Double Dragon (1994)

A Disappointing Continuation

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

The first thing you need to know is that 'Double Dragon' is based on a computer game. And, as any seasoned cinema-goer will know, any film based on a computer game is often not worth the celluloid it's made with. And, as with Streetfighter, Super Mario Bros and House of the Dead, Double Dragon is pretty bad. But not that bad… although certain conditions apply to that statement.I grew up in the eighties and played the original Double Dragon video game religiously, therefore I'm always going to look upon the film version through slightly rose-coloured spectacles. Secondly, I seem to have a mild appreciation for really 'so-bad-they're-good' films and this is so bad it's good.It's about brothers, Billy and Jimmy Lee, growing up after some sort of great earthquake in a rebuilt Los Angeles. The police struck a deal with the gangs that no 'gang warfare' or crime will take place during the day, putting a curfew in place at night where law-abiding citizens can hide away from the hooligans who rule the streets during the dark. They find half of a magic medallion which isn't really that magic. Although it would be if the other half was found. And the other half is in the possession of the leader of the gangs – the T1000 himself with a really bad haircut – Robert Patrick.I think one of the main reasons Double Dragon is widely regarded as such a flop is because it really didn't have the budget to be anything special. It kind of comes across as a 'made-for-TV' movie and the script is pretty awful. Even Robert Patrick (normally reliable in everything he does), struggles to bring anything to his role as 'generic bad-guy.' Plus the film is rated '12' yet I think that's a little strict. I'd say the primary audience for this film is eight-year-old boys who are watching this on a Saturday morning. A film based on fighting should at least have some violence in it, however all the fight scenes are almost comical with the heroes using everything from frying pans to random object to despatch their foes. Oh, that brings me onto the foes. The gangs Billy and Jimmy fight seem to be dressed in completely different uniforms to each other. It's like watching the two boys beat up the Village People. Seriously, you have one gang member in a bowler hat and suit, one dressed as a workman, one as a postman and so on.Unless you're like me and loved the computer game, or can appreciate camp rubbish films like this, you'll have to be a young boy to get anything out of this. I've now re-watched Double Dragon and, although it killed an hour and a half of my time, the fact that the two heroes spent much of their screen time screaming (supposedly) 'comically' into the camera even started to get on my nerves. But it was fun – silly fun. Pretty bad, but I've seen worse (House of the Dead – I'm looking at you!).

In the years following the great Los Angeles earthquake, two orphans are raised and trained in martial arts by Satori, who also happens to be the caretaker of one half of a magic amulet.When the evil Koga Shuko finds the other half, he immediately goes on the attack to take Satori's piece and claim the power contained within the amulet.Only Satori's two boys, Billy and Jimmy, can stop Koga from reaching his goal.....The video game was simple, walk from left to right and beat up anything in sight. It was fun and provided many hours of entertainment on my holidays.22 years later, and i finally get to see the movie. i'm a fan of dodgy movies, especially video game movies, because they provide entertainment, even though they are poor.But hands down, this is the worst video game adaptation I have ever seen. The saving grace here is Patrick, at least he puts in something of a performance when he isn't turning into a piece of folding paper.The two leads are awful, plain bad. If you thought Ryu and Ken were bad in streetfighter, they are like Pacino and De Niro in Heat compared to these two.There's not enough action in this, no references to the game, and all the humour is laid on too thick to be funny.If you like bad movies that are really bad, then give this one a whirl. It's no surprise that this has never been on TV in the UK.

First off lets talk about what the Double Dragon movie is not. It is NOT a serious movie. It is NOT supposed to be some big deep, thought provoking movie. It is NOT at all a bad movie.Now this movie was obviously made to get fans of the game in the theater regardless of whether or not it was good. However I think people dismissed it after the first few scenes which I feel is unjust. The movie itself does not really follow the story of the game....which is good because the plot of the game was pretty thin (not that this one is complex or anything....but it works). The movie is however what it should be....a buddy action/COMEDY. Thats right people you read that right I said comedy. And no this isn't one of those so-bad-it's-funny movies....the movie actually attempts to be funny and in my opinion....succeeds. Now some of the action is just awesome.....yet other scenes remind you that the studio just wanted a movie as quick as possible. Some scenes get a bit to....how do I say this....Home Alone....or 3 ninjas-type. In other words, when there could easily be a martial arts battle (and given the fact that this is double dragon people expect it) sometimes they just do things like knock over a barrel of balls for the bad guys to trip on three stooges style. Sometimes it can be somewhat funny but for the most part it isn't really needed. The acting for the most part isn't bad....I mean you got Mark "needs to be more appreciated" Dacoscos, Scott "I was on some dumb show but now I can kick a bit of ass" Wolf and Robert "I was the T-1000 bitch" Patrick. All 3 leads know how to act and do a good job with what they are given. Now lets talk about the script/story. It is corny, Cheezy, and at times dumb....but it really works for the movie. It really feels like a comic book on screen or even...(gasp) a video game! Overall, double Dragon suffers the same fate the super Mario Bros movie did....in making it a comedy and a bit different from the game people responded with hate....unjust hate....let me put it to you this way...If you changed the names of the characters so that they are not directly from Double Dragon....and people saw it without thinking about the game...it would be much better received. The IMDb score would be at LEAST a 5.4, and that is something I am sure of.Scoring: Acting:7.8 Action:8 Story:8 Script:7 Overall:7.5 Summary: Double Dragon joins many video game movies that are universally hated for not being a direct carbon copy of the game. However it is a fun, enjoyable adventure/comedy that will most likely entertain kids and adults who want to have a fun 90 minutes. I recommend it as long as you are not a jackass.

As my title says i totally disagree.Have you noticed that the Double Dragon Animated Series is nothing like the arcade games?I guess with the movie they were trying a different concept.So what if its not like the arcade games it's still a good movie.Just because its not like the arcade games means it sucks.Many people will enjoy this movie as i have.I don,t understand why people hate this movie because it's nothing like the arcade games.Be more exposed for god's sake learn to go with the flow.Whats wrong with the medallions,i think its cool joining them together to transform.It might be a little dorky but what the heck the animated series uses magical swords...which can talk...but at least in the movie they added some realism like no talking magical swords...so for those who thinks this movie stinks i give you a thumbs down on you.For those who haven't watched this movie go on ahead download it buy it or whatever just sit back relax and enjoy it.