This may not be the best martial arts movie in the world (that honor belongs to "Enter the Dragon") or even the worst (undoubtedly "Gymkata"), but it at least makes a game attempt at making a star out of a man who at least has some charisma and can kick and chop with the best of them.
In "The Perfect Weapon", Jeff Speakman plays the weapon in question, a man whose talent at kenpo is put to the test when a local crime lord puts the squeeze on a business ran by a man (Mako) who is Speakman's oldest friend. And once said friend is killed, our favorite Weapon uses hands, feet, sticks and drop-kicks to get revenge the good old-fashioned way: the highest body count wins.
As I said before, Speakman has some charisma and is able to use his martial arts in a conceivably realistic manner. In fact, there are at least one or two good scenes for him (the fight in the antiques shop, the back alley attack by a group of thugs)and just about everybody involved including Mako, Hong, Dye, Tanaka and Kusatsu (except, maybe, for Hargitay, who gets little to do here and considerably less screen time).
In the end, it's a good effort but for all the other Seagals, VanDammes, Schwarzeneggers and Stallones out there, Speakman is just another seven-foot center who can make the three-point shot, so to speak.
Five stars for "The Perfect Weapon" - maybe not "Perfect", but indeed passable entertainment.
In "The Perfect Weapon", Jeff Speakman plays the weapon in question, a man whose talent at kenpo is put to the test when a local crime lord puts the squeeze on a business ran by a man (Mako) who is Speakman's oldest friend. And once said friend is killed, our favorite Weapon uses hands, feet, sticks and drop-kicks to get revenge the good old-fashioned way: the highest body count wins.
As I said before, Speakman has some charisma and is able to use his martial arts in a conceivably realistic manner. In fact, there are at least one or two good scenes for him (the fight in the antiques shop, the back alley attack by a group of thugs)and just about everybody involved including Mako, Hong, Dye, Tanaka and Kusatsu (except, maybe, for Hargitay, who gets little to do here and considerably less screen time).
In the end, it's a good effort but for all the other Seagals, VanDammes, Schwarzeneggers and Stallones out there, Speakman is just another seven-foot center who can make the three-point shot, so to speak.
Five stars for "The Perfect Weapon" - maybe not "Perfect", but indeed passable entertainment.