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American Shaolin

  • 1991
  • PG-13
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
Trent Bushey and Reese Madigan in American Shaolin (1991)
Action

After being humiliated in the ring by a dirty kickboxer who pulled down his shorts and then hit him, a martial arts master decides to travel to China and enter a monastery where he may learn... Read allAfter being humiliated in the ring by a dirty kickboxer who pulled down his shorts and then hit him, a martial arts master decides to travel to China and enter a monastery where he may learn the Shaolin form of fighting. The film then veers into "Karate Kid" territory where the n... Read allAfter being humiliated in the ring by a dirty kickboxer who pulled down his shorts and then hit him, a martial arts master decides to travel to China and enter a monastery where he may learn the Shaolin form of fighting. The film then veers into "Karate Kid" territory where the novice humiliates himself at every turn, is tolerated as a foreigner, and still comes out a... Read all

  • Director
    • Lucas Lowe
  • Writer
    • Keith W. Strandberg
  • Stars
    • Trent Bushey
    • Kim Chan
    • Reese Madigan
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    1.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Lucas Lowe
    • Writer
      • Keith W. Strandberg
    • Stars
      • Trent Bushey
      • Kim Chan
      • Reese Madigan
    • 11User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos16

    American Shaolin (1991)
    American Shaolin (1991)
    American Shaolin (1991)
    Reese Madigan in American Shaolin (1991)
    Reese Madigan in American Shaolin (1991)
    Reese Madigan and Henry O in American Shaolin (1991)
    Cliff Lenderman in American Shaolin (1991)
    Cliff Lenderman, Reese Madigan, and Henry O in American Shaolin (1991)
    Billy Chang, Daniel Dae Kim, and Reese Madigan in American Shaolin (1991)
    Trent Bushey and Reese Madigan in American Shaolin (1991)
    American Shaolin (1991)
    Alice Zhang Hung and Reese Madigan in American Shaolin (1991)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Trent Bushey
    • Trevor Gottitall
    Kim Chan
    Kim Chan
    • Master Kwan
    Reese Madigan
    Reese Madigan
    • Drew Carson
    Daniel Dae Kim
    Daniel Dae Kim
    • Gao
    Billy Chang
    • Li
    Cliff Lenderman
    • D.S.
    Henry O
    • San De
    • (as Zhang Zhi Yen)
    Alice Zhang Hung
    • Ashena
    Jean Louisa Kelly
    Jean Louisa Kelly
    • Maria
    D.D. Delaney
    • Bob
    Sifu Jai
    • Dr. Pfeelgut
    Michael Depasquale Jr.
    Michael Depasquale Jr.
    • Announcer
    Tokey Hill
    • Coach #1
    • (as Toki Hill)
    Alan Pottinger
    Alan Pottinger
    • Young Adult
    Andrew Shue
    Andrew Shue
    • Competitor
    Donna Rogers
    • Computer Tech
    Mark Swetland
    • 'Bruce Lee'
    Eric Kong
    • Yaba
    • Director
      • Lucas Lowe
    • Writer
      • Keith W. Strandberg
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jason Bateman turned down the part of Drew because he did not want to shave his head.
    • Goofs
      During the first fight between Drew and Trevor, the crowd outside of the ring clearly disappears and reappears between shots.
    • Quotes

      Competitor: Hey Trevor, what's with the second suit?

      Trevor Gottitall: The finals.

    • Connections
      Follows No Retreat, No Surrender (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      Summertime Blues
      Music and Lyrics by Eddie Cochran and Jerry Capehart

      Lead vocals: Stephen Hogg

      Backing voice: Jim Knettle

      Produced and Arranged by Richard Yuen

    User reviews11

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    5/10
    Seasonal Fun With American Cheese!!
    Producer and director Ng See Yuen (Secret Rivals) presents another Keith Strandberg penned production that is pretty much, just a Chinese take on The Karate Kid and his very own - No Retreat, No Surrender...

    While far from being a classic, with basic production values and comedy that only Keith himself probably found hilarious (including a campy Shaolin take on classic rock song, 'Summertime Blues' retitled 'The Shaolin Temple Blues'), American Shaolin can only best be described as a kung fu comedy with a good cast, decent acting, and poor script only to be saved by some nice martial arts action under the watchful eyes of Peking Opera School brothers Corey Yuen Kwai and Yuen Tak!

    I loved the nod to Kwai's very own film, Righting Wrongs (Above The Law) as he makes a fight between the drill sargent monk and some hoodlums a remake of the one featuring Rothrock in a gambling den - exchanging her handcuffs for his beads. Along with that, the scene at the disco reminded me very much of a similar one in Painted Faces, a film actually about the two Yuen's where all the students get into bother on a night out.

    For his first ever role, Reese Madigan isn't too terrible in this role as Drew Carson - an all American boy who let his master (Kim Chan from Lethal Weapon 4) down in a martial arts tournament in his home town, after being ridiculously humiliated. He's a good looking guy with decent moves and it would have been nice to see him continue in more martial arts, action films whether with Seasonal Films, or not. In Shaolin, his master is the wonderful Henry O (Master Yu in Rush Hour 3) who sees potential in Drew and helps him on his journey.

    Popular American/Korean actor Daniel Dae Kim (24, Lost, Hawaii Five-0) plays Drew's temple adversary who, much like the film itself, get better as time passes. The big Cliff Lenderman is great as their 'drill sarge' and joined Ng See Yuen a few years later for another Strandberg penned production, Superfights...

    As expected, the finale of American Shaolin is all about good versus evil, and of course, showing that Drew's training in Shaolin Temple can help him beat smart ass and dirty fighter Trevor Gottitall (played by the gorgeous Trent Bushey in his only feature film and action role), in a fun end fight that has shades of No Retreat, No Surrender written all over it!

    Just shy of a 2 hour running time and packed with Strandberg cheesiness, the film was clearly made for the American audience from its rock songs to its sports, as well as its attempt at humour. It's far from the 18 Bronzemen Of Shaolin or 36th Chamber Of Shaolin, but it director Lucas Lowe (No Retreat, No Surrender 3; King Of The Kickboxers) passes the time okay and entertains enough to warrant a watch.

    Overall: I've seen worse. The Seasonal/Strandberg films are never amazing, but there is a certain charm that keeps you watching..!
    helpful•3
    0
    • Movie-Misfit
    • Mar 21, 2020

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 23, 1992 (South Korea)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Hong Kong
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • American Shaolin: King of the Kickboxers 2
    • Filming locations
      • Paramus High School Paramus, New Jersey, USA(Martial Arts Competition)
    • Production company
      • Seasonal Film Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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