Of course, when Sean David Lowe announced the Kickstarter and said that "Can't believe it", - the actor was cunning. Announcing such an ambitious project, with such an impressive cast, is almost a guaranteed success. But success is only in raising money, for now. Fans of hand-to-hand action films of the 80-90s, in tribute to which the creators promised to make a film "Last Kumite" (The Last Kumite), brought money from all over the world. What did they “buy” into?
The first teaser trailer for the action movie in the style of the 80-90s "The Last Kumite"
Incidental music
The teaser features nostalgic music that will send goosebumps down the spine of true fans of retro action films. And here it is, the first big name - Paul Herzog. The composer wrote music for cult films with Van Damme and Bolo Yen - "Bloody sport", "Fire Breather" And "kickboxer"(1989).
The performer of Herzog's works is Stan Bush, it was he who recorded the hit "Never Surrender" for "Kickboxer". And his "Fight to Survive" - the main soundtrack of "Bloodsport". In "The Last Kumite" his future hit is called "No Surrender".
But not music alone, of course. What's sparked worldwide interest in this attempt to play on nostalgia is a cast that consists almost entirely of martial arts film icons:
Cynthia Rothrock
Karate champion, holder of 6 black belts in various types of martial arts, and the prototype of Sonya Blade from Mortal Kombat, - Cynthia Ann Christine Rothrock. She has confidently held the lead among female filmmakers since 1985. They wrote about her:
The ponytail is better than Seagal, the chest is better than Schwarzenegger, the look outshines the eyes of Van Damme and Norris. Moreover, unlike Stallone and Willis, she defeats the villains, confidently moving in high heels!
Her star journey began with Asian action films, the first of which was Yes, Madam! and the subsequent “Millionaire Express”, “Above the Law”, “Tiger Claws”. Of course, “No Retreat, No Surrender 2” and almost a hundred other films in which Rothrock debunked the myth of the “weak” female sex.
Billy Blanks
Another titled movie fighter on The Last Kumite team. Perhaps the most titled and the most “sporty”, because still practices physical education todayas a way of life. He was a seven-time world champion in karate, captain of the US national team in this type of martial arts, and was also inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame. In addition, he has a black belt in taekwondo and even kung fu.
Blanks's sports background gave him success in action films. He played Don Wilson in The Bloody Fist, with JKVD in AWOL, although he was not allowed to open up there. But paired with Lauren Avedon in "King of kickboxers" (1990) Billy showed the highest class of on-screen fights.
Matthias Hughes
German martial artist, black belt holder in karate and heavyweight kickboxing titles. The cult movie villain of the 90s action films, who worked as a bouncer in a club before the films, thanks to his impressive physical characteristics.
Best known for the film "Angel of Death" with the phrase: "I come in peace", - which we all heard in Volodarsky's translation. He played in "Black Belt" with Don Wilsomn, 2 parts of "Kickboxer" (1990), "Knuckledusters" (1995), and also crossed paths Billy Blanks in the action films "Cop 2000".
Overall, the image Matthias Hughes - this is exactly what one of the first things that comes to mind when you hear the word “movie villain”.
Michelle and Abdel Kissi
If we talk about actors who played villains very successfully in action films of the 90s, then we cannot mention the legendary Tong Po played by Michel Kissi in Kickboxer you simply can’t. Fortunately, he is also in the “Last Kumite” cohort along with his brother, Abdelem.
Both brothers have been boxing since childhood; Abdel even tried to build his career in the sport.
Despite the fact that special achievements in martial arts Michel He can’t boast, he has a direct connection to hand-to-hand cinema. He walked with the ZhKVD in his most famous films - “Bloody Sport”, actually “Kickboxer”, in which he also did choreography, “AWOL” in 1990, where both brothers played. And in “Cyborg” he didn’t play a role, but he coached Van Damme.
In 1991, Michel Kissi returned to the role that immortalized him in the action movie classic, playing Tong Po in Kickboxer 2. And the second brother, Abdel, became the main antagonist JCVD in search of adventures".
Kurt McKinney
The main character of the cult action movie of the 80s"Don't give up, don't give up", which was dedicated to the memory of Bruce Lee, - Kurt Robin McKinney. Although the film was not particularly commercially successful, it became a classic for fans of hand-to-hand action films, and at the same time elevated the McKinney.
Kurt also has a background in martial arts - at the age of 21 he already had a black belt in taekwondo, and was also an amateur champion in kickboxing.
He starred with Cynthia Rothrock in "Bloody revenge". Could have become a key character in "American Ninja", but he was too young for this role. But when he was already offered a role in the 3rd and 4th parts of this franchise, he refused, just as he refused to act in the second part of "Don't give up, don't give up".
Synergy of generations
The above-mentioned cast of seasoned film warriors of the 80s and 90s is intended to carry the spirit of cinema of that time, but without the actors of the next generation, purely “technically” it will not be possible to realize the plan. And the “youngsters” were also not recruited from the street.
- Mathis Landwehr - promising German actor, stuntman and martial artist who participated already more than 40 films, if you count the short films.
- Mike Moeller - a super technical film fighter from Germany with a serious track record as a stuntman. Worked with Landwehr on "Ultimate Justice", but is better known by "One Million K(l)icks".
- Emilien De Falco - a film fighter of French origin who began his career in "13th district", and grew to "Strike: Undeniable".
- David Kurzhal - famous YouTube blogger "Viking Samurai". I don’t have a lot of experience in cinema, but I have good physical qualities and an audience.
- Azhel Orelia - "dark horse", but is declared as "One of Hollywood's most respected stunt performers, Aurelia is a true fighter. Just wait and see."We'll wait and see.
- David "Bolo Young" Ian - seems to have been included in the film as a substitute for his father, who was unable to join :)
"..And in all this shit I'm covering for you.."
A huge responsibility will fall on the shoulders of the director of this ambitious project, Ross W. Clarkson. He has extensive experience as a cameraman - his track record includes: "Undisputed" 2\3, "Mechanic", "Ninja 2", "Never Give Up 3".... however, there is not a lot of directing work (Vixen, General Commander, Captured). Let's hope everything works out.
Plot
And in this, the filmmakers remained faithful to the canons. Everything is categorically simple - battle for the sake of salvation! Michael Rivers, an experienced martial artist, is forced to participate in an illegal fighting tournament to save his daughter. In the process, he discovers that other martial artists are also forced to fight to save their loved ones.
The exact date has not yet been officially announced, but there are rumors that the action movie will be released in the spring of 2024.
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Tags: Never Surrender, The Last Kumite, Abdel Kissi, Azhel Orelia, Billy Blanks, David Yen, David Kurzhal, Kira Kortenbach, Kurt McKinney, Mike Moeller, Mathis Landwehr, Matthias Hughes, Michelle Kissi, Paul Herzog, Last Kumite, Ross Clarkson, Cynthia Rothrock, Sean David Lowe, Emilien De Falco
Tags: Never Surrender, The Last Kumite, Abdel Kissi, Azhel Orelia, Billy Blanks, David Yen, David Kurzhal, Kira Kortenbach, Kurt McKinney, Mike Moeller, Mathis Landwehr, Matthias Hughes, Michelle Kissi, Paul Herzog, Last Kumite, Ross Clarkson, Cynthia Rothrock, Sean David Lowe, Emilien De Falco
As for me, this is just an attempt by forgotten pensioners to earn extra money as a nurse
"Radish. Not a good person." We must believe in the best!
No respect for experienced movie fighters. Oh how ugly.)