L.A. Streetfighters (1985)
"Los Angeles Streetfighter" (original title)

A Korean immigrant in L.A. encounters difficulties when he refuses to join the all-Korean gang in his highschool.

Director:

Woo-sang Park

Writers:

Ji-woon Hong (screenplay), Ji-woon Hong (story),

Stars:

Jun Chong, Phillip Rhee, James Lew

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jun Chong	...	Young
Phillip Rhee	...	Tony
James Lew	...	Chan
Rosanna King	...	Lily
Bill Wallace	...	Kruger
Ken Nagayama	...	Yoshida
Frank Marmolejo	...	Frank
Dorin Mukama	...	Darren
Mark Hicks	...	Mark
Gina S. Im	...	Young's Mother
Toma Gjokaj	...	Syndicate Boss
Arlene Montano	...	Chan's girlfriend
Hila Popaj	...	Young's Mother's Boyfriend
Leena Parkveermonsky	...	Rich Girl
Igor Sheriman	...	Rich Guy

Storyline

Tony is the new kid at school. He befriend gang leader Young, whose top rival is Chan. Tony is also dating Chan's sister, Lily. When Young and Tony are hired as personal security, they head to a private party run by a drug dealer. When Young steals the money from the dealer, two hitmen arrive and torture his gang. Young must fight them off but also face the wrath of Chan. Tony must help his new friend before it's too late.

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Plot Keywords:

gang | friend | security | gang leader | drug dealer | 

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Taglines:

Forced to become deadly warriors...Just to survive

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

South Korea USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

March 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

L.A. Street Fighter

Company Credits

Production Co:

Action Brothers, Samyeong Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The high school scenes were filmed at Fairfax High School on Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles. Canter's Deli, a popular restaurant that is also located on Fairfax, is visible during one scene.

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Quotes

Yoshida: Let me introduce myself. I'm from Osaka. Name is Mr. Ken. With this, I have killed two people. I'm the best hitman from Japan. It will be my pleasure to kill for you.
Kruger: I don't need this bullshit introduction. My name is Kruger from New York. You know my reputation. Just tell me who you want and he'll be mine.

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Soundtracks

"Main Title Theme"
Composed and Arranged by Charley Pavlosky and Gary Falcone

User Reviews

"And for starters, you pay me five bucks!"

Young (Jun Chong), Tony (Phillip Rhee) and three friends start up a security business and this results in them getting in fights a lot. The main plot doesn't kick in until an hour has passed when Young steals a ton of drug money from a client who hired them ("It was bad money and I would put it to a good cause"). Naturally, the dealer wants it back so he hires two assassins - Japan's Yoshida (Ken Nagayama) and New York's Kruger (Bill "Superfoot" Wallace) - to retrieve it and teach the boys a lesson.

This is an odd, yet enjoyable 80s action flick. Odd in the sense that it has no plot for the first hour and that lead tough guy Jun Chong spends a lot of time crying about his drunk mom not loving him. Oh, and there isn't a single ninja in NINJA TURF (its original title was LOS ANGELES STREETFIGHTER). I'm not sure if it hit theaters or not, but RCA/Columbia did release it on VHS. Director Woo-sang Park (under the name Richard Park) directs the action scenes well with an emphasis on the marital arts talents of the leads. This was Rhee's first lead role and he went on to star in the popular BEST OF THE BEST series. Brinke Stevens shows up as a drug dealer's girlfriend and supplies the film's only nudity. I was surprised when I looked up Chong's filmography to see I own 5 of the 6 films he's made, with 2 of them unwatched now. Why I was surprised is beyond me.

Looking up the supporting cast, it seems they have a real superstar in their midst. Mark Hicks is a member of Young's crew (aptly named Mark) and he achieved internet superstar notoriety as the famous Afro Ninja, the guy who attempts to do a flip with some nunchaku and falls on his head. I'm sure you've seen it.