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Jeff Speakman was the REAL deal. He was an amazing martial arts star and it’s a shame he didn’t get more roles. He deserved them. I know he still is an amazing martial artist, but he should have had more of a movie career.

Jeff Speakman was combining elements of Forms 4,5,6 and a pinch of Goju Ryu. The reason why he looks at the ground is because he has just "swept" and opponent.

In an interview, Jeff Speakman said that middle part of his kata in the opening scene, he incorparated Goju-Ryu to acknowledge his old sensei. You should watch Scott Adkins "The Art of Action" series he did during the pandemic. Real insight from other world Martial Artists.

If you noticed, the first guy he goes up against in the Korean Martial Arts gym is the same actor/martial artist that plays Sae Jin Kwon in Best of the Best 1-James Lew. Which is why you can see his Tae Kwon Do moves so clearly.

Jeff is the real deal . His form is about constantly evolving the style - they have moved more into a ground game style now due to the rise of cage fighting. He is still teaching

Jeff Speakman is still teaching his form of Karate. He added new elements to the combat on the ground and also added more holds as well.

Fun fact. Kim (Mako) was the voice actor for the original uncle Iroh in Avatar: The Last Airbender before he died. Jimmy Ho (Dante Basco) voiced prince Zuko.

You're right about the older films having better fight choreography. Close up shots and fancy camera angles are typically used to hide the actor's lack of martial arts experience.

Man, this brings back memories. The 90s were good times. Thank you for this sensei.

I forgot Mako was in this film! I watched it on HBO a lot when it was newer, but it's been at least 20 years. What an awesome movie, and Mako is an absolute LEGEND! Speakman was a solid actor and an awesome on-screen martial artist, who never got his honest due, I've always thought. Also, Kempo was the first style I practiced back in 1987 or so, when I was 8. It was cool to see a movie based on my first style!

Master Ed Parker, who was Jeff Speakman's Sensei, was heavily involved with helping him choreograph the fight scenes in this movie. They both wanted people to see real Kenpo in action, not "Hollywood" Kenpo. They both said that there are no moves in this movie that are not actually taught or used in Kenpo dojos.

I met Jeff at a martial arts competition years back. It was a few months after this movie came out. He was so chill and humble. You wouldnt know he was a movie star. We talked for about ten minutes or so. He was really nice.

The knot is off to the side on purpose, I believe. In some Kenpo schools this is a throw back homage to the Chinese roots. The Kung Fu sash is worn with the knot on the side. So, this is a halfway mark between the two ideas to show respect to both the Japanese roots and the Chinese roots of Kenpo.

Jeff was originally a collegiate swimmer or diver (forgot which) which is likely the reason why his lats were that developed. Jeff's first instructor was Tenshi Goju-ryu founder Lou Angel. After he relocated to Los Angeles he began training in American kenpo from white to third degree black belt under Larry Tatum. There's actual video of Jeff at a testing at the school Larry ran for Ed Parker. The kata at the beginning isn't a regular kata per se. It's a mix of several other kenpo forms and some goju inspired movements. In traditional western school they still make you take off your jewelry, for safety reasons obviously. Schools that allow jewelry to be worn or more of the newer generation of schools. As for the 2,000 year old claim, that's something Ed Parker always claimed about kenpo's lineage. He tried to link it back to Bodhidharma to give it some tie to Chinese martial arts. Also in American kenpo only black belts can wear the knot of their belt in the middle. Non black belts must wear it either to the left or right depending on their gender. If you read Parker's Infinite Insights into Kenpo book series he goes into kenpo's "history" and other things. As for the whole "kenpo karate" name thing, kenpo in America has always been rather interesting. James Mitose who brought kenpo to the U.S. from Japan called what he was teaching Shorinji kenpo to kenpo jujitsu to finally Kosho Shorei-ryu kenpo. His most famous student William Chow called what he has teaching kenpo karate, which was continued by his student Parker and son on. On a site note. The actress 12:52 is Mariska Hargitay who is the star of Law & Order: SVU. The first guy that Jeff fought in the gym was James Lew who was in Best of the Best as one of the Korean fighters.

The combo Jeff starts at 24:03 has been one of my favorites from martial arts movies. He uses his movement so effortlessly to advance forward and use the pivot of his body to continue the attack. I just love it

One of my all time favorite martial arts movies. I wish there was a much larger library of Jeff Speakman movies.

He explains in an interview that the opening kata is a form they learn at, (I believe) at the black belt level. Also, you should check out Sidekicks with Chuck Norris. All sorts of random styles under the umbrella of “karate”

Jeff Speakman (born November 8, 1958) is an American actor and a martial artist in the art of American Kenpo and Japanese Gōjū-ryū, earning black belts in each. Between 2008 and 2018, he was President of the International Kempo Federation. Style: American Kenpo, Karate(Gojū-ryū) Rank: 9th degree black belt in American Kenpo Karate 9th degree black belt in Tenshi Goju Kai. Years Active: 1988-present Occupation: Actor Martial Artist

1. Mako was a beloved Japanese-American actor with a long career in movies and TV. 2. Jeff Speakman is a former student of American Kenpo founder Ed Parker; he's considered to be the "keeper of the flame" of Parker's style. 3. The huge dude is Professor Toru Tanaka, a former professional wrestler from Hawaii. I believe that Toru Tanaka is a stage name. Whenever American filmmakers need a huge Asian guy to play an invincible monster Mr. Tanaka was the go-to guy.

I heard Kenpo has this belief where energy flows better on one side for males, and the other for females. they only put the belt in the middle at black belt to show that the kenpoist is balanced.

I forgot James Lew, one of the Korean fighters showcased in Best of the Best was in this movie. Great action scenes.

Thanks for reviewing this bud! Keep doing your thing!

Really happy you're reacting reacting to this. Awesome! 👍

Yes, he is a martial artist first and then went into acting~

I have trained in Shotokan karate under Ohshima Sense and his students. My mother met my father from him teaching her Shotokan karate. I love your channel very much!!! I hope that some time soon you cover the absolutely classic film Enter the Dragon! Did you know that Jim Kelly (one of the three leads of the movie) trained in Shotokan karate? I’m sorry for writing so much and hope that you are having a wonderful time doing these videos! They are really cool and fun! Thank you

That was really insightful. It was discerning but respectful. You’re definitely a classy sensei. Nice work!

Please review the film Black Belt aka Kuro Obi (2007). Apparently the actors are also Shotokan black belts so it would be interesting to hear your in depth analysis of their technique.

So glad you're taking our suggestions Yusuke! Your analysis of this half of the movie was very informative and entertaining. I might dare to say this was your best reaction video so far! I agree that Hollywood has lost it's way when it comes to showcasing martial arts in film. I think that's a part of what makes Cobra Kai such a phenomenon.

Yes, there are some "American Kenpo Karate"-schools which have a tradition of "knot of the belt on side" for students, "knot of the belt on center" for instructors. Maybe Mr. Dan from "Art of one Dojo" can tell you more about it.

I think this is one of the best martial arts movies ever made. The plot follows a familiar formula. The fight scenes feature textbook kenpo techniques with great choreography. Great camera work. The acting is decent. Jeff Speakman is a real martial artist. All around great action with a healthy dose of cheese. Too bad people don't make movies like this anymore.

jeff speakman in the opening kata sequence actually integrated three katas in one. the first two american kenpo forms and then he added a bit of his goju training to see if his goju ryu sensei would notice it in the movie.

Mako is a great actor! He was in an episode of the Green Hornet and actually fought Kato (Bruce Lee). I’m sure that will recognize him if you look him up! Thank you!!!

I was training directly with Kenpo Grandmaster Ed Parker when he and Jeff made the film. Don't be overly concerned with some of the little details of form, as it's always different when doing stuntwork. I did a seminar with Jeff Speakman and Uke'd for him in W Palm Bch Florida right after the movie opened. He's a real badass martial artist and a good guy.

He just got his 10th degree black belt this year in 2023. He developed Kenpo 5.0 v2 that brings in Ju-Jitisu, Judo into the mix. American Kenpo is not all stand up striking like in the 90s. He continues to improve the art as Ed Parker did. As the Gracies did and as Eddie Bravo does.

24:29 Keep in mind, this IS a film. Sometimes doing the technique the "right" way doesn't show up on camera so you have to cheat a little.

I was working at the theatre when this came out and saw it a number of times (for free :) It's awesome watching you enjoy this one!! Brings back some of the good memories!!!

I honestly think Speakman is free styling the kata at the beginning. I also thing he was directed to try and somewhat synch the movements with the music. I also think maybe the character might do this both for practice and for a cardio workout, which may be a reason he doesn't seem to stop moving one time during the kata. lol A GREAT '90s song from Snap, BTW! lol

The Karate style in Karate Kid was from Shito Ryu though. They even had Sensei Fumio Demura as the stunt double for Pat Morita's Mister Miyagi. You can check it out.

Jeff Speakman was a 5th dan at the time of this movie I believe. He was a student of Ed Parker. Jeff Speakman now holds a 9th Dan.

I am a Kenpo Karate 6th Dan-(we are definitely an American Karate system): I also trained in Korean & Japanese arts as well-I have a few more black belts been training for 40 years. The off center belts are a color belt (kyu) phenomenon in Kenpo. I don’t make my colored belt students do it-but some Kenpo schools do… Speakman does amazing Kenpo & does it correctly. We try to do it similar to him… Kenpo is Hawaiian-Okinawa karate with KUNGFU in it. The main original founder was William Chow a Hawaiian Karate guy. Parker trained with him & others. We Americans are more eclectic in our philosophy & Kenpo Is a blend of different arts. I really respect you & admire the videos you do… Kenpo is VERY COMBINATION oriented. I also trained in Japanese Karate-Kihon is VERY VERY IMPORTANT in Japanese Karate. In Kenpo it is not quite as focused on…. We focus more on combining hand, feet, knees & elbows in combination attack. We do believe in center line but my Korean Hapkido & Japanese Karate instructors were more thorough about centerline & body mechanics… as a Kenpo Karate (American term-sorry) instructor I try to emphasize Kihon & body mechanics a bit more. My masters in Korea were VERY PICKY about body mechanics & Basics. One of my SABUMNIM said “foundation foundation foundation”-/- However, I am not as good at small details as you… you are an amazing Sensei-I love your videos and your attitude… ARRIGATO!!!!

He had his own karate school. I’ve seen it on KZfaq. I personally love his Kenpo style of teachings. Personally my favorite!

From what I heard "Kenpo" is Japanese for "Kung fu", Japanese Kenpo supposedly has its origins in Kung fu. Then again "Shorin" in "Shorin Ryu" from what I heard, it is from "Shaolin", so they say that it is "Shaolin style" karate.

I LOVE this movie. The punching and kicking sound effects are top notch. Makes everything seem so much more powerful and impactful!

At 9:30 he the child version of him is practicing Star Block. That is a warm up kata we use to teach the fundamental Kenpo blocks and to get the upper body moving. When using this in warm ups, I always reinforce with my students what each individual block is for and how it can be used as part of a block & counter. While it is performed in Horse Stance (Shiko Dachi), the individual blocks themselves can be used in any stance. I generally only use this with our Advanced Children students and our Teen Adult students.

Jeff Speakman is good. Most action martial arts films of the 80's and 90's had real martial artists who grew up watching Bruce Lee films in the 70's. Hollywood during that era was investing in action films and independent filmmakers were doing pure martial arts films. Today most of the action stars of that time have become fight choreographers or grand masters in the martial arts. Today it's super heroes films which are popular with Hollywood stars with no martial arts background. Those who are bit good are those who have dancing background. Most action martial arts films of recent time goes straight to DVD. They rarely go to cinema halls.

Hi Sensei, when you have the chance, I would like to know your thoughts about the movie “The Last Samurai”. Hiroyuki Sanada is one of my favorite actors. Ive read that he studied Shorinji Kempo and later took up Kyokushin kaikan karate. I really enjoy watching your videos, keep up the good work! 👏🏽🇯🇵🙌🏽

Thanks for hearing us. A real Grandmaster, his two handed fighting style is awe inspiring !!

Love this analysis!

Once again it was great watching this video full of insights and informations, I deeply love what you are doing, and it is also interesting to see a thoughtful take by new generations (aknowledging the fact that yes, absolutely, 70/80/90s martial arts movies are on a completely different planet compared to nowadays, they are not even on the same universe). I grew up with all these flicks and at 35 I still feel the need, mandatory, to go back to them at least once a year. If you don't mind, I highly reccomend you the following flicks to add to the to watch list: - Showdown in Little Tokyo - Best of the Best 2 - American Ninja, at least n.1 and 3 (for martial arts analysis, for entertainment, 1 to 4 mandatory) - Kickboxer, 1 to 4 - Way of the dragon - Enter the Dragon - No retreat no surrender - Mortal Kombat 1995 These are the best (along with Best of the Best and, the ultimate masterpiece, Bloodsport) you watch these and your martial arts cinematic "education", so to speak, from that era, the best era, is accomplished. Of course there are tons of them, from HK stars like Jackie Chan and Jet Li, to Don The Dragon Wilson, but these are the musts. Hope this list could be of some help. Keep up the good work, love your content.

I would like to see some video bite version's of Wesley Snipes doing his martial art's in many of his films. Not just Blade. He also is a real martial artist. Who puts a lot of his art in his films. He has not made a specific martial arts film, though I wish he had.

In the late 70's and into the 80's, Kenpo practitioners began cross-training in Filipino arts like Arnis and Escrima without sacrificing one for the other, because they saw that the two styles are very compatible. That was pretty much the organized beginning of the real mixed martial arts, outside of solo practitioners and as opposed to what passes for mixed martial arts today.

Karate Dojo waKu, I just found your channel and I love the commentary (History & Critique of Technique). I look forward to more!!!

I was enrolled and learning Kenpo when I was 11, turning 12. Should've started earlier. Really regretting not sticking with. I was too scatter brained as a kid. Couldn't stay focused on anything. My Sensei had a lot of confidence in me. I showed good focus, but was too tense all the time. And could not maintain my focus.

Sensei, please take a look at the interview with Jeff Speakman here on KZfaq. It’s The Art of Action Episode 17. You could get some insight for his style of Kenpo in The Perfect Weapon straight from his own mouth. Excellent interview.

When you mentioned moving back with the arm, the young actor is doing blocking set #1, also known as the star block because the blocks form a star pattern. The moving of the arm back between the downward block & the “push down” block is taught as a form of an elbow block that can either be used to block a blow to the side/lower ribs or “block” an opponent from attacking your back. It is normally one of the first things taught to new students as knowing how to hit is not as important as knowing how to not get hit.

Also, the guy fighting Jeff in the gym is James Lew. Well, one of them. The axe kick to the face is the same move he used on Alex Grady in Best of the Best. That's right. James Lew was the guy opposite Eric Roberts in Best of the Best. ;-)

15:10 "Ohhh... He punched the kick!" This made me laugh, lol

Thank you sir for taking the time to do this.

I'm American and was born into a very dedicated karate family. I started in 1988 when I was 6 years old. I had no idea that the man who traveled to our Dojo to test me for my rank, Lou Angel, was Speakman's only Goju Sensai when he lived in the Midwest part of the country. Lou taught my father since 1966. Lou was one of Gogan Yamaguchi's students in Japan. Many of Lou's memorabilia was passed down from him to my father to me. When Jeff told Mr. ANGEL that he was moving to California, Lou told him to find Ed Parker once he got there, which he did and Kenpo was then added to his Goju roots. Right when this movie was released my father and I saw it in theaters. Suddenly we were invited to Lou Angel's dojo for a personal seminar with Jeff and had breakfast with him the following day. Very surreal moment for a 9 year old kid who loved these kinds of movies already. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed and learned from you by watching your reaction videos. Best of the Best was always a favorite of mine and Eric Roberts said they were taught Goju while preparing for the film. Makes sense because they kept saying the USA KARATE team, not Tae Kwon Do team. Anyways thank you for everything. Love your videos and I will continue to watch them all.

Always loved this movie. Love when you see people like Dante Basco which a lot of folks would know as Zuko from Avatar the Last Airbender in a live action. Mako, absolute legend of course. James Hong, also legend, think he holds a record for most acting credits. I recently saw an interview of Jeff Speakman done on Scott Adkins' youtube, pretty insightful and interesting discussion on Jeff's training and such. The big bad dude was the big bad's second in 3 Ninjas. Now there's a movie I'd love to see your reaction to, 3 Ninjas xD

Dude! New idea for him to re-emerge as a Hollywood star: he should play Solid Snake in a Metal Gear Solid movie. He’s age appropriate and is still a total badass!

In viewing a recent interview with Jeff Speakman, the kata he performs in the I GOT THE POWER montage is a Kenpo black belt kata. In the last movements her performs, are Go Jiru movements. Mr. Speakman stated it was a nod of respect to his original Sensei Lou Angel

The obi knot is off center because it is worn like a sash knot in Chinese martial arts. Kenpo has Japanese and Chinese roots. Fun fact: The actor playing Adam also played Virgil in Best of the Best.

Finally I love this movie I was waiting for u to reach to it

The most amazing aspect of the show was Speakman talking to his friend on a land line 😂

I like your reactions any analysis on martial art styles alot of information and ever details you notice which never did as a kid growing up watching it so many times in a vhs cassette.

I enjoyed listening to this sensei talk about the movie and the things he saw. I laughed a few times with him. Perfect weapon was pretty awesome when it came out.

Spins are the application of sweeps and the downward face is the finishing movement.

I was both a student and instructor in Black Rose Kenpo (a combination of American and Chinese Kenpo) in the late 80s into the early 90s. In the kata where he was a kid in his bedroom in his pajamas was called Star Block in BRK - I believe it's called Blocking Set in American Kenpo. In BRK, you did the descending blocks on the right side, then the left (like he was doing), but next came a combination of both sides/hands together, then we did one side descending and other side ascending simultaneously. Then you switched sides and started with the left side first. In BRK, there were no spinning kicks in techniques (there was some in kata). The reason being is that you can lose your stability whenever you are airborne or on one foot only. The only head kicks we learned was when the person's head was on the ground. No kicks above the waist. The circular pattern on the wall (at 8:20) that looks similar to a flower in the dojo was a patch we wore on our gi. It symbolizes all of the moves in Kenpo. What I liked the most about Kenpo was that it was defense only system as well as a scientific system. Where many other systems teach moves in a straight forward approach where it's force to force, in BRK, our moves were off angle by 45 degrees to shift our power line to where ours is now lined up to them while theirs is still facing away. I also enjoyed that all of our classes were 1/2 hour private one on one lessons. We had group classes as well, but the main training was one on one.

I really enjoyed your video...very cool

I loved that movie back in the day.Jeff Speakman was one of my favorite martial artists/actors.

One of my favorite movies growing up.

Speakman is so underrated and The Perfect Weapon is a great movie

Love the fact you try to enrich urselv with knowledge on different martial arts. Great job👍👍👍👍Just remember: in american kenpo, a lot of moves evolve around using weapons.

Thanks for this video. Jeff had a gym right down the street from my house. I miss it because it had a treadmill upstairs and some great free weights. Now, someone else bought it & they have machines & won't let you use the gym unless you hire the owner to do personal training. I don't want personal training. Anyway... I liked the treadmill because we are at 6000 ft. I could run on it with 2 feet of snow on the ground, 3 times a week, and then run very fast down in the valley later on. Jeff's gym was in Twin Peaks, California

I love Speakman. He one of very few legit martial artist that have acted. He even created his own form of kenpo once he saw the effectiveness of bjj

Me. Sensei, you won’t regret the next part of that movie, very enlightening to watch!

The Kata in the beginning is a mixture of Form 4 and Form 6 and the finger set with some Goju Ryu flair. I love Jeff Speakman.

Kenpo was brought from China to Japan about 700 years ago by the Yoshida Clan and was quickly adopted by the Komatsu Clan.

Good choice. You are the first I have seen do this movie & a nice plus since you are an expert.

The gym fight scene is quite a time capsule. That’s James Lew playing the taekwondo fighter, and not only is he a gifted taekwondo fighter, he’s also one of Hollywood’s greatest stuntmen and fight choreographers. He faces off against Eric Roberts in Best of the Best, and he fights Van Damme in Timecop.

This movie came out when I was in my early 30's and deep into Isshin ryu karate which was a combination of Goju-ryu and Shorin-ryu karate but used a vertical fist to punch. I must have watched this movie over a 1000 times! Great review! Thanks.

I know a little bit about Jeff Speakman he invented that move with the fist is called the hammer with he swings like Thor you can see it in his KZfaq Kenpo videos!!!!

"Mako... oh, must be a Japanese guy." He's a legend... 😭

Yes sir! American Kenpo has knot on left hip for males. Right hip female.. only Black belt can have center. Thank you for your review of one of my favorite movies that influenced me to study American Kenpo!

...I had actually just learnt about this movie/movie-film and specifically the opening scene and the influences that went into it and the part you point out his chest, shoulders, on and on and so and so forth, there's a post somewhere the actor explains his movements. And just to give everybody here a point of reference, I just learnt of "?ken-po's?" relation to -b,'s chosen reference name for his own form...,. (...and so yeah.,...) ...and so thank you for the post, it's funny this just popped in along with the other post that's actually still both pretty recent. And so thank you for the post, absolutely appreciated.

Yes some of the opening movements, is a kata Ed Parker kempo. The part where you ask if he's making up something as he faces forward. Are strikes to the face. Eyes and he's using a modified horse stance

Loved this movie growing up being in martial arts

Part of what he is doing is a variation of the star block which is a movement where we can practice all the blocks on each side from one smooth movement. It is done with one arm and then the other.

as a 6th degree in kempo this was kata we use he did mixed some basic karate in there but for the most part he was on point except for looking down

Can't wait for the Best of the Best 2 review.

Thank this is one my favorite films never did kenpo but I think this is a classic

Kenpo practitioner here and the style is very impactful and direct. Enjoyed learning this style!

I heard in a video that when Ed Parker started American Kenpo, in the 1960’s and 1970’s some hair styles were long hair even for the boys, I guess because of the hippie era, and from the back sometimes it was difficult to tell who was a girl and who was a boy, so not to make students feel bad by not knowing if it was a girl or boy from behind and assuming it’s a girl and say a female term, he made the boys have the knot of they’re belt on one side and the girls on the other instead of in the middle, and it made it easier to tell who he was talking to and avoided the awkward embarrassing moment of saying something the student felt bad or disrespected and saying sorry I thought you were a girl or you look like a girl with the long hair or saying that boys have to have short hair instead of letting them choose their hair style, I don’t know how true it is but it kinda makes sense, and now it’s probably done because of tradition

The kid doing the block with his hand chambered before and between movements is doing the star block which consists of, downward, upward, inward, and extended outward blocks

Perfect weapon was one of the martial arts movie gems

The belt knot to the side is a visual thing , i believe. It looked cool on teens in the 50s . they actually use to buckle their belts with the buckle resting at the hip because it use to dig in to your stomach while sitting in class . later it turned into a style . Same as a tilted or rotated hat. Fashion over function.

I loved this movie. Now I'm gonna re-watch it.

I am James F JR... Jeff Speakman, James Lew, Mako, were Martial Artist who fell into Acting. James Lew is a Stuntman, Director, producer and know Martial Artist. Mako, had a Fight scene against Bruce Lee in the Green Hornet series in the 1960s. Professor Taru Tanaka who portrayed the Murderer. Was one of Wrestling's Biggest stars. WWF/WWE. JAPANESE WRESTLING. I studied Okinawa Kenpo. My Sensei... Came home from Military service in Japan. Opened up a Dojo and it was Fun , Exciting , and very educating. Martial Arts saved my Health. Now I am no longer practicing. I don't know what to do I am past 50 years old. Am I too old to get back into Training? Thank you Sensei... You did a great Job. God Bless You.