James Hong should really have a lifetime achievement Oscar. He is literally in everything. He's still working at 93 years young.🙏🏼

I would also like to see reviews of "Showdown in Little Tokyo" as well as "Barry Gordy's The Last Dragon". Two good movies from the 80's and 90's

Hello 👋🏻 I am a shotokan practitioner myself, and I got my 1 Dan black belt TODAY! Your videos have been a great help. Thank you. 🥋

That punch in the bar you said was too fast was actually three. Kenpo uses a lot of circles and figure-8 motions. it was a right "slap" to the face, a left knife hand to the other side, then a right back-fist, all in a tight circle. The idea behind it was to hit as many places as possible, with low power to create an opening for a powerful finishing move. Kenpo does spin a lot, but kicks are rarely above waist high. We had a seminar with the actor from this movie where he said kicking someone in the head is like headbutting their foot. If you want to kick someone in the head, kick them in the groin or stomach, to bring the head down to the right height. The main boss here is James Hong, a Chinese actor with hundreds of film credits starting in the 60's. He was in Chinatown and Wayne's World 2. He was a staple of 70's and 80's crime shows. If you needed a villain/wise old man, you cast him. The big guy is Professor Toru Tanaka. He's been the heavy in movies from the 70's on, and has been beaten up by everyone from Chuck Norris to the Three Ninjas. For a while, he was a professional wrestler. He wasn't in a lot of films, but he was the same character in every film he was in. Not long before this movie came out, there was a Michael Douglas movie called Yakuza. it put the word into American minds, so they probably used it here because it was well known. To those of us with a little more knowledge on the subject, Yakuza are strictly Japanese organized crime. Tongs are Chinese. I don't think I've ever heard the name for one in Korean. Another thing you'll see in American action movies is the trend in weapons. This one actually didn't follow it, but it's surprising how much the rest did. Starting in the early 80's if there was a knife, it was a butterfly knife (Balisong). This lasted about 10 years. In the 90's, Desert Eagle handguns were everywhere. Starting in the mid-2000's EVERY character who could fight but wasn't played by an actual martial artist studied Krav Magha (the Israeli commando training). If you haven't already done it, Rapid Fire with Brandon Lee would be a great addition to your channel. it stars Bruce Lee's son is his only true martial arts film, and the final villain uses a style not often seen in US movies. it also has some great action sequences. The apartment fight and the one with AL Leong are amazing for different reasons.

The main cop, young guy with blonde hair, was played by John Dye. John played Virgil (the Buddhist fighter) in "Best Of The Best."

For those who don't know that actor who played Adam in this movie played Virgil in Best of the Best. His name was John Dye and he passed away in 2011 at the age of 47

It would be interesting to see your review of the "Fighter in the wind"

Yusuke, could you do "Barry Gordy's" The Last Dragon?? A WONDERFUL martial arts film, and one of my all-time favorites! I would love to hear your thoughts!

In the '90's the Yakuza started to get popular. For a time you'd see it in nearly every movie that involved Asian organized crime. It seems like Hollywood used it as kind of an umbrella term. To be fair I also saw a lot of "Triad" working its way into action films too, but mostly when specifically dealing with the Chinese. The first time I heard the term Yakuza was in the movie "Showdown in Little Tokyo" a movie starring Dolph Lungren and Brandon Lee. An AWESOME film, I would LOVE to see Yusuke react to!

This dude is always the boss. He's the boss is so many movies. Everytime they need a yakuza or triad or korean boss, basically far Eastern mafia boss, it's him!

Perfect Weapon is one of my favorites with Jeff Speakman. If you can, check out Rapid Fire with Brandon Lee???? Awesome fighting!

I grew up with this movie. The Perfect Weapon. Still got my copy on VHS which my friends and I watched a million times. Jeff Speakman should have been a martial arts star back in the day.

Great video, I remember when that film first came out, I think it was the first film where the hero used Ed Parkers Kempo.

James Hong the "head boss" was my friend Harry's godfather. Unfortunately Harry just recently passed away by covid. He was an incredible martial artist.

I would definitely recommend the Street Fighter series with Sonny Chiba and a movie called Ricki-Oh: The Story of Ricky

This movie is loved by many it’s fun watching it with you being it’s your first time 👍

Jeff speakman holds a 9th dan in American Kenpo and 9th dan in Tenshi Goju karate

The big guy walking like a tree trunk, is Professor. Another few martial arts movie to check are Rapid fire (1992), Lionheart (1990), Hard To Kill (1990), Above The Law (1988), IP Man series (2008, 2010, 2015, 2019), also the Ong-Bak series (2003, 2008, 2010).

I don't remember as much as I should from my younger years, but what I do remember is: American Kenpo is loosely based off of Kosho-ryu Kenpo. Kenpo emphasizes economy of movement and speed. It primarily teaches a no-block principle which teaches that to avoid being struck by a punch or kick, you should move your body out of harm's way. There are some minor blocking techniques, but they are only used as a means position for a move or strike.

Love your commentary on these movies - well done

The kid is Dante Basco, a great Filipino American actor. He was in movies with Robin Williams and Pam Grier. He was in a terrific movie called "The Debut". Not a martial arts movie but you should watch it.

That scene with the guy that was going to punch Jeff speakman in back of the head that is Professor Tanaka. Professor Tanaka was a wrestler, judo, and Danzan-ryu Jujitsu practitioner. He was Sub Zero Gladiator in the movie called The Running Man.

Love all your content.... Keep up the great work

He dedicated his life to teaching, instead of the movies. There's. Many videos on KZfaq of him doing this.

At the time this movie was made American audiences were just learning about Yakuza. And while a few might know the difference between Korean, Chinese, Japanese. So we'd muddle Yakuza, Ninjas, Karate, Kung Fu, Samurai as all one thing. We had very few Asian roles and even fewer Asian actors, so every Asian actor was in every martial arts movie we made. This was one of my favorite movies as a kid and I never noticed it was filmed in a Korea town. The script was probably written about Japanese Yakuza, but the studio had to film in Korea town so some elements of the script were changed, and American audiences at the time would not notice.

I am James F JR... I am Back for Part 2. I failed to mention James Hong... He portrayed Lo Pan in Big Trouble in Little China, he was in Kung Fu the Series with David Carradine . He was in so many movies he should run Hollywood. You will be surprised How long this man has been around. Portraying Villians and asian Mob Bosses. What do I think of Speakman's Performance. I am Impressed. Speaking of Best of the Best...Philip and Simon Rhee. You cannot forget these Men.

Enjoyed part 1! Thank you for sharing! Nice to see a young sensei, growing outside of their specialty! Train hard and be safe!💮🙏

Jeff Speakmans Kenpo teacher was Ed Parker who passed away.Bruce Lee use to do demoes at Ed Parkers karate tournaments.Ed also taught Elvis.You can watch Jeff teach,demo and watch his movies on KZfaq.

Would you like to review the movie „Black Belt“ (with Tatsuya Naka Sensei acting in it)? That would be wonderful. And thanks so much for your great work. I have no clue about Karate. I have started my Judo journey 3 years ago at the age of 39. But I am really adoring the art of Karate and the Japanese culture.

waiting for this one! you should review no retreat no surrender, the last dragon, and american ninja!

That’s one of my favorite movies growing up and love it still🍿 👏🏼I hope you enjoy the movie….

Old ATM machines used to work via vacuum or pneumatic tube. There was usually also an envelope where you put your money in. That went into the canister that then went into the tube. It went to a cashier that was at that window you see to the left, who gave you a receipt back. Man, ATM's used to be really complicated. No wonder people would normally choose to just go inside.

That big guy was in three ninjas lol

Haven't seen this in a long time

Fighter in the Wind next please. Kyokushin Karate at it's best.

Korean Oyabun Mafia Yakuza. Must be from a mixed marriage.

American Kenpo is famous for integrating other styles into the system. Ed Parker was a big fan of using the knife and sticks in upper belt katas. Different schools have different katas and it depends on the lineage of the school you are from.

The way he enters the building is Ninjitsu. The way he uses the fire extinguisher as a "smoke bomb" is Ninjitsu. I've played Tenchu: Stealth Assassins.

14:55 This actor has a look on his face I like to call "Discount James Spader".

Window tint laws vary from state to state here. I am in Florida. Here in Florida, front Side windows must allow more than 28% of light in. Back windows must allow more than 15% of light in. Basically, dark in back lighter in front. I just had my windows tinted in my new Nissan.

09:38 Hmm well, this movie was 1991. My first hearing the term Yakuza was from the 1989 movie 'Black Rain' with Michael Douglas, not so much a martial arts film but crime drama set in Japan. You should check it out.

I love this movie ❤ !! Thank you!!

Your skills are VERY impressive in the opening clip. 😮 🥋 ***bow***

Jeff and Ed Parker mention that the night club scene was their favorite. Fighting underneath a strobe light when there's barely light. And responding too sensitivity and reacting to your opponent. Main point was to showcase Kenpo principles in a territorial environment with minimal space.

In American Kenpo we wear our knots on the side in class unless you are the ranking person. When teaching class as the ranking instructor if MY instructor walks in, I move my knot to the side. Also girls wear theirs on one side and boys on the other. The block set at the beginning is “star block” it’s just the first of many patterns used to teach blocks. We’re not concerned with the hike-te creating opposing force to create power. If you would like to know our thoughts on power look up “21 basic concepts and principles of Kenpo” I enjoy your channel, I’ll definitely subscribe! Keep it up! Or Ossu as it were 👍

Did you know, James Hong also played as the sorcerer David Lo Pan in Big trouble in Little China?

Big guy played "Oddjob" in Bond films

Jeff Speakman is a former diving champion and great athlete!!

How About Lethal Weapon 4? Jet Li was awesome in that movie

Jeff speakman is a Master in kenpo very famous in this martial art and he made few movies and very active and giving siminars and he hold the 10th degrees of black belt which is the highest

Pray for Death and Revenge of the Ninja 2. Both starring Sho Kosugi

I don't know why my suggestions can never, ever give me a part 1.

The bad guy at the end is named "The Professor" hes been in movies since way back. He did a James bond movie where he had a boller hat with a razor brim. I never learned much about his past though.

Thanks for hearing your KZfaq viewers, most only pay attention to their Patrion.

9:50 I think what they were implying is that an American branch of the Japanese Yakuza was giving him protection.

Great film.

Over here, Yakuza is an umbrella term for Japanese mafia operating in the US. It is popularly believed that most Japanese organized gangs are loosely affiliated. The term Triad is used similarly for Chinese mafia. A lesser-known term, Jopak refers to the Korean mafia, while Kangpae refers to the less-organized Korean gangs.

You're not wrong about the belt. I'm sure it was a cinema thing, cuz it looks cool. I used to get yelled at about my belt not being centered in my American Kenpo school. I also liked it just off center. It just looks cooler. But off center is not a thing. Just for guys that thought it looked cool. Great video. It's been years and finally someone is impressed that he punched the kick!

How bout no retreat no surrender. I’d love to see a reaction to ninja assassin s There’s no ring fighting but… sho kusugi ( hope I didn’t butcher his name) his ninja movies were out during some of the best late martial arts movies. I was blown away at seeing him many years later in the epic ninja assassin. Although I’m sure u wld have seen this by now.. hope not though.

The big Asian henchman is Charles J Kalani Jr. also known as Professor Toru Tanaka, born in Hawaii. He ran a Judo and Danzan-ryu Jujitsu academy in the '60s in California. He performed as a professional wrestler, Kalani played the stereotypical Japanese villain in the matches. I saw him many times at Madison Square Garden in the late 60s and early 70s. Kalani's most famous tag team partner was Harry Fujiwara (better known as Mr. Fuji), whom he knew from high school in Hawaii. Yes we know professional wrestling is fake but, it's definitely sports entertainment, I loved it as a kid and I loved to hate professor Tanaka and Mr. Fuji!

"Professor" Toru Tanaka. Pro-Wrestler, American football player, legitimate boxer, judoka, etc. Not someone to mess with.

Love seeing you watch these old movies from my childhood. If you ever watch a Steven Seagal movie, Above The Law is a good one. There’s a traditional Aikido scene at the beginning if I remember correctly.

Can you react to the 3 Ninjas Kick Back movie?

You gotta watch Sidekicks or the Martial Arts kid

Thanks for doing Part 2 so soon. As far as yakuza, I've only ever heard it used to refer to the Japanese Mafia in the US but maybe some people do use it as a general term for any Asian crime organization. Geez, you have pointed out so many mistakes in regards to martial arts and Asian cultures in theses movies it's easy to see why so many people who grew up with these were so misinformed. It's like they just took the Japanese parts they thought were cool and applied them to the Koreans.

Heck yeah! Dante Basco. Rufio!

Kenpo is relaxed smooth movements tensing at the moment of impact I love its flow

That is because 80s and 90s had real martial artists with legit blackbelts doing there fights, no need for camera angles, fight doubles, fast cuts and CGi.

Awesome reviews of the grat martial arts classic. Lionheart and Kickboxer with Van Damme are really cool , Ong Bak and Fist of Legend and of course the GOAT Bruce Lee , Way of the Dragon when he fights Karate Champion Chuck Norris.

I think back in the days they made these movies they mixed and matched a lot of Asian terms mistakingly because they sounded cool and were common enough to be recognized, but not really know the difference, that's why a lot of the Korean and Japanese stuff is getting used interchangeably. Back then it was kind of a "good enough" mentality as opposed to today when information is easier to come by, that's why these days many of these details are researched more when putting a movie together. Also in America at least "Karate" is used as a cover all term for many martial arts, to include styles like traditional Karate, Kenpo, Tang Soo Do etc. are all advertised as Karate

A Chinese playing a Korean using Americanized Japanese terminology. We have come full circle. 🤣😂

In the club scene when he has hitting the first guy it was chops and slaps and yes he was that fast in the joint lock throw yes you can throw someone like that it is a takedown.

the actor that played as the brother Adam also played as Virgil in Best of the Best... he unfortunately committed suicide

If you are going back to the oldies. Have you watched the classic ones from Chuck Norris? Good Guys Wear Black and the Octagon? Those were big back in the day.

Looks like a Double Dragon videogame!

Chuck Norris needs to be on here. I recommend The Octagon and Lone Wolf McQuade. Classics, especially Lone Wolf McQuade.

Great movie for the time

Blood and Bone starring Michael Jai White would be another amazing film to check out Yusuke!

The actor that played preferred weapon is still training has schools in New Jersey

Love your channel good sir. I would love to see yoir reaction to no retreat no surrender. Keep up the good work!

Korean Mafia in NYC are referred to as Japok, Chinese as Traiad or by gang name( white dragons). Yakuza is definitely Japanese mafia. I believe there was a Japanese element of organized crime in Korea town( in the movies plot). It’s just like Sicilian Mafia may operate in other parts of Italy.

Tong is Chinese Mafia, Yakuza is Japan, Jopok is Korean. As someone below posted, Triad is sometimes used. But Hollywood, especially way back, didn't spend too much time in American films, telling anyone the difference. So they just became interchangeable. I don't think nowadays they'd get away with it.

7:56 the great Jeff Imada-san!!! Nagano-sama, Itsumo douga arigatou gozaimasu.

Not sure what the mobster Korean's are called but I have heard them being called the "Jo-Pok" I know for other Asians in films is "The Syndicate" for Chinese and "Yakuza" for Japanese. And the rest are "The Mafia" for Italians and Latinos is "The Cartels".

Most of the Asian actor were Chinese and Japanese.I believe the young kid is Filipino. The big guy at the club that he does that fast tech to the neck is Native American. Now a days I am sure if this movie would have been done they would have consulted Korean speakers.

This thirteen year old karate guy should comment on “A Fistful of Yen” One of the best martial arts casts ever

Movie fire extinguishers are always empty….lol

The man who once played lo pan the ghost of the red triad gang in big trouble in little china you have to see that one the martial arts in that one is crazy

It's Combinations of two forms in kenpo

You should watch "Surf Ninja's".

For a suggestion you should check out the classic Chuck Norris movie The Octagon.

He said the Yeung had connections to the Yakuza, not that he was Yakuza. We know all about the Yakuza, we love the video games. :P

When you see James Hong, the actor who plays Yung, you know it's about to get really good! I hope you do a reaction to the movie "Big Trouble in Little China." It was a huge influence for many martial arts movies and video games. You'll see similarities from there with Mortal Kombat.

I just notice the guy is Virgil from the best of the best in the beige car

The enormous bodyguard Tanaka is played by Professor Toru Tanaka, real name Charles Kalani. He was a pro wrestler before getting into acting and almost always played the villain because of his imposing looks. In real life, however he was known to be a gentle giant.

I’m surprised he didn’t notice that Adam was in Best of the Best.

Dante Basco the kid is Filipino. James Wong aka Yung is Chinese. Mako aka Kim was Japanese. Charles J Kalani aka Tanaka was Hawaiian. Not that many Koreans in this film perhaps their characters? Also Yakuza were always mentioned or used as gangsters in American action films during the 80s-90s a long with Triad & KGB Irish American Mobs & Italian Mafia.

Didn't that big guy really kill someone and is in prison? "Really, a shoe, who throws a shoe?"

I know it is not karate, but I would like to see you review The Protector. Tony Jaa. Especially the breaking bones fight.

technically the kid only said, "Yakuza connections".