Underdog Kids (2015)

Boring, long, and too preachy.

Am I Missing Something?

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

My kids, (son 10, daughter 9) absolutely loved this movie! They cheered, they laughed and yes they even teared up at times. I don't care what the technical reviews are... Our whole family enjoyed it for exactly what it is...a feel good family movie without sexual innuendo or foul language.

The martial arts choreography and stunts were good (and that's pretty much it). The story, the script and the characters felt so sub-par that it ruined the movie for me. It was so badly written, awkward, poor acting including the main actor, the martial arts master Phillip Rhee who both wrote and directed this movie, apparently not having any producers, co-producers etc. helping him with everything that is wrong with this movie. But as I said, if you can wade through what is almost a parody that might be called "Mighty Karate Ducks" you will see some really nice choreography and stunts. It's clear Phillip Rhee had a casting that focused on martial arts skill and not acting. His acting was weak too. Not worth the rent. If you have a serious craving for some martial arts and you've seen everything that is out there then you can at least check this one out an skip the nonsense between the martial arts sequences.

Underdog Kids is an instruction manual on how to make a really really bad movie:1. Use a lot of clichés in plot and dialog............................. 2. Actors must look like they are acting (badly)....................... 3. Make transition between scenes disorienting. (worst editing ever)... 4. Use very bad music and sounds at inappropriate times................ 5. Frequently use the lowest form of humor (gas)....................... 6. Have a predictable yet illogical ending.............................I had my 13 year daughter watch this movie with me..................... I am hoping she will talk to me again - some time in the future........

Since hearing the announcement that Phillip Rhee would be returning with a new film, his first in 17 years, had me excited. Even more, the fact that martial arts legends Richard Norton, Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Danny Inosanto, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, and Jun Chong were making cameos had me excited more. Rhee did a terrific job in not only giving a message about martial arts, but like the original Best of the Best, the film truly has heart.What's really great is that in my opinion, this film could be a stepping stone for a new generation of future action stars. Seeing martial arts champions Rayna Valladingham, Aidan Considine, Tyler Weaver, Andrew Franklin transition to film as well as Supah Ninjas' Ryan Potter and Sean Rhee (Phillip's son), this is truly a fun film to enjoy.If there is a film that martial arts film fans would want to break their kids with in watching the genre, this is truly one of those films to introduce them. A fun film with heart and some exciting martial arts action with a dose of family comedy.