China O'Brien - A Herdeira do Dragão

Average story which should be expected out of a martial arts movie. The major reason to watch this movie is to Cynthia Rothrock kick the villains butts. Originally was written as a project for Jackie Chan before the story was changed around as a film the Cynthia Rothrock. The action sequences are well choreographed. The negatives of China O'Brien(1990) are the sloppy editing and the low budget structure.

This film and its sequel remain among the best Western showcases for Cynthia Rothrock's martial ability. Lori 'China' O'Brien (Rothrock) plays a cop who also teaches martial arts. One night, in an attempt to prove to a disbelieving student that martial arts could be applied to the street, she ends up killing a kid to defend a friend. Overcome with remorse, she resigns from the force and visits her parents. Unfortunately, instead of getting away from the trouble, it found her... As martial arts fare goes, this is not bad. You really felt like Rothrock's performance when she sheds tears at a very nasty incident was quite convincing. Another thing that works in the film's favour is the chemistry between Rothrock and co-star Richard Norton (Australian Karate exponent). As you might expect, though, the fights are what this and its sequel are really about, and these are some of the best Western fights ever, I reckon. None of the slowness of later efforts, and Rothrock's blows look very powerful (Hong Kong actor/director Sammo Hung says they ARE powerful). A big hand to Keith Cooke for his lethal boot-work, though. Switch your brain off and enjoy an early slice of real girl power.

China O'Brien was an attempt to bring Cynthia Rothrock as an action star to American audiences.

She had made an impact in Hong Kong action cinema. Robert Clouse who directed Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon, makes this low budget B movie.

It really is Road House redux, the movie released a year earlier.

China O'Brien is a tough city cop who moves back to her hometown in Utah after the death of a young boy.

Her dad is the sheriff of a small town that is being run by a crime gang headed by Edwin Sommers.

Some of the townsfolk including the local judge are in his payroll.

When her father is killed in an explosion. China O'Brien decides to run for sheriff, to challenge a corrupt cop backed by Sommers.

China and her friends decide to fight back each time an obstacle is put in place by the baddies.

The story is hackneyed. Some of the acting is below par. The movie is about martial arts action.

Here Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke deliver.

China O'Brien; big city police woman; martial arts trainer, is forced to hand in her badge and head home to her father and the small town where she grew up. The peaceful town she knew is now struggling against the clutches of organized crime. When her father, the town sheriff, is killed China decides to run for his position and clean up the town. The poll results spark a series of confrontations that finally decide who runs the town . . .

Cynthia Rothrock displays her martial arts prowess in this enjoyable B-film. The low budget is obvious, the acting is a little amateurish, but there's a strong aura of a sense of right reeking from the three protagonists, especially from Rothrock, and you're rooting for them. Rothrock comes across sincere, sweet and likeable, but of course her main appeal is kicking the bad guys to oblivion and she does that numerous times in some well-choreographed fight scenes. There's enough spinning kicks to send you in a tizzy. And she is ably supported in the kicking the posterior league by Richard Norton and Keith Cooke, both are equally as impressive as Lady Dragon Rothrock. The fight scene in the gym is a standout and inventive. An enjoyable Rothrock vehicle, which I think is her best.

I cannot believe that back when I first saw this thrity-four years ago I thought it was a very cool movie.

Out of boredom I decided to stream this after all these years. I could not stop laughing from start to finish. The acting is so ammateurish it is unbelieveable. The dialogue is so corny it's like an 18 certificate scooby doo!

The aufio is terrible. The music is even worse. I also cannot believe the same guy who directed the great Enter the Dragon also directed this.

Having said all of the above I must point out Cynthia's martial arts skills were truly amazing. Her famous scorpion kick which is her signature move was a delight. Cynthia's moves were about the only highlights of this below average martial arts movie.