Thanks for the memories!

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

This was painful to watch. I've always loved Don the Dragon Wilson. There's no doubt that he's a legend. But having him in this movie was more of a gimmick rather than an addition to the plot. Bad acting and confusing plot lines abound in The Martial Arts Kid. The main character steals another person's girlfriend, then beats up a guy for breaking a locket and we're supposed to be sympathetic towards him? If anything, it's our so-called hero who is the "bad guy". I was really shocked by all the critics who have praised this movie. It is without a doubt one of the worst movie I've ever seen.

Wow, all you really need to sell this movie is to say Don the Dragon Wilson and Cynthia Rothrock star in it, but the move is so much more than a film about great martial artists fighting. There are some exciting fight scenes in it and they play into the message of Anti-Bullying which is the main theme of the movie. This is a fast paced story about a troubled teen who finally grows up with the help of the persistence of family, a girl, traditional values of what martial arts is really about, and it is just a super cool fun family martial arts anti-bullying movie with a message for everyone, young and old alike that everyone who has the privilege of watching will enjoy.

Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future Is The Martial Arts Kid a knockdown, drag-out fight flick in which Don "The Dragon" Wilson and Cynthia Rothrock lay waste to gang bangers and drug dealers? Nope. It's more accurate to describe it as a family film in which an ordinary teen discovers the meaning of the martial arts.However, because I'm a few years past being a teenager, it wasn't the movie's portrayal of the trials and tribulations of teen life in the 21st century that appealed to me most. What I really enjoyed was the way the movie paid homage to the men and women who helped spread the martial arts in America. Both in front of and behind the camera, the stars were out in force.Wilson and Rothrock may have retired from competition decades ago, but they still can throw down — and they get a few chances to do exactly that. Among other encounters, Wilson takes on martial artist T.J. Storm, and Rothrock dispatches some baddies on the beach. The man who choreographed those close encounters is veteran martial artist, actor and stuntman James Lew, perhaps best known for his work in Big Trouble in Little China.Another martial arts veteran contributed her expertise to the making of the movie: Cheryl Wheeler served as co-producer. You probably recognize her name. She's a former Black Belt columnist and WKA kickboxing champ who's done stunt work in scores of movies — including fight-doubling for Rene Russo in Lethal Weapon 4, which featured one of my favorite male-on-female fights.As I mentioned, Wilson and Rothrock are center stage in The Martial Arts Kid, where they're surrogate parents for troubled teen Robbie (Jansen Panettiere). Yes, critics fired a few shots at Wilson and Rothrock's performances in the early years of their acting careers, but their skills have improved substantially. In fact, their scenes with Robbie are among the most engaging parts of the movie.I also loved the film's nods to history. I'm talking about things like Rothrock's character hailing from Scranton, Pennsylvania, the city where the star actually grew up. And things like the dojo her character co-owns hosting seminars with real martial arts luminaries like Pete "Sugarfoot" Cunningham, Gerry Blanck, Christine Bannon-Rodrigues, Olando Rivera and Jeff Smith. And details like using old competition photos of Rothrock to adorn the walls of said dojo.The positive messages that run through The Martial Arts Kid make it perfect for youngsters who are in the martial arts, as well as those who should be. But there are plenty of gems that make it fun to watch even if you're a generation removed from that target audience.— Robert W. Young Editor-in-Chief, Black Belt magazine

The film demonstrates how, through the study of the martial arts, a child, young adult, man or woman can learn valuable life lessons which translate into a more fulfilling and successful life outside of the Dojo. "It's not just about the fighting" is a recurring theme in the story and while it is definitely the self defense skills which tip the scales in our "hero's" favor in the last act, throughout the film he learns about family values, honor, respect, and the true value of becoming A MARTIAL ARTIST! In the opening scene Robbie is being arrested and in the final scene he is on the beach with his new girlfriend celebrating his High School Graduation. He says his life is "Almost Perfect". Now THAT is a definite "arc" for one's character. Don