I’ve been waiting all year to find a film that I absolutely love, one that’s near perfect in my eyes, but that’s a pretty tall order to fill since I tend to have eccentric tastes. That being sad, I’ve finally found it — The Paper Tigers. The film has so much going for it in a variety of ways that it’s tough to categorize. It’s part revenge film, action film, a martial arts picture, a comedy, and even a drama.
First time feature film director Quoc Bao Tran was mentored by action legend Corey Yuen (The Transporter) and has adapted that style of choreography. Tran breathes new life into it by using action to drive and develop characters. This shines through and shows just how much heart went into the film.
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As teenagers, Danny (Alain Uy), Hing (Ron Yuan), and Jim (Mykel Shannon Jenkins) were Kung Fu students of Sifu Cheung (Roger Yuan). The three teenagers not only bonded, but became known as The Three Tigers and were all undefeated fighters. Fast-forward twenty-five years, and the three friends have all moved on, grown apart, and given up the martial arts. When Sifu Cheung dies unexpectedly, the friends reunite to pay their respects, only to learn that their master may have been killed. They reluctantly decide they owe it to his memory to find out the truth about his death, even if it means drudging up painful memories from the past.
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First off, the main cast of Uy, Yuan, and Jenkins are completely believable in their roles, thanks to their chemistry. They bring to life not only their characters, but the film as a whole in a unique way. Sure, on the surface, the film is a martial arts movie but it’s the heart underneath that truly shines through. All three characters have their own arc, demons they must overcome, and their journey is really based on friendship.
The action scenes vary in degrees of seriousness. Some are playful, while others show growth, which goes to show just how brilliant Tran is as a filmmaker, using those action scenes to build on character. When you take a look back at films like The Karate Kid or Best of the Best, The Paper Tigers fits perfectly into the same category. You get the same sense of excitement, drama, a whole slew of laughs, and you feel so much better about life, about accomplishment, and you’re inspired to see if you can take your life to the next level.
Coming to DVD & Blu-ray on June 22nd from Well Go USA Entertainment, The Paper Tigers is fun for the whole family and a must-see 2021 film.
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