The Last Kumite

I understand this was a kickstarter funded film wanting to go back to the 80's style of martial arts movies but this was just poor.

Ok you can't get the best actors, martial arts stars but the script/storytelling is so basic it just feels like no effort was put in whatsoever. There is nothing in this that even remotely seems like effort was involved. It is the paint by numbers version of a martial arts movie which would be fine if it was made on tight budget by a studio but this was crowd funded yet so little effort was put in. It's not unwatchable but it is also just poor even for 'this' type of movie.

No enthusiasm from the actors. Incoherent storyline. No uniquness just copying jcvd's inital movie and even the villain in this movie sounds like drago from rocky 4. The last kumite will certainly be 'the last' of those old school actors, they could have been used much better. Even david yeung should have more airtime. You put egotistical people like viking samurai in this film makes it even more rubbish. Avoid . Good thing jcvd or scott adkins didn't sign up for this bs movie. I don't think the directors or producers have any idea how to film or be creative. The set looked like a very cheap theatre stage. Possibly the worst 'fighting' movie I've ever seen. Even some of the training scenes are a replica from kickboxer , one of viking samurai's lines is a straight up plagiarism from bloodsport 2 as well, when he says 'if we get matched up I ain't holding back'. Viking samurai aka david kurzhal also does a flop when he attempt's jcvd's helicoper kick, viking bends his knees, like seriously dude have you got no creativity make your own unique moves instead of just being a ripoff and a poor one at that. The only female in the kumite again parallel to bloodsport 2. The flashback kurt mckiney has of dracko in the mirror again copying bloodsport 1 when van damme thinks he saw bolo while he was on the bus. So many plagiarisms. If this was a spoof then it would have a different effect, seriously the acting is so bad at times it does make you laugh. Nothing like bloodsport just a very poor ripoff.

In the world of great remakes (like Cobra Kai), this is an amateur try. Despite of a wonderful cast that gathers some former cult names of the martial arts movie world like Kurt McKinney, Matthias Hues, Cinthia Rothrock and Billy Blanks - all of them playing together should be kind of a sensation -the movie seems pale. Don´t get me wrong: The original Bloodsport also has some less professional scenes (like the backflashes to Frank Dux´past), but is a lot more epic. It´s also obvious how incredibly handsome, elegant and charismatic JCVD was in such a movie. Mathis Landwehr is a fit an sympathetic, probably very skilled fighter, but seems quite unimportant in comparence. This may also be due to the films budget, which is less than Bloodsport had 30 years ago. Most of it probably was used for the actors, so there wasn´t much left for the script (big mistake!), camera and locations. Probably culty to watch for some, but a "fan-movie" that will be forgotten quickls.

The Last Kumite attempts to emulate the success of "Bloodsport" but falls flat with its amateurish acting and predictable storyline. The performances are cringe-worthy, lacking depth and authenticity, making it difficult to connect with any of the characters. The fight scenes, meant to be the film's highlight, come across as clumsy and uninspired, failing to capture the intensity and skill seen in similar martial arts films. Overall, this Bloodsport rip off disappoints as a cheap imitation that struggles to rise above its low-budget origins, offering little more than a forgettable viewing experience.

The opening, hats off, images, sound and style look like a truly authentic journey through time. However, the opening tournament brings you back down to earth, not really great martial arts. Eastern Europe as the location for the kumite is the final reality check, I really would have liked an Asian setting. That might have given a real boost to the search for the longed-for old charm, but as it is it's just another cheap Eastern European action production. I don't want to grumble at this point, the budget was limited, more would certainly have been possible with more. The story meanwhile takes wild turns, logic is a foreign concept, one nonsense follows the next. The training sequences with Billy Blanks are more of a bad joke. In general, the film is obviously a reference to Bloodsport, so it has to put up with comparisons. I've already said something about the location, but the choice of fighters doesn't make it any better. The attempt at diversity is certainly the right idea, but it lacks profile. Starting with the main character Lasko, the Fist of God, no Van Damme, to the main opponent Dracko, no Bolo Yeung. Nice to see Kurt McKinney again, by far the best actor. Another highlight for me was Bolo Yeun's son, wow, an absolute spitting image. Unfortunately, barely there and already gone. Cynthia Rothrock, well, never my favourite, her age certainly doesn't make it any better. The latter also applies to Matthias Hues, but thanks to him, one of the driving forces behind the production.

Ultimately, not the review I wanted, and perhaps even too good a rating. I still recommend a viewing, simply to appreciate the idea and the effort. A gift to fans should be honoured accordingly, even if one or two things don't quite fit.