SnoReptilePlenty Memorable, crazy movie

Console best movie i've ever seen.

Numerootno A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

Deanna There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Scott LeBrun The first starring vehicle for martial artist Jeff Speakman is overall a very routine affair, utilizing a tried-and-true theme of vengeance for its story. The good thing is that the action is effective, with Speakman delivering the goods in a great many fight scenes. He may be a little bland in terms of personality and acting talent, but as we can see here he is definitely very good at what is known as Kenpo. (The movie is dedicated to the legendary Ed Parker and the "spirit of Kenpo".) Director Mark DiSalle ("Kickboxer") does a decent job, telling a tight little story that clocks in at a respectable 85 minute run time. A supporting cast full of familiar faces also helps matters a lot.Speakman plays a guy named Jeff, a loner estranged from his family who decides to give his old mentor and friend Kim (Mako) a call. Unfortunately, Kim is currently being harassed by meanies representing the Korean mob. When Kim is murdered, Jeff's ripe for revenge, although he will have to deal with the presence of his younger brother Adam (John Dye), who's now a police detective.You do know you're in for some fun with a group of actors that includes James Hong, Beau Starr, Professor Toru Tanaka, Clyde Kusatsu, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. Hong is great as always and the massive Professor, one of the most recognizable faces in the whole action genre, is typically amusing as a muscle man. Dante Basco is engaging as live wire kid Jimmy Ho, but if you're watching this because you learned that future 'Law & Order' actress Mariska Hargitay is in it, be warned that while she does *look* great, she basically has nothing to do. Mako is endearing for the duration of his role.The big finish is naturally the best part, with Jeff going one on one against the Professor.Good entertainment overall.Seven out of 10.

almostmetal ..But that's not to say the movie is all-around great. It's a very typical low-budget action flick. The story is pretty cookie-cutter as far as action movies go. It isn't Shakespeare believe me. And the acting is substandard at best. But Jeff Speakman to his enormous credit is a very accomplished martial artist. And having studied Kenpo for many years I can safely say that it's one of the most faithful films to capture the art. And what is even more impressive is the way the film portrays how Kenpo works when compared to different styles (like Tae Kwon Do).So despite some minor inadequacies it's pretty awesome in many other respects. So for that I give it major credit. And to be honest it's a fun, feel good flick. I would recommend it to any martial arts fan. It's a good time.

bronsonskull72 Jeff Speakman stars as Jeff Sanders a drifter who vows revenge after the Korean Mafia kill his mentor (Mako) In this emptyheaded and overall dull chop-socky actioner. Jeff Speakman may have a few good moves up his sleeve but his acting ability leaves a lot to be desired.

Mike Helfield (Invictus) Jeff Speakman's performance in "The Perfect Weapon" is awesome. This plot is able to magnificently interweave furious action sequences with the literary theme of the return home. While the plot differs markedly from that of "The Odyssey" by the epic bard Homer, there is still one vital thread that can be explored: both heroes return home after a long exile to kick ass and reclaim their positions in society. The ensuing list of possible contrasts and comparisons is exhausting if not infinite. However, if one is to understand one point, it is that in both works, martial arts are employed to signify the process of social transition; the re-integration of the hero into society. To be a little less formal, let use the martial arts aspect as a segue into a nifty little observation. Jeff Speakman is a reasonably well known proponent of Ed Parker's Kenpo Karate, developed in U.S. during the 1940s and 1950s. "The Perfect Weapon" is an excellent primer on the power and wisdom of this art. The clearest example of this exposition is at Master Lo's Kenpo school, where Speakman learns both the skills and valuable lesson he will keep with him for the rest of his life; the most important being the difference between the tiger and the dragon. Yet, the movie is set in Koreatown, where Tae Kwon Do is the martial art du jour. The korean flags are prominent in the gym scene, and the references to Korean culture abound. There appears then, to be a subtle not so subtle match up between Kenpo Karate and Tae Kwon Do. The climax of this tension comes as Speakman confronts Leo Lee (Bandana) in the gym, looking for a guy who is 'good in Tae Kwon Do.' Does the ensuing three on one fight symbolize the clash of fighting styles? No one will ever know what Ed Parker or Mark DiSalle wanted to achieve here, but the contrast is too present to be simply a coincidence. Alas, all reviews must end somewhere, and though I have much more to say, I will end my two cents with a small criticism of the action in the film. Anyone with a decent amount of martial arts experience will note that in the final warehouse scene, the knife attacks are undoubtedly more akin to training exercises than to real street techniques, but then again that may have been purposely done. It is also worth noting that this author has minimal training in Kajukenbo (an art based on Kenpo) and is far from an expert in the field. The one thing that I can say with reasonable auctoritas is that this movie is electric from start to finish.