BEST OF THE BEST II (1993)

MORGAN'S RATING

Two former members of the U.S. national karate team join forces to avenge the death of their friend, who was brutally slain in competition at an underground Las Vegas fighting club. An initual confrontation between the revenge-driven pair and the murderer leaves the evildoer with a horrible facial scar, and he vows to bury the two interlopers. After he makes a few attempts to gun the duo down, they finally settle the score in a bloody grudge match at the club.

Eric Roberts (Alex Grady), Phillip Rhee (Tommy Lee), Chris Penn (Travis Brickley), Edan Gross (Walter Grady), Ralf Moeller (Brakus), Meg Foster (Sue), Sonny Landham (James), Wayne Newton (Weldon), Betty Carvalho (Grandma), Simon Rhee (Dae Han), Claire Stansfield (Greta), Hayward Nishioka (Sae Jin Kwon), Ken Nagayama (Yung June), Frank Salsedo (Charlie), Stefanos Miltsakakis (Stavros), Myung Kue Kim (Khan), Patrick Kilpatrick (Finch), Mike Genovese (Gus), Nicholas Worth (Sick Humor), Matt Thomas (Soft Voice), Edward Bunker (Spotlight Operator), David Rody (Slimy Man), John Charles Sheeham (Front Doorman), Kane Hodder (Backdoor Man), Randy Gomes (Policeman), Robert Radler (Floor Manager), Harry Hauss (Helicopter Pilot), Buckley Norris (Gambler), Rain Ivana (Teller), Cliff 'Fatty' Emmich (Texan), Alex Desir (Andre Marais), Lionel Washington (Hammer), Amanda Barry (Bartender).

THIS TIME, IT'S THE FIGHT OF THEIR LIVES.

FACTS

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

RELEASE DATE: March 5th, 1993 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $2.8 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $6.6 million (USA) - Phillip Rhee holds a fifth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a third degree black belt in Hapki Do. He was also a member of the 1980 United States Olympic Team. - Chris Penn, in additiona to his acting career, has had five professional fights as a boxer and a kickboxer. - Followed by two sequels: Best of the Best 3: No Turning Back (1995) and Best of the Best: Without Warning (1998).

DIRECTOR: Robert Radler (Best of the Best). WRITERS: Max Strom and John Allen Nelson. PRODUCERS: Phillip Rhee and Peter E. Strauss. CO-PRODUCERS: Deborah Scott and Marlon Staggs. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Frank Giustra and Peter E. Strauss. ORIGINAL MUSIC: David Michael Frank. DISTRIBUTOR: Lions Gate Films

QUOTES

Weldon: The only rule is that there are no rules.

Alex: Stay away from the Playboy channel!

Weldon: The winner and new owner of the Coliseum, Mr. Tommy Lee! Say a few words, champ. Tommy Lee: The Coliseum is closed.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"A major studio actually backed this sequel?" -- Clint Morris, Moviehole

"Best of the Best 2 is a shameless celebration of blood and violence..." -- James Berardinelli, Reel Views