5 comments about Ferocious Female Freedom Fighters.

1. This movie has it all! Kung fu fights, wisecracking ugly guys, and an Elvis impersonator. Basically, these guys took an old 70's kung fu flick and dubbed over all the dialogue. Hilarity ensues as our hero tries to beat up the ugly guys and get the girl. If you liked that movie, "Kung Pow: Enter the Fist," then you will love this one.



2. This movie is absolutely hilarious. Dubbed over [] flicks are always entertaining but this is just absurd. Many many fart and sex jokes thrown in and (perversions aside) the script makes completely no sense. Fortunately, this happens to work for this movie. A must have for anyone who loves little unknown gems of movies.



3. THIS Film IS rated - even though the amazon description above says it is not...and it is definetly R! I bought this, thinking mild sex and fart jokes (ala Kung Pow humor) but was surprised to find so many obscenities and overt sexual references. I'm not a prude, but I'd hoped to share this with my preteens...NO WAY! It IS hilarious, however, so if you don't have young kids around, ENJOY!



4. I first watched this movie on cable several years ago with my brother and have waited for it to be on DVD. Like the other reviews - this is an old kung fu movie dubbed not like most kung fu movies- where all is supposed to be serious but this time in the Troma tradition for the fun of it. If you watch it you too will chant "Tuna Melt Tuna Melt" or "Unganda no Ugaanda" . The perverted little brother, the lead actress' foul mouthed mother, Elvis, fish face woman, the farts when wrestling and of course the burping woman who hums. This movie is one of the few where I fell off the couch laughing so hard. This is the funniest movie I have ever seen. Too good.



5. I have seen this movie before, but I read a review (and I think it may have been here) that suggested Woody Allens' "What's Up Tiger Lilly" was a better example of this film genre. WRONG! Woody Allens' film is a James Bond knockoff, which means no real martial arts action, just halting, no contact, 1950s hollywood fight choreography. It is silly, but moves so slowly that its "humor/time" ratio is much lower than this film.
   I don't really want to rip "What's Up Tiger Lilly", but I regard my purchase of it (in place of this film) to be a mistake.

3 comments about Crash Masters: The Sword (1971).

1. Crash Cinema has released this, and they have made it clear that this is the best they could clean up the print. I am not usually one to complain, but the subtitles are burnt onto the picture and can be extremely hard to read. If you can get past that, then this is a must see for Jimmy Wang Yu fans.
   
   Wang Yu is part of a family that is very respected. At the start of the movie the new King is looking to become Wang Yu's friend rather than his enemy. He decides to hold a martial arts tournament with the finest sword known to man as the prize. Wang Yu is absolutely obsessed with swords, so of course he has to enter the tournament. After winning the sword and adding it to his already huge collection, he finds out this is not the finest blade ever made. He goes way beyond obsession at this point and leaves to find a hermit who owns this supposedly #1 ranked sword. When he sees that it really is the best, he must have it. But, he finds out this old hermit isn't the pushover he looks to be. After learning all the sword skills he can, he comes back a year later to claim the greatest sword in the world.
   
   This may come off as generic, but it is one of Wang Yu's finest roles. One of my favorite movies ever is 'Killer Constable', so maybe it is just that I love anti-hero movies so much, but I enjoyed this and it has a very memorable ending. Don't go into this expecting your average bad guy kills people and good guy takes revenge type of story. Oh no, it's a lot deeper than that. The costumes are wonderful and really help the movie and the acting is very good from everyone. The story will probably not go down in history as one of the best ever, but it flows along very nicely with Wang Yu giving a superb performance. The movie is all done on sets, but there is the occasional location shot that I could have used more of. I can't consider this a classic, but it's a good watch if you like old swordplays.
   
   This is from 1971, and the action was much better than I thought it was going to be, mainly because Wang Yu sells it so well. Don't expect 'Hero', but the sword fighting is very good for it's time. 3.5/5
   
   While the subtitles are hard to read, the story is still pretty easy to follow. The picture has noticeable print damage all the way through. Heavy speckling at times, some heavy scratches, verticle lines, and brief moments of more serious damage. Another company that releases rare movies is fittingly called Rarescope (BCI). I haven't had any problems with their picture quality, and this release from Crash Cinema looks a little bit better than Rarescope, so no complaints from me other than the subtitles. The picture is widescreen in letterbox format, so that is VERY nice to see. Sound is good. Not 5.1 or anything, but no irritating hissing sounds and crackling only occurs a couple times.



2. The DVD has some good sword action especially during the sword tournament. The thrust of the story is the hero's obsession with finding the perfect sword. It makes this movie more of a film dealing with the humanity of the central characters than just another "chop-socki-flik". If it was just an action movie I would have given it 3 stars instead of 4. Its approach to dealing with inner turmoil makes it again, better viewed as a film than as an action movie.



3. The sword,1971,Jimmy Wang Yu is a swordsman,and a sword collector,who'll stop at nothing to own the sword of all swords,with plenty of swordplay and action,Wang Yu's acting in top form,the only problem being is the subtitles,the secret for reading these is to start from the ending of each sentence and read backwards that way you won't miss anything.This Crash Cinema dvd is surprisingly remastered and features 16x9 widescreen,if you can tolerate the subtitles,for which I'm used to from the martial arts genre,this is a good Wang Yu film.3 1/2 stars

No comments about Advanced Small Circle Jujitsu.

5 comments about Pride Fighting Championship: Bushido, Vol. 1.

1. After watching these fights, I would never train under the Gracies. If you have a x2 PLAY button on your DVD, USE it.
   All the Gracies spend about 90% of the fight on their backs, and do absolutely Nothing when on top. It's almost like they are stunned to realize they are in a good position.
   Watch the first 30 seconds of any of the Gracie fights, and you get the idea. Then, x2 or x4 if you got it.
   
   The other fights are a lot better, and worth watching.
   A long time ago, the Gracies were unstoppable, but now..... Any standup fighter with more then 6 months of ground
   training could beat them. Main method of attack: Lay on your back like a turtle, wrap your legs in the guard, then hope your opponent gets tired of hitting you, and passes out. I would never even pay a regular rental fee for this one.
   
   Also, the commentary is only good when the fights start. The Japanese put on a spectacular show, before the fight, but it's ruined by not having a translator or subtitles, and then having the commentators just saying over, and over, and over again "Wow........ Wow. I wish you were here. Wow. This is like a movie. Wow..... I can't believe this..... wow...... This is amazing.."



2. Extremely good event. Excellent exibition of "Busido - the Warrior Spirit". Lots of stage effects as usual for Pride. A little less drama on the introductions of fighters (thank goodness) Film quality, sound, music all first class. 5 Gracies! All the Gracie's showed lots of class. Renzo vs. Carlos Newton: outstanding JJ fight, lots of submission attempts and reversals (Rhetorical Question: How does an Afican-Canadian fight for Team Japan?). Daniel Gracie is great to see...the only HW Gracie, the guy he fought is quite good. Ralph Gracie..got to love his intensity. Ryan is a bad-a$$. Rodrigo fight was okay, his opponent doesn't have the best record. A little disappointing that 4 out of the 5 Gracie fights went to decision. Good (non-fighting) appearce of Royce. The Cro-Cop fight is devastating. I watched it 3 times. Also includes an early fight of Shogun Rua against a so-so Japanese fighter. Rua is awesome. Alaksander Elimineko's -Fedor's brother- first fight (according to Sherdog) is here too. The Extra's on the tape or okay, like most Pride tapes, nothing too exceptional. This tape isn't the most exciting Pride event ever, but if you are a Gracie fan or a hard-core MMA fan, it is a must see. If you are new to watching MMA, pick a few other Pride or UFC events first. You will appreciate this one much more watching with a more experienced eye



3. I tried really hard to like this event. The first two fights were fantastic but the rest simply blows. What the hell was up with the main event anyway?? I really love to watch Pride, but it bothers me when they throw scrubs at their cash cows like this. Putting a WWF style 'wrestler' in his MMA premier fight against Cro Cop is kind of like putting an amature boxer against Oscar DeLahoya for his first fight. It looks good on the highlight reels because it will end up the way it is supposed too... in a brutal KO. Lame.



4. I disagree with most of the reviews on this site. What do they want? What do they expect? There aren't any bad fights on this dvd. There isn't one boring fight. I don't know what these people are objecting to. The Gracies don't just lay on their backs like turtles. What absurd nonsense. Rodrigo, Ralph and Ryan laying on their backs like turtles? What is this guy, nuts? Does Tank Abbott lay on his back like a turtle? If anything, the opponents of the Gracies would sometimes fight defensively to avoid getting submitted.
   
   This was billed as a competition between five Gracies and Team Japan. Three of the Gracies win, and only one Japanese fighter wins. Carlos Newton is one of the world greats, and he gets a reasonably close decision over Renzo. Renzo is a gem. His sportsmanship makes you smile. When one of the judges awards the decision to Renzo, Renzo is shaking his head as if to say it should have been unanimous for Carlos Newton. What class! I love Renzo's smile. He is such a kind gentleman. I met him at his school in Manhattan and he interrupted his extremely busy schedule, running a tournament, to stop and say hi to me and my 6 or 7 year old daughter. He didn't know either of us. He just wanted to say hi, and chat a moment. What a hospitable, friendly guy.
   
   My copy of the dvd didn't have all the fights on it. I was unable to see Alex Emilianenko or Kharitonov. No Russians on my copy. When I tried to have the mouse point to those fights, it wouldn't move. I don't think those fights were on the dvd I had.
   
   I do have to agree with one of the other reviewers who complained about the Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic fight. He fought a newcomer, and he simply kicked him in the head with his shin, and that was that. You can break a baseball bat with your shin.
   
   One of the reviewers ridiculed the announcers. That was uncalled for. The announcers are okay. The reviewer was bragging that he knew that one of the fighters hurt his knee. So what. I watched the replay several times, and it was really hard to tell if the man hurt his knee or not. It wasn't obvious at all at the point of contact. So stop showing off.
   
   I really regret that Rickson Gracie didn't fight for a world championship. I believe that he would have been a great champion for years. The sport really missed a lot by not seeing the greatest of the Gracies win a world championship and defend it. Even today, in 2006, I don't think many fighters could beat him. Fedor Emilianenko, Andrei Arlovski, those guys would have to be favorites to win, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to bet on Chuck Liddell or Mirko Cro Cop to beat Rickson Gracie right now. And Rickson is not a heavyweight.



5. This is a great start to the Bushido series. The Japan vs Gracie set is decent and the Newton vs Renzo fight is unbelievable.

5 comments about Xtreme Fighter.

1. I loved the story it was a new aspect showing different martial artists. Brad played by Dan Mayid, is awesome. His techniques look outstanding. I hope he makes more movies! I think he's gonna be the new Karate Kid! Can't wait for x-treme fighter 2



2. It is a little confusing because the star is not really Lorenzo Lamas but Don "The Dragon" Wilson. Lorenzo is in it, but a smaller part.
   
   The sory is (Wilson) must save his son from a video game by fighting ,and winning each level. It's kind of fun to watch a who's who of fighters meet wilson at each level. The only real suspense comes from guessing who he will meet at each level, based on who's in the credits.
   
   Overall it's fun.



3. After a long time waiting I finally got to see my karate instructor Master Dan Mayid in his first martial arts movie! If I did not know better I would think his fighting scences were for real. It has a cool story and X-treme Fighter is now my favorite martial arts movie and Master Mayid is now my favorite movie star! If you buy this movie you will love it too! I hope there will be an X-treme Fighter 2!



4. This movie *should* have been so much better. Forget the plot, it isn't needed. Don't worry about the acting, it's unnecessary. This movie was supposed to be all about the fight sequences. As the DVD case advertises "25 Fight Scenes" and "10 World Champions". Sadly, all those world champions must have forgotten to eat their wheaties when they showed up to work. The choreography was terrible. It was slow, choppy, technically poor, and rarely lasted long enough. I've seen many of these people in other films, and I know they are capable of better.
   
   Don Wilson, Cynthia Rothrock, Christine Bannon-Rodriguez, the Kim twins, Lorenzo Lamas, Eric Lee, Michael Matsuda, Brad Verret, Maurice Smith, Ray Wizard, and especially Chris Cassamassa. Half the cast was on "WMAC Masters", and we know they can give us fantastic scenes with the right producer and fight choreographer. Cynthia Rothrock, Don Wilson, and Lorenzo Lamas have made careers of action films, and they were some of the worst offenders. The worst scenes? Rothrock versus Bannon-Rodriguez. Don Wilson versus Bannon-Rodriguez. Cassamassa versus Wilson. Wilson versus Smith (who has thankfully moved on to greener pastures as the head coach of the IFL's Tiger Sharks, a more fitting use of his talents!). I can't think of one good fight from the entire film, and when the film's raison d'etre was fight choreography, it better live up to the hype. The only decent fight was between Wilson and Gokor Chivichyan, and that's not saying much.
   
   This one didn't. I'm glad this was only $10. Will I watch it again, sure. It kills time on a lazy Saturday. But if you want good fight choreography, go check out MK, MKII or something from China. There's a reason very few people have heard of this film...except for the actors' students, who are hurling around 4 and 5 star reviews based on that fact alone.



5. hmm... this may have been the worst martial arts movie ive ever seen..lol, they use a gamecube, christmas tree lights and a bike helmet for there cool "virtual reality system".. fight scenes are very pathetic, If your interested in a real martial artist, watch some of tony jaa's stuff, hes good, maybe even close to Bruce lee's level.

1 comments about Capoeira 100% Spectacular-D.

1. This DVD is in a PAL format which is more common is Western Europe and parts of north Africa. The DVDs in the U.S. are NTSC formatted. What this means is it may not play on your DVD. Older DVD players may not play PAL format but most new and inexpensive DVD players and computers (Mac or PC) with DVD players can. So check your DVD players guide before purchasing. If you have an old DVD player that does not play PAL and would like to enjoy these DVDs do yourself a favor and buy a new and inexpensive DVD player. I bought a phillip for $30 at Best Buy that plays these DVDs.
   
   In my review I will assume that the person who is interested in what the video is about will already have some capoeira background on the names of some of the movements and other aspects of capoeira. My intent is not on teaching or explaining capoeira but to cover what is in this video.
   
   `Capoeira 100% Spectacular' is a fun video on Capoeira to watch. This video is mainly of clips of different rodas of both regional and angola. It does show some clips of samba de rodas and maculelê. There are a few capoeira classes or schools that teach samba de roda and maculele as well because of the shared history for each of the art. For anyone who is interested or participates in capoeira will enjoy watching `100% Capoiera Spectacular.' This video is directed and produced by Christophe Diez who has made a four other videos on the topic of capoeira `Basic Techniques of Capoeira,' `100% Regional,' `100% Capoeira,' and `Rodas de Capoeira.'
   
   The clips are of different rodas some on the street and others indoors in gymnasium that pan back and forth between the different rodas. However, the clips are not necessarily long about 20 seconds to a minute at the most. This keeps the pace moving a long. In my opinion having the clips panning all the time keeps the viewer's interest. The camera work is great. I have seen quiet a few of capoeira videos where it is on a tri pod, which doesn't follow the action if it moves out of range, or held by someone who doesn't know how to hold a camera or position the camera so the action is in balance. The camera work done on this DVD is done by someone who knows how to use the camera. The camera follows the action around the roda and keeps in balance, level, still and focus. What is also unique about this video is that there are several camera angles panning back and forth on the same roda. Again, having the camera angle switch back and forth provides more stimulation for the viewing pleasures on the same roda. The different angles can be from one side to the other or from ground level to looking down on the roda. While most of the players are advance it does show rodas with player at all levels but this does not take a way from the fun of this video. In fact I think it adds to it by showing what capoiera is an art for people at all levels with different strength and weakness.
   
   This DVD does not have illustrations and instructions on how to do the basic movements of capoeira. It was not intended for that. If you want a step by step video on some of the movements to help review the movements learned in class watch `Basic Techniques of Capoeira' and or `100% Capoeira' both also by director Christophe Diez. However, the purpose of this video was to show clips of entertaining rodas and I think Christophe achieved that in this DVD because of the great camera work, the changing camera angles and the panning back and forth of different rodas. This DVD shows the music, the movement, and the martial art of capoeira. Anyone who is involved in capoeira and finds themselves trying to explain what capoeira is to a friend, who has never heard of the word capoeira, can now easily explain it to his/her friend by showing this DVD. For those of us that have tried to describe capoeira know that is a difficult thing to do.

4 comments about Nunchaku.

1. This guy is great. Master Yong Kil Song, former Captain of the Emergency Response Unit for The Korean Special Forces and Master of several Martial Arts including Taekwondo, Yudo, Hapkido (my favorite) and Weapons Expert including Sai, Tonfa and of course Nunchaku/Nunchucks.

   This Top Rate DVD is superior to anything close out there teaching:

   Grips
   Blocks
   Strike Essentials
   Transitions
   Drills
   Origin, other Weapon Applicaions and more.

   Within the first 5 minutes Master Song is already demonstrating reverse grip attacks even I have'nt seen, and I thought I'd seen it all. The whole DVD is full of suprises like that, and is also rather excellent about extending and evolving initial Nunchuck strikes into multitudes of combinations where you're sometimes glad that every technique is also demonstrated in slow motion so you don't miss how they otherwise twist and spin like a whirlwind in the hands of this extraordinary Master and Teacher. It is also very good that it is made clear that alhough Nunchaku is a *LETHAL Weapon*, it's dynamic power must not be used to bring harm to anyone, but also an ideal tool to sharpen one's coordinative skills and reflexes, builld strength and agility for your hands and fingers for empty hand Martial Arts and also enhances your gracefulness with Sword and other Weapon Arts. Looking forward now towards the Nunchaku Forms Video to apply and challenge myself in mastering the new techinques I learned here.




2. This instructional dvd is very abridged, even for a beginner, like me, it doesn't bring much help. It's way too basic, it doesn't show neither combat techniques using the weapon, nor more advanced techniques, only the essential of the essential. We never see the nunchaku being used on a man-to-man confrontation, or in action against other weapons, for instance.
   I guess this dvd only helps the absolute newcomer to martial arts, but the title should be rewritten: NUNCHAKU FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS. ONLY THE ESSENTIALS. Along with this new classification, the price could also drop, let's say, to less than 10 bucks, because there's nothing in this dvd that justifies it being more expensive than many of the classic movies. So, dear friend, being a beginner or even a martial arts expert, save your money, I'm sure that there are better materials out there. As for the beginners, you would be much better off watching some good old master Bruce Lee's films than trying to learn from this video. I mean its philosophy is good, the movements are shown in slow motion and in a side angle, but that's not enough to make this dvd any good. Master Young seems tpo be tired and bored most of the time.
   I'm no artial marts expert, quite the opposite in fact, but I tell you this, I learned a lot more by only watching Lee's movements in his films and then trying to follow along than by the contents of this dvd. Any dvd which comprises less than 60 minutes (its total running time is approximately 70 minutes, but this is due to more than 10 minutes of propaganda of other martial arts) can't cost 30 bucks. Save your money. The extra star goes for the minimum amount of movements I could get from this dvd.



3. I'd fooled around with a pair of nunchuks on and off, but never had any formal instuction. I knew how to swing them and catch, but that was about it. Since buying this DVD (about 2 months ago) I've learned not just the basic strikes and catches, but some awesome looking combinations. The slow motion views really help you get the details down right (and avoid hitting yourself in the head!) while the full speed demonstrations give you something to work toward. Don't expect to just pick up a pair of chuks and pop this dvd in and go but with a lot of practice and repeated watching of the dvd to pick up the nuances, you'll be looking like a pro in no time. Next up on my list: the forms dvd by this same instructor, which has double chuks on it.



4. I bought this dvd because I hoped to learn more fundamental single-nunchaku drills. My school teaches nunchaku, but mainly for forms - hence, I wanted to build a general proficiency.
   
   This dvd provides very good coverage of basic techniques and progresses up to techniques of sufficient difficulty that a beginner will definitely get many hours of practice out of this course. Plus, if you are wondering "how flashy does this stuff get", rest assured that the later moves provide enough flash to look good in a demo or competition if done with sufficient speed and control.
   
   The format is very good: he describes the move, demonstrates at full speed, it's shown at slow speed, then he expects you to follow along for a few reps. Side-views are also shown as needed. Overall, I found the format to be easy to understand, and it's pretty easy to pause and "rewind" a dvd so you can watch the material as many times as you want.
   
   I only give it 4 stars though because his explanations are somewhat brief and not always clear. The instructor definitely teaches more by demonstration than explanation.

No comments about Drunken Master.

1 comments about Legend of the Eight Samurai/Shogun's Ninja.

1. This is a tough movie to follow, and a real departure for Chiba from the 80's kung-fu stuff. This is basically Kabuki theatre on film. I can't recommend it for kung fu fans, but it is an interesting piece of cheaply-available DVD fodder for Chiba fans.
   Certainly worh the few dollars. Can't tell if it was filmed in widescreen or not for sure, but the DVD is full-frame.

5 comments about Fist of the North Star Volume 1.

1. Fist of the North Star is so unbelievably retardation-inducing it's hilarious. In that sense, and that sense alone, it is entertaining. But...my God, I don't even know where to begin in critiquing that show. So I'll just say the first couple of things that enter my mind. That girl, Lynn, is the most absurdly high-pitched annoyance out of all the main female characters - everytime I hear her say "Ken!, my ears feel like Kenshiro himself has punctured them. She serves as a perpetual reminder of why I converted to manga in the first place (lack of painful audio). I swear, she and the other kid must have only been put in the series to mock other anime children. Julia is not beautiful, just annoying. It's as pathetically simplistic as an NES game, but without the nostalgic or warm feelings. The artwork is horrendous.
   
   This anime makes the Mortal Kombat movies look like martial arts masterpieces and Ranma 1/2 look serious.
   
   As for the rest of the critique, I think it would be best for me to simply transcribe the gorgeously non-cliched script:
   You're already dead!
   You're already dead!
   YURIAAAAA (Julia) !
   YURIAAAAA (Julia) !
   YURIAAAAA (Julia) !
   YURIAAAAA (Julia) !
   HELL HELL HELL!
   Pressure point attack!
   Pressure point attack!
   Pressure point attack!
   Love me Julia, love me! LOVE ME!
   Evil bad people disturb our village!
   Evil bad people disturb out village!
   
   Sorry for the spam, but I figured some would enjoy it, since some enjoy the show.



2. This without a doubt one of the best anime's ever. The story is great and the action scenes is some of the best I ever seen and I been watchin anime for years. But these prices is insane. This movie is not worth 80 bucks. I know websites to find this for at least 9.95 but if I wrote it down, then these price gougin' goofs would probably buy all the s*** up and sell'em for these wacked out prices. This movie is awesome but you can find it cheaper.
   Well I go ahead and hopefully give a helpful review. Fist of the northstar takes place during post apocalyptic time on earth where food and water is scarce. There's armies fighting for the best land and survival. The main character Ken delivers final justice to those who oppress the weak. The fighting scenes are possibly the best you will ever see. I highly recommend this movie but not for the price these goofs is chargin'.



3. The reviews for this item are about the LIVE ACTION FILM and not Volume 5 of the TV series Fist Of The North Star derived from the serialized strip and manga of the same name. This review is ACTUALLY about Fist Of The North Star Volume 5 which contains episodes 29-36 in the 1984 Toei Animation series.
   
   The 5th DVD in this collection follows the Fang Clan/Toki storyline of the series. Ken is the Heir Of Hokuto Shinken, the LONE practioner/possessor of the power of the School Of The Great Bear. This series is an offshoot of the manga. Those of you that saw the ANIME FILM FIRST WILL BE CONFUSED AS HELL BY THE SERIES!
   
   The film came TWO YEARS AFTER THE TV SERIES WAS PRODUCED. In the film Julia/Yulia/Yuria lives. In the manga/series she dies. In the film Rei dies. In the manga/series he lives. Raoh DOES NOT MAKE AN APPEARANCE IN THE SERIES...HE IS SHOWN AND MENTIONED BUT IS NEVER ENCOUNTERED. Toki appears (sort of) in the series/manga BUT NOT IN THE MOVIE...HE IS NEVER EVEN MENTIONED!
   Bart (or Bat as he's known in the manga) and Lynne are with Ken throughout the 36 episodes, as are a few friends that end up dead and finish with Mamiya, the warrior woman. At the end of the series, you realize that it was made so that ANOTHER 36 EPISODES WERE FORTHCOMING...IT NEVER HAPPENED. I'll fill you in on what comes next (hint: The New Fist Of The North Star and Movie explained it).
   
   Ken hunts for Toki, he runs into Raoh's minions and beats them all with Mamiya, Rei, Bart and Lynne in tow. He never finds Toki. Mamiya dies. Rei dies. He fights Raoh and beats him. Raoh sees he was wrong and pays respect to Ryuken's grave. He comes back and Ken becomes his advisor/counselor. Raoh has a son. Ken agrees to teach Raoh's son since he is the only heir to Hokuto Shinken. Ken leaves AGAIN to find Toki....he ends up in The New Fist Of The North Star. Confused? Of course you are! If you're not a fan of the series and need closure on how the quest pans out then don't bother yourself. If you are then you better try looking on the internet for all of the Fist stories you can find. One.



4. You have to get the original movie version, not the new or old series. This film kicks so much ass, it's an apocalyptic kung-fu movie about fighting for good instead of wasting what is left of the earth on oppression and power over others with brute force and fear. The sons of a martial arts master have all grown powerful beyond belief, and when an old friend of Ken, the youngest and noblest son, decides to demand Ken's woman out of jealousy, The Fist of the Northstar (Ken) is defeated and all of the brothers start seizing power in their own barren lands, and starts the twisted fate of the revitalisation of the Earth.
   
   The anime series (both of them) and the original movie remake can't possibly compare at all with the greatness of the ORION japanimation movie, the whole movie has a point and uses kung-fu and love to make an interesting story about doing what's right in a new dark age of man, eventually giving hope for the fate of a better future.



5. In a post-nuclear future world where water and food are scarce and nothing seems to grow from the earth, those who are strongest rule. One such man is called Kenshiro, and he is the successor of the Hokuto Shinken fighting style which uses pressure points to destroy the opponent's body from within. When Ken's woman is stolen from him by his former friend, he is left for dead and his older brothers each attempt to replace him as the new Fist of the North Star. Ken is not dead, however, and returns stronger than ever. He journeys to reclaim his lost love, fighting evil gangs along the way and picking up two young sidekicks, a boy named Bart and a special little girl named Lynn. Through his quest, he is forced to do battle with his old friend and both of his brothers in an effort to defeat those who would prevent rebirth in the radiation ravaged world.
   
   Playing out much like a spaghetti western or grindhouse flick, "Fist of the North Star" is rather entertaining in terms of action, violence, and gore. Plenty of heads explode, and superhuman strength and size seems to abound in the future. The story is rather simple, and yet the film leaves the viewers with some questions in the end about certain key characters disappearing or having out-of-nowhere changes of heart. Overall, I'd say this is worth seeing if you like grindhouse type revenge films or martial arts focused Anime, and it's definitely an important film to see for animation fans. I'm not a big fan of this particular style of Anime (I tend to prefer the cleaner looking types with lots of cute, big-eyed girls in short skirts), but this is one of the first Anime features to be a hit in the U.S. (dubbed into English in 1991), making it historically significant to the fan of film and animation. The film was originally released in 1986, and before that it was a TV series and a manga. A live-action movie and other productions have been made since. The U.S. VHS release, by the way, contains the true original ending, though some mistakenly believe the other ending is the original.