Best of the Best (1989) is the tournament film Eric Roberts, James Earl Jones and Phillip Rhee built when Hollywood thought the karate boom was already over. Chuck Liddell later called it his favourite martial arts movie. The video store already knew.
Directed by Bob Radler. Produced by Phillip Rhee and Peter E. Strauss. Written by Paul Levine from a story by Phillip Rhee and Paul Levine.
Alex Grady (Eric Roberts) is a Portland welder and widowed father pulled back onto the US team with a body that should have said no. The shoulder is part of the story, not a footnote. Coach Frank Couzo (James Earl Jones) has to turn five mismatched fighters into one unit before they face South Korea in Seoul. Tommy Lee (Phillip Rhee) is carrying more than a title fight. Travis Brickley (Chris Penn) brings the fuse. Catherine Wade (Sally Kirkland) brings a second coaching voice Couzo does not want. Simon Rhee plays Dae Han Park. Louise Fletcher, John Dye, David Agresta, John P. Ryan and Tom Everett round out the company.
Shot in Los Angeles and Seoul in early 1989. Released 10 November 1989 by Taurus Entertainment. About $5 million in, $14.1 million out, then three sequels. Critics were cold. Fighters were not.
Matt and Malcolm get to the Chedda on the training camp, the Seoul tournament, the Rhee brothers, Roberts working through that shoulder, and why this one still plays as a team drama that just happens to kick.
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