Review: Double Dragon
Blu-ray: Double Dragon (1994)
Ahhh….the 90’s. Almost feels like yesterday when movies based on video games were the hottest property in movieland. Superhero films were still a rarity, aside from the odd blockbuster, so the big screen hero’s were found in arcade machines or 8 & 16 bit consoles.
From 101 Films comes 1994’s Double Dragon on Blu-ray for the first time.
Based on the popular 80’s video game of the same name, Double Dragon is one of those huge budgeted, directionless adaptations of a video game. Suffering from having to make a coherent story from a game where all you do is…kick…punch…walk…repeat. The filmmakers have had to concoct a story that warrants a 90+ minute film.
Set in a post apocalyptic future where gangs rule the streets, we follow Jimmy Lee and Billy Lee, played by 90’s pretty boy Scott Wolf and martial arts expert Mark Dacascos (who is criminally underused). They stumble across a plot by futuristic villain Koga Shuko, hammed up brilliantly by Robert Patrick (with shocking bleached blonde hair) who is seeking the missing half of an ancient medallion that gives the wearer super mystical ancient Chinese powers. The Lee’s become mixed up in this ’adventure’ and must protect the medallion from falling into Shuko’s evil hands. Cue lots of running around the wasteland’s (a well dressed L.A. that looks quite epic) avoiding mutants and ‘bad dudes’ that Shuko has recruited to chase down the Lee’s and then take over the city. They are aided by a very easy on the eye Alyssa Milano and a good sense of fun. The only shame here is that casting someone as talented as Dacascos in a kid’s film limits his ability as a martial artist. Go watch the under rated action movie ‘Drive’ or the manga live action ‘Crying Freeman’ to see him at his bone breaking best.
The tone of this film is very odd, shifting from kid friendly action scenes with a Power Rangers vibe to biomechanical mutants and post apocalyptic wasteland gang scenes that reference more adult films like Mad Max or The Warriors. Visually the film is good, using a lot of early 90’s CGI which dates it awfully but shots of the devastated cityscapes are excellent, also the practical FX are nice. With Double Dragon being based on a video game it at least has some faithful nods to the source material; from the characters trademark red and blue costumes to the games first boss Abobo having a major role. I must also mention a little cameo from horror hero Michael Berryman, it just made me smile.
This film is a mess like the Super Mario Bros film from 1993, the struggle to convert a simple concept into a big movie is lost in the bonkers plot and confused direction. However, as an example of Hollywood throwing the entire bank at a property in a vain attempt to ‘create’ a blockbuster based on popular culture, it stands as a historic curiosity. See also Mortal Kombat (1995) and Street Fighter (1994)
The picture is bright, colourful and detailed showing off a gorgeous 1080p HD transfer with very little to gripe about.
Sound is deep and clear, the films soundtrack is littered with 90’s rock and techno which gave my speakers a good workout throughout the film.
No special features sadly.
Another great release of a nice little obscurity from 101 Films.
Review by Ramrod (co-host of 60 Minutes With) from a disc kindly supplied by 101 Films.