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Sci-Fighter (2004)

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12 comments in total

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6 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
Very bad, even for a straight-to-DVD release, 3 settembre 2005

Author: davideo-2 da Birmingham,England

STAR RATING: ***** The Works **** Just Misses the Mark *** That Little Bit In Between ** Lagging Behind * The Pits

There were some things I was aware of before I even sat down to see Sci-Fighter. I knew the plot regarding a video game that sucks users into it whereby they must fight to come out alive was laughably ridiculous. I knew Don 'the Dragon' Wilson couldn't act his way out of a wet paper bag. And I knew it was a low budget sci-fi actioner, so I didn't get my hopes up too much. I just sat back, switched off my brain and tried to enjoy a guilty piece of fun. That I still came away very disappointed should speak volumes of the lowly piece of trash I was treated to.

The cast and director of Wilson's previous dud Redemption are re-teamed here. Though the film styles are different, they are as big a let-down as one another.

The film has a really cheap looking feel. I know it's made for DVD, but these are almost of home video standard. And the fights are really tepid. This is especially bad since the film proudly boasts a host of martial arts stars and their accomplishments in the lead roles.

Story-wise, the plot is incoherent and really badly paced, meaning one scene doesn't relate well to the next and there's the clichéd, stereo-typical angle of the dead mother and father and son struggling to bond sub-plot.

I knew this wasn't going to be a work of high-art. I only had minimalist expectations for a cheap, harmless bit of fun. It speaks volumes that this couldn't even accomplish this. *

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7 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
It's bad by Don "The Dragon" Wilson's standards. That's saying something isn't it?, 3 maggio 2005

Author: aloep da Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland

I've always had a soft spot for Don "The Dragon" Wilson's films. None of them are great films, but the likes of the Cybertracker films, Ring Of Fire series and Out For Blood with PM Entertainment were very entertaining B-flicks. However, signing a contract with Roger Corman probably wasn't the wisest idea as many of these films are low quality and not very interesting. I wasn't expecting a lot from this when I rented it, but wasn't ready for incredibly bad cinematic cheesefest thrown at me. This is a bad film. This is BAD. Although it may have some comedy value, there are far more more entertaining examples of "so bad it's good" films so I can't think of one good reason to watch this.

If anything, the career of Art Camacho serves as proof that sometimes the production company has more influence on a film than the director. The only film he directed that was actually worth anything was "Recoil" for PM Entertainment but everything in it screams "Joseph Merhi" who was the main man behind PM Entertainment and bears nothing in common with the movies Art Camacho directed for other production companies, so I highly doubt he was responsible for making the movie turn out the way it did. Since the demise of PM he's been responsible for ultra forgettable efforts like 13 Dead Men and Redemption as well as the hilariously bad Albert Pyun tribute film Gangland. But with Sci-Fighter it seems he's hit a new low!

First, it's quite remarkable that a movie like this could be made in 2004. The whole "Virtual Reality" thing is so 1992. There's a good reason why nobody makes movies like "The Lawnmower Man" and "Arcade" anymore, and that's because computers have become an integral part of our everyday life and nobody finds it scary anymore. Likewise, "Virtual Reality" has all but died. Nobody is really interested in plugging some bulky object into their head anymore and awkwardly trying to control it through a sub-standard design as the good old computer monitor or TV screen is a lot more convenient and comfortable. The antiquated plot is about a "genius" who creates a virtual reality fighting sim for his grandson. Apparently while you're playing it takes control of your mind so in case you hadn't already figured something similar, a virus gets into it and locks his mind inside the game so his Dad jumps to the rescue and the only way to free him is to complete every level according to Grandpa. Woohoo! Sounds great doesn't it? Now let's just think about that for a second shall we? A virus gets into it? Firstly, viruses can't just generate out of nowhere. Programmers write viruses. And a virus that runs on one platform won't work as another in the same vein that a PS2 game won't work in an XBOX. Somebody would have had to have coded a virus for this game while it was in production. And dang, how does old Grandpa know that the only way out is to complete all the levels if he's never seen the virus before? But we're getting carried away now, as we all know this completely stupid and nonsensical plot is just a thin excuse for fight scene after fight scene. So how does it fair on this scale? Not very well, is the answer. All of the fights take place in areas clearly inspired from beat em up video games but unfortunately none of them are particularly well choreographed and have no real interesting touches so it just comes off as tiresome.

As for the performances, all I really thought about Don was "poor guy". He's just left with a bad part, and when his character isn't fighting, all he does is moan about his sons behaviour. Even when Grandpa shows him this virtual reality game, he just hits out with "There's no way he's going to be playing this". Would you respond like that if you were introduced to a device which brought your mind into another world? And then there's Cynthia Rothrock, who goes around dressed in clothes that look 25 years too young for her. At one point she's referred to as "a lovely young lady" which gave me a good laugh. As for Lorenzo Lamas, he's there. There I said, he's there. No more, no less. He only appears in a few scenes and interacts with about 2 other characters. I'm still trying to come up with a good reason for this character to exist, and I'm not finding one. It's painfully obvious that he was just cast for name value alone so they can plaster the names of three B-grade stars on the cover.

Overall, the premise made this doomed from the start but I wasn't expecting the huge levels of stupidity it threw at me. It's cheap, it's boring and although there are a few unintentional laughs along the line, they aren't worthy of the price of a rental. Best left to collect dust at the bottom of the video shelf for years to come.

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5 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
Don's best but a bit of a letdown!, 12 gennaio 2005

Author: Thomas Jolliffe (supertom-3) da Marlow, England

Imagine my surprise and my glory when I saw this puppy at my local blockbusters, having appeared out of nowhere. I was excited about this all last year because it was a collection of B-movies star to make you proud. Don Wilson, Cynthia (Jubblies! I like the Jubblies!) Rothrock and Lorenzo Lamas. Unfortunately it ended up being standard Don fare with a ludicrous plot about a virtual reality fighting game that goes haywire and in essence is an excuse for loads of fights. The fights are very routinely done and Don Wilson continues his annoying trend of pulling his punches and forcing out the choreogrpahy slowly and without timing. I have never seen him look lightening quick in a film. Granted I have not seen all his movies but for a legendary kick boxer her certainly looks like he can't fight when it comes to his movies. Dan Mayid, who plays his son in this film puts him to shame and looks like he could have a bright future as an action star, he is certainly a better actor than his mentor. Mayid was interestingly enough cast at a marital arts convention. He is a big fan of Don, he showed him a few moves and they cast him as his son. Great stuff.

Problems in this film arise because there are loads of fights and most are from Don, while Mayid and the other leads have a lot less to do. Rothrock has one fight which is good and she still kicks but like the best of them, whilst showing her ample jubilee off in a cleavage boosting low cut dress. Lorenzo has a brief bit but he is essentially a cameo part, which is a shame because he is the best actor of the lot, by far. I'd have preferred him in the lead because he fights better than Don. The film is still reasonably fun though because it is so cheesy and they have some clichéd and hokey drama in it that is so badly done you can't help but laugh.

The film also features a score from Vince DiCola responsible for two scores I loved in the 80's in Transformers and Rocky 4, however this is not 80's style and his score is mostly generic, aside from some moments that have the Vince pazzazz. Overall this film has great curiosity value but for those expecting something great, you'll be disappointed. It was a fairly ambitious idea for a Don film but is letdown by poor execution on most parts. Only Rothrocks boobies and the potential of Mayid (An amazing athlete, and young enough to develop into at least an acceptable actor)make this worthwhile but that's about it. **

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2 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Martial Arts Movie with over 15 top notch Martial Artists, 27 novembre 2006

Author: christgatto da United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

As they say in the behind the scenes, "Sci (X-treme) Fighter Rules!". If you like marital arts, and watch cheesy Kung-Fu Hong Kong style movies, they you will love the action in this movie!!! This is a Martial Arts Movie with over 15 real top notch Martial Artists. Yes, the acting is poor, and story is cheesy (just like most Kung Fu movies). But, the way to watch this is to watch the "Making Of" on the DVD first, and then watch the movie. You will then know who the real martial artists starring in this movie are. You can then watch it as a demonstration of real, and sometimes intriguing, martial arts skills. Don "The Dragon" Dragon Wilson is a 11 years in a row kick boxing champion. He fights in this movie 2 of his real former kick boxing opponents: Dewey the black cobra Cooper, and the infamous Maurice Smith. Maurice Smith is an infamous kick boxer and now Mixed Martial Arts competitor, who had a fight the day before the movie shoot, and is referred to in popular martial arts magazines. Cyntha Rothrock is one of the most famous women martial artists with black belts in 6 different disciplines, is a record holding 5 times forms champion, and was the first American women to break into Hong Kong Kung Fu movies, where the action is all but real. Lorenzo Lamas is a 3rd degree black belt. Dan Mayid is the young co-star of this movie, who is a 3rd degree black belt in Kempo Karate. His forms and fighting skills in this movie are phenomenal. Bob Wall, from Bruce Lee's enter the dragon, comments interestingly on the state of martial arts in the "Making Of" special. Christine Bannon-Rodrigues is a professional martial arts teacher with high skills in Wu Shu and Kempo Karate. She was a competitor for team Paul Mitchell, and has been featured on most martial arts magazines that exists in the world. Eric Lee, famously known as the King of Kata, does several excellent weapons forms, using a sword, rope, and a 3 sections staff. This movie stars a master of Monkey Kung Fu, Michael Gonzales-Matsuda. This is a very unique and interesting martial arts style. My favorite character was Gokor, also know as the Armenian Assissan. He is a famous grappling martial artist who has been undefeated in over 400 no holds barred, Judo, and Sambo fights. Chris Cassamassa is a 7th degree karate black belt whose moves are precise. He is one of the most skilled artists shown, doing barehanded fights, and an interesting kama (sickle) fighting demonstration. The 7th degree taekwondo black-belts, Simon Kim and James Kim, known as the tiger twins, star in this. The strongest looking fighter is this is Brad Verret, a lifetime body builder, and no holds barred fighter. He is the king of the cage fights icon. Rebecca Chaney is an attractive 2nd degree taekwondo black belt with an interesting part. There are also many ninja fighters (probably stunt men) and a lot of beautiful/ attractive women fitness professionals: dancers, actors, models, spokespersons for muscle tech nutrition, all of which add to the fun on this film. A martial arts films with real world class martial artists performing various fidgeting styles and forms, weapons demonstrations, Kung-Fu, taekwondo, karate, monkey style fighting, grappling, and some fantasy sequences, along with a "Making Of" section on the DVD which interviews and tells about the different stars of the movie, make this worth seeing. And they all speak non dubbed perfect English, unlike the typical Kung-Fu movies!!!!!

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2 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Sci-Fighter:The Doc's Review, 13 novembre 2006

Author: Kyle_Hannah

This movie is kung fu crap.It's campy,corny,cheesy,and just appalling.Anyone who can enjoy the random,badly choreographed,slow paced,ridiculously amateur martial arts fight scenes is clearly off their rocker.The storyline screams bad and the plot barely progresses at all.The unbelievable cheesy storyline involves a martial arts student receiving a video game from his grampa in which he and his father get sucked into they then realize that in order to escape they need to beat all of the fighters in the game.Wasn't this on an episode of something like Kim Possible.Hard to believe but the film actually started out OK but after 15 minutes the film becomes a steaming pile of crap.The dialogue is like taking the dialogue from the Mortal Kombat Films,Power Rangers,3 Ninja's,and the English dubbed version of Japanese anime Naruto and creating a hybrid of them all.Don The Dragon Wilson sucks at acting just like the entire cast of this brutally corny film.Stay as far away as you possibly can from this direct to DVD piece of garbage rent something better instead don't waste your time.

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0 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Die-Fighers..., 19 febbraio 2008

Author: Frank Markland da United States

Don "The Dragon" Wilson stars as Jack Tanaka a father of a teenager who goes inside a video game to save his son from a virus which controls his mind. Along the way Wilson is helped by fellow fallen action stars Cynthia Rothrock and Lorenzo Lamas. You would think a movie with so many trained martial artists, in a video game plot which would be nothing but wall to wall fights would be at least mildly diverting campy fun, and if made ten years ago you would be right. X-Treme Fighter is the pits. A movie so bad that it makes one pine for the days of Expect No Mercy, Arcade and Virtual Combat. Indeed those three movies I often sited as the worst examples of said genre where "Guy ends up playing video game in real life when game comes alive." but next to the really lame X-Treme Fighter, these come off as the work of Tron or Dreamscape. It's a really awful picture. Starting with the fight sequences, the video game itself has nothing that would indicate that it takes place in a video game world, outside of the phony costumes. The fight sequences are all very badly staged, for a movie featuring so many martial artists, all of them past their expiration date, don't put out any effort to indicate that anyone choreographed these fights without anything but the least amount of effort. The plot element ripped off from hundreds of movies is derivative and ridiculous. However that's not what bothered me. What bothered me was the complete lack of effort in giving us enjoyable villains, a charismatic hero and indeed intense fight sequences. In a film where the fighting is the main point such must be done well. It isn't here. Lorenzo Lamas has hardly any screen time, Cynthia Rothrock doesn't fight and basically this is a replay of Virtual Combat. A replay that is much, much worse.

1/2* Out of 4-(Awful)

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0 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Should have been better, 14 ottobre 2007

Author: gridoon

Despite the (wooden) family drama and the (half-baked) sci-fi elements, this is essentially a fighting movie, in the style of, say, "Mortal Kombat". The fights are acceptable, but nothing special. The film makes a noble attempt to include a variety of styles (grappling, streetfighting, weapons fighting, "monkey kung fu", etc.), but although all the participants are legitimate martial artists, the director and the choreographers don't get maximum performances out of them. Second and third-billed Cynthia Rothrock and Lorenzo Lamas have one fight each, and Lamas' part is pretty much a cameo; the real second lead after Don "The Dragon" Wilson is Dan Mayid who plays his son, and who is obviously a gifted athlete (and breakdancer!). A lot of cheesy digital effects and some picturesque locations complete the picture....oh, and Rebecca Chaney (The Scorpion) is HOT. Get this girl in more action movies as soon as possible. (**)

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0 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
90 minutes of my life wasted, 19 febbraio 2007

Author: psych-l da United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Please do not blow your money on this DVD, I should have just tuned into the science fiction channel instead of wasting my time on this low grade soap opera disguised as a science fiction movie. Mediocre plot, terrible fight sequences, horrible acting. Don "the dragon" Wilson seemed like he needed a few more lessons, along with his son Brad Tanaka. Dan Mayid was more of a spoiled child than a convincing actor. The cast seemed like a failed attempt to reunite actors who were prestigious martial artists, but lacked a flow.

Overall, don't expect much. If you view it as a cult-comedy, you may have a better time sitting through it.

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2 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
average, rather disappointing film., 11 gennaio 2005

Author: mturnerok@hotmail.com

Now just too clarify I wasn't expecting a brilliantly acted, exceptionally well crafted story when I purchased this DVD.

I was however expecting some quality martial arts fight scenes but I was disappointed in this regard as well........there were 2 or 3 that were fairly good but none of them were great........

The story itself was poorly written, the dialogue was weak and the script needed at least 2 or 3 more re-writes...even for a "B" movie this was weak.

It wasn't a bad idea just needed better execution........one watch for me was more than enough.

On another note, I bought this DVD in England as i am a resident of this country, it also doesn't include the "making of documentary" listed on the back of the DVD box.

Also despite "lorezno lamas" being shown on cover he's only in about 10 minutes of the film..............

OK rental if you are a big Don "the dragon" Wilson fan........but wouldn't recommend a purchase.

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0 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
The power of Gamecube.....only crap, 17 agosto 2005

Author: Dave Taylor

Story in short - old man wants to train fbi agents, buys gamecube, puts sticker over said gamecube and turns it into a powerful combat training game.....WHICH GOES BAD! Bad story, half arsed effects and crap choreography aside this isn't a bad film. If you should think that there is anything besides those three points. Well, there is some quality face-pulling.

The only reason i would give this a two is because its so bad its laughable, and the monkey ninja is hilarious in the fact he doesn't actually do anything other than hop about like a monkey. On the floor. I could get a 9 year old to do just as good a job, and he'd probably do it with more gusto.

In summary, rent/buy if its amazingly cheap (like a quid) or you really have nothing better to do. If you like Forbidden Warrior, you'd probably sit through most of this without laughing. I send out my pity.

Go see Kung Pow or Shaolin Soccer instead. Now.

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