The Perfect Weapon (1991)

Jeff, a young delinquent, is enrolled by his father in a kenpo school, in the hopes of teaching the boy some self-discipline. Years later, Jeff's mentor, Kim, is being threatened by one of ... See full summary »

Director:

Mark DiSalle

Writer:

David C. Wilson

Stars:

Jeff Speakman, John Dye, Mako

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Speakman	...	Jeff Sanders
John Dye	...	Det. Adam Sanders
Mako	...	Kim
James Hong	...	Yung
Mariska Hargitay	...	Jennifer
Dante Basco	...	Jimmy Ho
Beau Starr	...	Capt. Carl Sanders
Seth Sakai	...	Master Lo
Professor Toru Tanaka	...	Tanaka
Clyde Kusatsu	...	Detective Wong
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa	...	Kai
Tom Hermann	...	Jeff - Age 17
Micah Roberts	...	Jeff - Age 11
Ryan Bohannon	...	Adam - Age 6
Justin Webb	...	Adam - Age 12

Storyline

Jeff, a young delinquent, is enrolled by his father in a kenpo school, in the hopes of teaching the boy some self-discipline. Years later, Jeff's mentor, Kim, is being threatened by one of the Korean mafia families. Jeff tries to help his old friend, but is too late to prevent Kim's death at the hands of an unknown hitman. Vowing revenge, Jeff takes on all of the families, using his martial arts skills to find the man who killed his friend.

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Plot Keywords:

martial arts | martial artist | hit in the crotch | kung fu | cult film | 

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Taglines:

No gun. No knife. No equal.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for martial arts violence and for some language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The likeness of Jeff Sanders was later used for the cover of "Fighter Maker 2" for the PS2.

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Goofs

When Tanaka is being transported in a police car, he hits the driver, causing the car to lose control and flip. The gas canister used to flip the car is visible on the road as the car flips.

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Quotes

Jeff: I wonder if I could kick your ass. No, not just you. All three of you.
Bandana: Are you serious?
Jeff: Yeah. Are you? I take on all three of you, you point me in the right direction. Deal?
Bandana: Full contact. No protection.
Jeff: No problem.

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Crazy Credits

Before the credits there is the following line: 'This film is dedicated to Ed Parker and the spirit of Kenpo.'

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Alternate Versions

The TBS television airings also includes a scene of young Jeff skipping school at an arcade. It also shows an extended version of the scene of Jeff's first day at the Kenpo school.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Stuntmakers: Fantastic Fights (1991)

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Soundtracks

Oriental Flower
Written by Jim Jacobsen (as Peter Morris)
Courtesy of Ole Georg/Capitol Production Music

User Reviews

Jeff Speakman rocks in The Perfect Weapon!

Jeff Speakman really shines in this early 90's beat em' up. He has a lot of charisma, good screen presence and great fighting skills. Directed by Mark DiSalle who made JCVD classics Bloodsport and Kickboxer previous to this. When his family friend Kim is harassed then murdered by the Korean crime syndicate, Jeff Speakman beats up many bad guys on his mission for justice. The pace is quick with much well choreographed martial arts action. The support cast is great with Mako, James Hong, Professor Toru Tanaka, James Lew as well as many Asian Hollywood regulars that worked during this period.If you like the Van Damme and Segal movies of the late 80's/early 90's you will most likely dig The Perfect Weapon. It is too bad Jeff Speakman did'nt make many films with a decent budget. If he had the chance to do more projects of the same caliber and quality as TPW, he would be a household name in the action genre.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Korean

Release Date:

15 March 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Perfect Weapon

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,934,572, 17 March 1991

Gross USA:

$14,061,361

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,061,361

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 90 min (edited)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo (4 channels)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1