with action movies, I never really got around to watching Cynthia Rothrock for some reason. And I happened to come across this movie by sheer random luck in the local secondhand DVD store. And at $2, expectations weren't high.

Now having seen this movie already, I can say that it is a very stereotypical action and martial arts movie from the early 1990's. How so? Well, the typical 'you messed with my family, now I want revenge' scenario plots. But also the forced choreography of the fights, it just doesn't have a very natural flow to the fighting.

And while on the topic of fighting and martial arts, then the stuff displayed in "Undefeatable" was actually quite alright, and did take away some focus from the wooden acting. And, of course, you have your obligatory fighting sequences that are shown in slow motion.

As I am not familiar with Cythia Rothrock's work in general, then I will say that she was able to perform the fight sequences quite well and with grace, but the acting was somewhat rough around the edges.

"Undefeatable" isn't a particular mind-boggling or riveting movie, and if you like martial arts movies then there are far better ones available from now or even back in the 1990's as well.

'Yeah, SEE ya!'

[HaemovoreRex · 7/10 · 6 December 2007]

The mighty Godfrey Ho (hiding behind the name Hall here) proves once again just why he is held in such high esteem amongst bad movie lovers with this typically entertaining flick that features Kung Fu queen Cynthia Rothrock and surely one of the most memorable psychopaths ever committed to celluloid!

Said loony (played hilariously OTT by Don Niam) is raping, torturing, mutilating and killing women who bear any resemblance to his wife who quite understandably walked out on him due to his somewhat antisocial ways. One of his victims however, turns out predictably to be the feisty Ms Rothrock's sister thus prompting our high kicking heroine to seek revenge. Along the way she is helped by a good hearted cop (who also just happens to be a martial arts expert and muscle man to boot!)......In fact, oddly enough, everyone and their uncle in this flick seems to be adept at martial arts!

Yep, joyous action is very much on the bill here with some pretty good fight sequences including one in which our mad villain rips out some poor guys eyeballs and knocks him over an upper story of a car park (an excellent stunt) and of course the obligatory finale in which both macho male leads go toe to toe (after ripping off their shirts!) in the basement of a hospital.

Great fun from start to finish and amazingly for Ho, this is in fact a FULL, yes I repeat a FULL film, not a cut & paste effort(!!!) Truly, we are honoured Godfrey!

So bad, it's funny!

[dgree001 · 3/10 · 19 September 2009]

This is some of the worst acting and directing I have ever seen in a movie. It also has the worst action scenes, editing, and the worst movie quote (What's Stingray have eyeballs in a fish tank for?") possibly in cinema history. It seems as if everyone in the movie is either a student or an instructor in some type of martial arts dojo (even the psychology professor knows martial arts), and they decided to pool their tax refunds together to make the worst movie of 1993. With that being said, this was one of the funniest movies that I have seen in my life! If you like to watch awful movies and laugh until your stomach hurts, please go get this movie! As long as you're not expecting a good (or even slightly decent) movie, you will not be disappointed.

Possibly the best creation in human history.

[evansac1 · 10/10 · 29 March 2006]

When I first saw this movie, I soiled myself. Not only does it feature my favorite actor Don Niam, it also has my second favorite actor Todd Weinguard as Maniac Gang member #4. This movie contains Don Niam's hair which is probably the most significant thing to ever happen to theater. Ever. It should be required by law that everyone must watch this movie. I will definitely name my first,second, and fourth child Stingray. My third child will be named anus for obvious reasons. Anyways, I highly recommend this movie. If you want to cry, laugh, defecate on yourself, and become erect at the same time, see this movie. Please make a sequel Mr. Ho.

Is Joey Buttafuoco the baddie?

[tarbosh22000 · 6/10 · 13 July 2010]

Paul, AKA "Stingray" is an abusive husband who also fights in "Death Matches". His wife Anna (he calls her "Hannah" a few times), leaves him and he goes insane. Any woman who wears a flower print dress and has black hair becomes one of his victims. He tortures and kills them, and their boyfriends.

Meanwhile, Kristi Jones (Rothrock) is part of the gang the Red Dragons. She gets paid to fight other gangs. When Paul kills Kristi's sister, Kristi gets mad and is out for revenge.

If you know anything about the great Godfrey Ho, you know this is completely insane. Perhaps not as much as, say, Clash of the Ninjas (1986), but hilariously deranged in its own right.

The character of Paul makes a ridiculous baddie. He closely resembles Joey Buttafuoco, and he saves people's eyeballs in his fish tank. He tortures people and kickboxes at the same time. He screams "I will find you!" and spray paints his hair red to look more devilish. He yells fan favorite yell, "Nooooooo!!!!" The other villains are incredibly funny. One looks like Eddie Murphy, "Bear" dresses in a football outfit and does somersaults. When Bear (not the same Bear from Maximum Force (1992)) loses his match with Kristi, his girlfriend sighs, "Oh, Bear!" The last line of the movie is as nonsensical and hilarious as the rest of it. We won't give it away, but suffice it to say, enrollment in college is involved.

"Undefeatable" is silly fun at its finest. Godfrey Ho can shoot action as well as concoct an absurd storyline. It is filled with so many funny lines, we can't list them all here. This film can be enjoyed by anyone, and if you already like Rothrock it only sweetens the deal.

For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com

This is a comedy, isn't it?!

[planktonrules · 2/10 · 19 February 2019]

"Undefeatable" is a terrible film in most ways. It has a real direct-to-video look and sound...with terrible music, poor sound, horrible dialog and cartoonish characters. Its only redeeming quality are some of the martial arts scenes...the folks doing them were pretty talented...at least in fighting.

Before I get to the heart of the review, I have a warning. There is a rape in the movie. While it's not the most brutal and graphic I've seen, it's too graphic and almost makes the rape look sexy...which is horrible. I worry about two things....someone who's been a victim seeing this and re-experiencing their own assault OR someone getting off by watching it. Rapes should not be plot devices and if used, they really need to be more responsible than the folks who made this 'film'.

The story is about a young lady who fights in underground contests to earn money to send her sister to college. Cynthia Rothrock plays this kick-butt fighter. At the same time, there is a certifiably insane guy who is incredibly tough, cruel and cannot separate out reality from his delusions. He has a serious set of mommy issues and goes about town attacking and murdering women and their boyfriends, as he thinks these women are his mommy* and he wants to punish her! You KNOW that the lady fighter and this maniac will eventually meet up--whether it's in the ring, an alley or anywhere else is for you to find out yourself.

As I already mentioned, the martial arts fighting in this is quite good. These people are very talented....just not when it comes to acting. When it comes to acting, Mr. Potatohead and Mrs. Potatohead would probably have done better! Dopey writing and a cheap, crappy look this production seem many steps below a Steven Seagal or Jean Claude Van Damme flick....though the martial arts are probably better than you'd see in some of the Seagal films. I give this one a 2, simply for the fight scenes...the rest is strictly stupid and worthy of inclusion in anyone's 'Worst Of' list.

*The whole mommy aspect of this film was supposed to be scary, though occasionally I found it unintentionally hilarious. I especially found myself laughing when the looney pugilist read a note from his girlfriend after she left him...and he calls out "Don't leave me, Mommy!!". Priceless...and dumb.

Do they get better?

[CaptScholten · 20 January 2003]

In a strange coincidence, I was also up at 2 AM when I caught this movie. In fact, I just finished it, and was so excited about, I had to get right on here and leave my comments. I, on the other hand, found this movie great! Undefeatable had Don Niam in his first and only starring role, and let me tell you, his eyes and hair took control of his character, and they left with me memories that I shall charish forever. Every line in this film was spoken in a very unique way. And on a final note, I shall now use this movie as undeniable proof that everyone knows kung fu.

Bad dialogue, acting but Cynthia Rocks

[DongDiggity · 4/10 · 30 April 2022]

Cynthia is not only hot but a decent action star however she can't save the film from all the bad acting and at times poor fight choreography.

Overall, it's bad but worth havening a watch and a laugh.

So much fun to watch!

[Disclaimered · 5/10 · 16 November 2020]

Seriously bad acting, lapped up with bad editing (my friends and I joked that the entire movie took place over the course of one whole day because it was never shot at night).

However; on top of all that makes this "so bad, it's good"; the choreography and fight scenes are actually well done and a blast to watch! Yea, there are times where the actor blatantly misses a hit or kick, but it just adds to the overall charm. Definitely check it out.

Some okay-ish action

[jellopuke · 5/10 · 3 February 2019]

There are a few decent stunts mixed in with the laughably bad acting and plot but the real challenge with this movie is accepting that Rothrock was supposed to be playing someone under 30. She just did NOT look it, even though she wasn't that much older (36) she just came across like someone's badass mom rather than a tough youth. Doesn't help that she couldn't really act, but at least she has some solid moves. Overall not the worst waste of an hour and half of your life, but hardly an unseen classic or anything.

So bad, it's good. But it's better in Spanish!!

[paukenmeister · 1/10 · 19 January 2007]

In spite of the inherent awfulness of the movie, one watches it for the unintentional laughs. I agree with a user who commented on the two guys being inexplicably oiled up for the big fight scene. I agree with another user that one watches this flick with yer best buds and a 6-pack of PBR.

However, this turkey gets an even better roasted flavor when one sees it on TELEMUNDO!!! Asian movie (martial arts/rubber-suit monster) dubbed in English = funny. American direct-to-video "crapola" martial arts picture with avenging death/tough girl whoops everybody motif dubbed in Spanish = mess yer drawers funny!!!

Ha ha!

[sarastro7 · 4/10 · 26 January 2007]

I saw a snippet of this movie on YouTube, and knew I had to have it! The DVD was cheap, so for a fan of Cynthia Rothrock it was a no-brainer.

Good movie? Er... not exactly. And then again! We love it for its badness. The acting is, as others have mentioned, on par with a porn movie. The plot itself is actually tight enough - we have a crime story about a crazy martial artist who kills people because he's got a childhood trauma involving his mother. This is an OK plot, and it unfolds quite straightforwardly, unlike what tends to happen in this sort of movie. But elements are very contrived. How come our bad guy just happens to drive by the place where his ex-wife's psychiatrist's pupil's sister is having a fight? Connections, people! Connections! But who cares? The movie starts out being complete, irredeemable, amateurish sleaze. *Really* awful. But it gets a little better once the fight scenes get going. There are some pretty cool sequences now and again. Interspersed with plenty of laughs about the ridiculous dialog ("Big mistake!" and "You're dead meat!") and the hideous, hideous acting. Although, John Miller is not bad. He's got the moves, man! Must be some karate champ. And he hams it up in the final battle, being totally into the spirit of it!

Watching this, one wonders why an endless parade of parody movies haven't been made to lampoon stuff like this. It would be so easy, and sooo funny!

So, well, if you like bad kung fu movies, this one is good for a few laughs. I'll tell you that for nothing! :-)

4 out of 10.

Total fun

[BandSAboutMovies · 6/10 · 7 June 2023]

Kristi Jones (Cynthia Rothrock) wants to go legit and stop being in a martial arts gang. Well, her attempt to leave the Red Dragons is noble but even more illegal, as she works with organized crime to stage back alley fights where she beats up men for money that she plans on using to put her sister through college so that she can be a doctor.

At the same time, Stingray (Don Niam) has beaten and assaulted his wife Anna (Emille Davazac) for the last time. She runs away and soon, every woman he meets becomes her as he rapes, murders and takes the eyes of ladies all over the city. One of those women ends up being Kristi's sister, so our heroine has to stop fighting for money and start battling for revenge alongside Detective Nick DiMarco (John Miller) and one of her sister's professors, Dr. Jennifer Simmons (Donna Jason)

Undefeatable takes place in a world where every single person knows martial arts. I wish that I lived in this world, a place where high kicking battles are always happening when you walk down the street. It was directed by Godfrey Hall. You can guess who that is. Yep, Godfrey Ho, who couldn't resist the urge to not be Godfrey Ho, remaking this movie with the same footage and new scenes with Robin Shau as Bloody Mary Killer.

It also is made in a reality where men like Stingray use animal-based martial arts to take eyes, so many eyeballs that he can fill a fishtank with them. This is also a world where when someone is in the hospital, it's totally normal to bring them enough cold chicken soup to feed them for the rest of their natural life. Most of all, I love that Cynthia Rothrock is dressed like a character from a Japanese beat 'em up arcade game - leather bomber jacket with chains - fighting dudes in red ninja costumes for cash and beating up a guy named Bear, at which point his poor girlfriend looks at him and says, "Oh Bear..." like this has happened so many times before.

It has cinematography by Robin J. Cook (Despiser), who may be the only person to work with Don Dohler, Menahem Golan and Godfrey Ho.

Average Cynthia Rothrock Movie

[ebiros2 · 4/10 · 28 February 2013]

Kristi (Cynthia Rothrock) is looking for a guy who killed her sister. She's a street wise girl that's skilled in her kung fu. The killer she's looking for is also a kung fu expert. If they meet, it will be a showdown that the killer wouldn't forget anytime soon.

This is an average Cynthia Rothrock movie. It's a murder mystery with kung fu angle to it. Somehow her American produced movies lacks the energy, and excitement of her movies that were made in Hong Kong.

Cynthia Rothrock makes Chuck Norris look like a versatile actor if you know what I mean. The one track minded acting also makes the story one track, and rather uninteresting.

But if you came looking for a Cynthia Rothrock movie, this is definitely one of them. So the ratings will probably vary depending on what you're looking for in this movie.

Diabolical! Atrocious! But dag-nabbit it's fun!!

[supertom-3 · 9/10 · 20 January 2005]

Another epic piece of art from director Godfrey Ho, the man who has directed about 100 films with the word Ninja in the title! This doesn't have ninja in the title but don't be fooled there is plenty of martial arts action. Like his other films this is a shockingly cheap and hilariously bad movie. The acting is especially poor. Leading the movie is the queen of martial arts, her hotness; Cynthia Rothrock (kill me now Cynthia!!). Cynthia does her usual ass kicking routine as she stars as a waitress who also fights illegally for money on the side. When her sister is killed she vows revenge. Rothrock can't really act worth a hill a beans really and she proves that when identifying her sisters body. She looks at the corpse and just as I thought they would have her do the typical action star scowl, clenching of the fist, before running out the building to do damage, she burst into tears. Now you may think "Wow, stretching!" However it is scary. She is so over the top and loud that I was actually frightened (frightened but still being aroused by her presence). Having said that Rothrock is not the worst actor in this picture, in fact she is the best which gives you some indication at the level this film is made. It is like a Troma film without all the gore and female nudity, even though there is a little gore, and a little female nudity (not Rothrock lads!). While Cynthia had her little "where's my academy award?" moments, bad guy Don Niam was atrocious. Niam, sporting the worst, most permed mullet ever seen is so ridiculously cheesy that he merely has to appear on screen for me to laugh manically at him. When he speaks he is even funnier. His face has a kind of "please hit me!" look to it and the way his mullet sways about is very amusing. My brother put it best about ¾ of the way through when he said "I swear that mullet gets bigger in every scene!" I thought that too. There are a few mullets in the film and some fashion that makes this film look very 80's, however it was made in the mid 90's!

Once again, like Ho's other epics, this has some good fights. Particularly a superbly rough fight between Don Niam and John Miller that ends hilariously (it involves a hook and an eye socket but you'll really have to see it.). What I love is the whole cheesiness of B-movies like this. They take it a step beyond your average DTV film and as such something this cheesy is far more entertaining than something plain bad and boring, staring Steven Seagal. To sum up how cheesy and stupid this film is: In the middle of the climactic fight scene between Niam and Miller, they both tear their shirts off (for no good reason) and continue the fight bare chested, yet miraculously they are oiled up to the eye balls. It is an hilariously macho scene that comes across as more homo-erotic, with oily men grabbing and hitting each other, it couldn't have been gayer if they'd have recreated Olly Reed and Alan Bates nude wrestling match. I think there is something Godfrey isn't telling us!

So with ample fist fights and plenty of bad acting, this film has good entertainment values, as well as some excellent fight scenes. Unfortunately no Scorpion kick from Rothrock in this.**

Rothrock, Niam and Miller bring home the bacon

[Red-Barracuda · 6/10 · 3 September 2009]

By conventional standards Undefeatable is a terrible film. But thankfully I don't judge movies by conventional standards. Hence, I declare Undefeatable a quite brilliantly entertaining action flick.

The setting is a city somewhere in America where every inhabitant is an expert in kung fu. This city is being terrorized by a sociopath who is killing women who resemble his recently departed wife. The sister of one of his victims teams up with a cop who is investigating the killings and together they go in pursuit of the madman.

This is a Cynthia Rothrock movie and she plays the sibling street fighter. She is certainly the most accomplished actress in the film which should give you some indication of the standard of thespian talent on display here. The acting is universally and quite magnificently consistently atrocious. Are these people really technically actors? It's hard to believe they are but I have a great deal of admiration for their collective rubbishness, as it is one of the many things that serve this trashy film so well. Cynthia's two male co-stars, the cop John Miller and psychopath Don Niam are a bad movie lovers dream duo. They deliver their lines hilariously throughout. Niam in particular has to be given special mention. He does put in a truly unforgettable performance as the villain. His wild-eyed staring and cheesy posturing are very, very funny; he is the most over-the-top man in the world. And then there is his heroically ridiculous permed mullet. Never since Kevin Dillon sported a barnet more terrifying than the title alien in the remake of The Blob have I seen a haircut so astounding. At one point Niam even sprays two red dye lines into it; this of course only serves to highlight the ludicrous nature of this headage even more. Although John Miller and Cynthia Rothrock are great fun in this, Don Niam is the star of the show.

Undefeatable does not have pacing problems. It moves along fast, with one hugely entertaining piece of nonsense after another. The fights and stunts are simultaneously well done and really silly. The quite legendary final showdown is well worth waiting for. It's a master-class in imaginative funniness. I'm not going to describe this fight because (a) if you've seen it before then really it speaks for itself and you will know words can simply do it no justice, or (b) if you haven't seen it then I wouldn't want to prime you at all for what you are about to see.

I don't really know if they realized just how hilarious this film was when they filmed it but I doubt it somehow as the lead performers certainly seem to be playing things completely straight, This, of course, adds ten-fold to the ensuing hilarity. In the final analysis, Undefeatable works splendidly as entertainment.

one of cynthia rothrock's worst movies

[alucifer · 2/10 · 8 September 2005]

was i ever let down by this movie.not as bad as night vision but still bad.this movie has some of the lamest fight scenes i have ever seen.now you would think a movie starring the queen of martial arts b movies cynthia rothrock would have great fight scenes.i own most of her movies and out of all of them this one has the worst martial arts fighting.i have only watched this movie once and i don't think i will be watching it again ever in my life time.if you are a cynthia rothrock fan then i think you should stay away from this horrible movie.really bad choreography and really bad acting equal a really bad movie.so martial arts fans you have been warned.

Really bad, even for a Cynthia Rothrock

[Wizard-8 · 12 August 1999]

Though Cynthia Rothrock may know martial arts well, her acting has never been any good. Still, had this movie provided enough (well done) action, I would have still liked it.

But _man_....this movie is AWFUL! Technically crude (you'll see numerous reflections and shadows of the crew and their equipment), cheap-looking, BADLY ACTED, and a poor script. Sometimes it is so bad it's funny (the acting and facial expressions of the bad guy), but nowhere near enough to make it a so-bad-its-good movie.

One day, Cynthia Rothrock may appear in a good movie. She hasn't yet. Wait until then.