90s martial arts cheese at its finest | So Bad It's Good 120 - The Perfect Weapon (1991) 

Let's just be clear...this is a good movie, not a good "bad" movie.

A topless man doing a martial arts routine to "I've Got the Power". I don't think I've ever seen a more 90s opening to a movie in my life.

So. Rufio. It was indeed him, so good call on that one, Erin! The actor's name is Dante Basco, and he's been in TONS of stuff. This film and Hook both came out in 1991, and after that he went on to do a ton of stuff. Most people these days will know him as a voice actor, most notably Prince Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Fun fact: Mariska Hargitay had her few lines that she spoke cut from the original theatrical release. They were re-added years later after her success on Law and Order in a special "directors cut" version.

I really like how the friendship between you all is almost as much a focus of this show as the movies themselves. It makes it a lot more fun.

This was a fun flick. Speakman is infinitely more likeable than Sifu Seagal. This is a great flick for buddies and beers.

This episode made me get to the bottom of why Jeff Speakman never went anywhere. He had a three picture deal with Paramount, but there was a shakeup in corporate and the studio accidentally sold off his next film to Fox. That movie was Speed.

This is actually a pretty solid martial arts movie. I remember seeing this when I was a kid and wondering why Jeff Speakman wasn’t in more.

Jeff is definitely the real deal, think he still teaches to this day. Love reliving these old favourites with new people.

Glad you guys had fun! Yeah this movie broadsided me when I saw it in the theater and would, years later, take American Kenpo for four years. Ed Parker, who created American Kenpo, choreographed the fights with Speakman who was one of his top students, which is why they look so great. Sadly, Ed Parker passed right before the movie was released, hence the dedication to him at the end. Speakman wound up getting screwed on his contract with Paramount (the director of this flick directed Bloodsport BTW) so none of the other films Speakman made had this kind of decent budget. And they are not as great or fun (though there is some cool Kenpo in there). All his film stuff aside, Speakman is a serious legit martial artist. And amazingly, he survived a serious fight with throat cancer around 2013 (stage 4 tumor).

This was pretty good at showcasing Kenpo Karate. I’ve studied it for over 40 years. The concept of Kenpo is, disable your opponent so they can’t fight, i.e. break bones.

Amazing! This was definitely one of my favorite cheesyball martial arts movies growing up. Also, I was waiting for Erin to yell out "Rufio! Rufi!o Roo Fee Ohhhhhhh!"

Jeff Speakman was and still is a bad ass. Its awesome to see Kenpo get some representation. My son is a brown belt in Kenpo Karate. They don't stay white Gi (outfit) the entire time, in Kenpo when they reach blue belt you move up to a black (advanced) gi. Watching Erin get so excited is always the highlight, her laugh in infectious. You guys are awesome together. Ru-fi-o, Ru-fi-o. . RUUUUFFIIIOOOOOOOO........!!!! Thanks for everything you guys do

Erin gets the idea here about the opening sequence. It's kata so it's essentially exercise to maintain physique for martial arts rather than practicing martial arts. Speakman actually manages to make it look awesome, which is no small feat. It's kinda like people start to laugh at 1995's Mortal Kombat for wire work and such, but unlike sequel (Annihilation, one you covered on the show already) it had solid choreography and a ton of known martial artists working on it plus all the actors trained for months with said martial artists. One of those "reality is unrealistic" moments. :) Oh, and super familiar dude on the right is stuntman and actor Thomas Rosales Jr., whose filmography of generic henchmen and bit parts in cult action films is only rivaled by that of Al Leong. He's in everything: Commando, The Running Man, Face Off, Vampires (actually quite a few Carpenter movies), Con Air, Speed, The Crow to name a few. And yes, that's Bronscombe Richmond from Renegade.

I had this on VHS when I was a kid and had completely forgotten about it and as soon as I heard "I got the power" the entire movie came flooding back.

I watched this movie as a kid with my dad. I actually met Jeff Speakman he has a Kempo school and he signed my dvd. On another note… Lorenzo Lamas movies please.

I don't know what it is about the 80's-90's cheese movies, but they instantly put me in a good mood. Like an extra positive energy boost, except for the rest of the day. I love them, I can watch and rewatch them no matter how many times I've seen them. You guys add an extra layer of positivity, like whipped cream on a sunday. Thanks for that!

Quite possibly the greatest opening in movie history. Your reactions were priceless lol.

While he never became a takeoff movie star, the man is a legit Goju Ryu black belt (7th degree I think) with schools worldwide. Beat throat cancer and still shows up to the training camps.

I was 11 years old when this came out... probably 12 when I actually watched it. I'm so glad it's as good, if not better than I remember it being. Also glad you guys enjoyed it! Edit: My little brother practiced Kenpo around 1999, so I got to see some stuff first hand lol.

I was 13 when this movie was released, I loved it. Super cheesy, but Speakman was a bad ass back then. Has some great fight scenes. And yes, that is 100% Rufio hahaha

Jeff Speakman was a great martial artist,he is underrated today.

The moves in this were amazing!! What a fun time!! Thoroughly enjoyed this review, and appreciate y’all so much for giving me so many laughs! 🧡

Jeff Speakman is the real deal. He is a Kenpo master and was inducted into the masters hall of fame for martial arts.

The guy who looks familiar to you at 8:56 is Thomas Rosales Jr. He's a stuntman and played a lot of henchmen and background criminals in the 80s and 90s. Movies such as Commando (Arnold chops his arm off with a machete), Robocop 2 (Gun store robber at the beginning) and he was the guy listening to music when Peter Stormare goes to use the bathroom and gets attacked by the small dinosaurs in The Lost World: Jurassic Park

Oddjob, Ruffio and Shang Tsung in one movie? damn good Sunday

The stunt coordinators and fight choreographers did a great job with this one. For TV, a couple deleted scenes with Mariska Hargitay were added back into capitalize on her success with SVU. Speakman was originally cast for Speed before the movie changed studios in pre-production as part of a two movie deal; the other was supposed to be a sequel to this movie.

Jason, with his facial recognition technology and infinite brain archives, will never cease to amaze me.

One of my all time favorites. I have been looking forward to your review ever since you announced it. No lie, this movie is what got me into Kenpo when I was a kid. And, for the record, those weren't "movie fight" moves he was doing. He really is that fast. You can actually see videos on RU-vid of him training people and it's crazy how many times he can hit you in just a few seconds. 😆

I met Jeff Speakman at a Karate studio in Midlothian IL when I was like 10 yrs old. I guess him and the owner were good friends and he came in to teach a class. Seemed like a really cool down to earth guy.

In all seriousness...the martial arts choreography and the cinematography of the fights in this one is top notch. They're almost better than what you'd find in some of the 80's/90's golden era Steven Segal movies.

This unlocked a memory for me! I remember being home from school sick once and watching this on like Showtime or something in like 1994 and thought the Tiger/Dragon shit was just the deepest philosophy I'd ever hear.

I was like you guys better like it. It has both Prince Zuko and Uncle Iroh in it. Also, Scott Adkins did a really good interview with Jeff Speakman on his channel not too long ago.

When you guys get good and drunk, it makes for a great episode! 🤣

Erin had so much fun again. Erin has the power too. Lots action movie stars in this. The fight scenes in this were awesome! Thanks as always

I’m surprise the guy who played Egg Shen wasn’t in this. They got everybody else.

The “love interest” is actually Mariska Hargitay who became famous on TV, most notably for Law and Order: SVU. Never said a word but, arguably, went on to have one of the most successful careers. 😂

I remember this movie as a kid being a great popcorn movie. Glad to see it still doesn't disappoint. I always remember this as the PG-version of R-rated action movies. Like what if you took blood sport and paired it down so that kids could see it without their parents.

Jason is wearing the perfect shirt! I hope it glows or is blacklight responsive.

I'm convinced professor Tanaka was actually caught in that explosion! 🤣🤣🙃

Yes! The "good" perfect weapon!

The opening scene with the kata reminds me of Apocalypse Now, where the main character is practicing in his room. Only, this movie has 10 times the cheese.

I watched this back in the day and many many matrtial arts movies before and after ...but I never forgot the cool opening kata forms to Snap, good stuff.

That Carey guy (Shang Tsung) also played the surfer dude grandfather in Disney's Jonny Tsunami and the Captain in the early seasons of Nash Bridges.

Haha. Yeah, American Kenpo is definitely not "Bullshido" in the slightest. Despite this movie being the epitome of the cheeseball '90s martial arts film Jeff Speakman was legit. He has a 10th degree black belt in American Kenpo Karate and a 9th degree black belt in Tenshi Goju Kai. Actually a very well-respected dude.

That woman was Mariska Hargitay from Law and Order SVU. When she 1st showed up I thought it looked like her but thought "nah it can't be her" but when she was at the end I knew it actually was her.

Another great episode, calling Dave in middle of a film was hilarious :D sick Ghostbusters shirt Jason

As always Erin "hijacks" the video making it Even better 👍

This film was a massive part of my childhood... I still have the VHS my father brought home from a blockbuster video sale back in the 90s. This film is the reason I sought out an American Kenpo school. Years later I received my 1st degree black belt in American Kenpo Karate. The film is nostalgia bad assness with a seriously epic cast!

Absolutely love this movie, Kempo and 90's cheese is a Perfect combo. Pun intended. For more 90's martial arts badassery, you guys should look up RAPID FIRE with the Late, Great Brandon Lee, it's one of his first films and it's phenomenal. Love watching your reactions, keep bringing us the good stuff!

Jason and Erin practicing karate to *"I Got The Power"* will be a treat.. Erin is so damn charming and hilarious in this one! 😂😂😂😂😂

Epic movie! 90's martial arts at it's best!

22:20 that stuntman FLEW from the force of that blast! So awesome.....I friggin want this movie in my collection now. 😆

I remember my cousin taking me to see this in the theater when it came out! Hahaha! I LOVED Erin's reaction from the opening credits...that's exactly how my wife reacted! Question: Do people who join your Patreon get to email you suggestions or get a PO Box addy where we can send you movies to react to?

"dude on the left" at 8:57 is Tommy Rosales. A stuntman that was in EVERYTHING in this time period.

That opening scene made me rip my shirt off and flail my arms like the guy in the movie 😂😂😂

So glad you two enjoy this one. It's one of my 80's Martial art go to. The fighting scenes were awesome and impactful.🤜🤕

Congratulations! You screened one of the rare studio genre A-pictures! Kenpo is exactly what you get in real life: fluid motions, fast attacks. Saw it 4 times when it was released: first time with my kempo karate buddies and the last three times with a different girl. Glad you screened this one!

It’s weird that as a VHS kid with every movie that Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Brandon Lee, Steven Seagal, etc made that Jeff Speakman completely passed me by. Feel like I’ve should have seen this guy.

Lol. So bad it's good almost immediately.. Y'all needed everyone for this. Y'all chemistry is too on point..love y'all be well

16:36 Erin laughs like the guy from Cobra Kai on The Karate Kid right after he says “ get em a body bag “ 😅

That "dude on the left" was in the Jurrasic Park Lost World. When the T-Rex ransacked the camp at night, he's the guy that wakes up and starts screaming in Spanish.

I’m sitting here yelling “wait I know that guy” literally the exact second you are lol y’all just feel like home to me! I now miss my old neighborhood friends! We used to sit and watch action and martial arts movies everyday after school like this! The worst the movie, the louder we all got!! Thanks for the memories! ❤

Erim's reaction to the beginning tells me that we're off to a good-- no GREAT start!

More like "Roofi oh-no" with Erin getting the giggles this early in, lol.

"That's a couch he's beating the brakes off of." That made me literally lol, don't know why. Always look forward to your videos.

"Get him some glowsticks and we've got a whole thing" come on guys. I'm 2 minutes and 30 seconds in and I'm already bodied 🤣

Jeff Speakman’s best movie and only mainstream movie, he did a couple straight to video if I remember correctly 🤣🤣🤣

I am so glad you decided to do this movie. It is one of my favorite 90's films to date. Great reaction guys and as always you keep me laughing all the way through.

The guy out of never to young to die. Was also the guy seagal. Beat up in a market in hard to kill

Pure gold. As always. Side note: I am so happy to see other people getting hyped up about Roofus a.k.a Rufio. I get just as excited as Dave and Erin every time!

Your reactions to the opening scene of this movie is one of my all-time favorite moments in your channel. I wish I knew kenpo karate forms so I could do them shirtless to "The Power" by Snap!

Coincidentally, I was watching the A-Team episode “Maltese Cow” earlier this evening and James Hong was the boss villain and Prof Toru Tanaka was the main henchman in that too!

9:07 the importance of making sure the guy you're mugging isn't sitting on a full special meter

8:55 - dude on the left is Thomas Rosales Jr. who was an actor/stuntman who normally gets killed off. He was in COMMANDO(the bad guy telling Bennet how slicing a little girl was like cutting warm butter) and in THE RUNNING MAN is the ill-fated Chico when his head explodes.

That guy played in 3 Ninja's also. "Light up the eyes boys, Light up the eyes!"

Never heard of this one, but it looks like a gem! The fight and stunt coreography alone was awesome. Also, I actually love the look of "city street that's a movie lot", I dunno, maybe it's a nostalgia thing.

Professor Toru Tanaka was born in Hawaii, he was a professional wrestler, professional boxer, college football player before getting into acting. He passed away in 2000.

I wonder if this was how the Martin Sheen bedroom scene in Apocalypse Now was supposed to look? Instead, he got hammered and had a nervous breakdown with the cameras rolling 🤣

Facial recognition AI is constantly playing catch up, with Brant forever in the lead.

The dude Jason recognized early on is stuntman/actor Thomas Rosales Jr! For me his most memorable scenes include Chico in Running Man - aka the guy who gets his head blown off from the bomb collar at the beginning, one of the mercs from Jurassic Park 2- he was the guy listening to a walkman while his buddy got eaten by the tiny dinos I think, and he is also the refinery worker who gets eaten by a graboid in Tremors 2. Whenever my sis and I see him show up in a movie we quote Arnold's line from Running Man "NO CHICO NO!!" and he almost always dies 2 secs later 🤣

Can't unsee that kid dropping his hand during that roundhouse on the lineman

5:24 man that gave me some uncle iroh chills… rip mako

I love how Erin sees Ruffio in every movie!

The routine with the double bastons is called Sinawali or weaving, it's from Kali/Arnis/Escrima aka FMA- Filipino Martial Arts

This "Perfect Weapon" was a hell of a lot more enjoyable than the other. I never knew I wanted to see Kenshiro square up with an Odd-Job analogue until I did.

Yeah, that Dante Basco really gets around. This came out the same year he was Rufio in Hook, plus he even fit in a TV movie called the Hit Man also in 1991. He has 146 acting credits, so you'll probably keep seeing him in many SBIG movies. Kind of surprised you didn't recognize the love interest Mariska Hargitay from Law & Order SVU. Cary Hiroyuki-Tagawa is also in a ton of things, though I see now he only has 141 acting credits, so he is somehow slightly behind Rufio. Weird.

Oh my! Erin is super giddy here! Those fighting sticks are called " Arnis de Mano " or " Eskrima". Filipino fighting sticks

Man, I used to be such a craft beer dude, even worked in multiple breweries. Now I'm like, "Bud Light Plz".

I'm astonishment by Jason memory I'm good at remember actors that actually have a career he remembers every single rando he watches on any given movie, with plot points and almost character name

One of these days, Jason and crew are gonna have a fire sale of dvds on their ebay store.

Prof. Tanaka isn't dead from that explosion. Like The Emperor, he's just got a little headache.

The Speakman character's fighting approach was legit, so he apparently had a good trainer for the movie.

Good catch. It is Rufio. And fun fact. It’s also Prince Zuko standing next to his uncle from “Avatar: The last airbender”

Omg I remember this from HBO midnight time from when I was a kid. Loved it then, love it now. To see 2 avatar the last Airbender actors in the same movie like 20 years before the show is so awesome. Loved this one.

I love the perfect weapon! Jeff Speakman was my hero in our little Kenpo Studio back in the 90's. I used to try to mimic the I got the power scene, haha! cringy. He was actually doing a higher form (kata) in the beginning of the movie and a lot of his fighting in the movie was based on Kenpo moves. Great review. Cracked up on her and her Rufio sightings.

Erin and Dave have to sit you down and make you watch "Hook" so you can be just as excited as we are when Ru-Fi-OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH hits the screen!!!

Mako!!! Man he makes this movie automatically more awesome than most of the other stuff in this channel! Love that guy ever since "Conan the Barbarian" and I was sad he was not alive for the final season of "Samurai Jack" 😭

I got the power is also the song that plays when steven Seagal orders a bucket of KFC fried chicken with extra biscuits.

So much better than I thought it would be - I never saw it when it was new. Speakman's hits looked pretty good! And I wonder if anybody noticed he looked like a jacked Bruce Boxleitner.