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Eric Roberts, James Earl Jones, Sally Kirkland, Phillip Rhee, Chris Penn ... see more see more... , John Dye , David Agresta , Tom Everett , Louise Fletcher , John P. Ryan , Edan Gross , Simon Rhee , Ahmad Rashad , James Lew , Ken Nagayama , Master Ho Sik Pak , Dae Kyu Chang , Samantha Scully , Adrianne Sachs , Kane Hodder , Calvin Bartlett , Edward Bunker , Billy Burton , Hee Cho II , Helen Funai , Danny Gibson , Melanie Kinnaman , Ricky Barnard , Chang Park Kim , Eugene Choe , Miriam Ezra , Steve Hulin , Jeffery Jagger , Kwang Jae Lee , Orion Masters , Diane Mizrahi , David Park , David Rody , Steve Santosusso , Jonathan Strauss , R. Lee Telford , Greg Williams , James F. Tarzia , Pete Antico , Christopher Penn

Learning the value of teamwork, the racially diverse U.S. karate team must work through their personal troubles to successfully participate in the upcoming international competition. ~ Kristie Hassen,... read more read more... Rovi

Flixster Users

62% liked it

22,050 ratings

PG-13, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Bob Radler, Robert Radler

Release Date: November 10, 1989

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DVD Release Date: September 28, 2004

Stats: 791 reviews

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Chris Penn & Phillip Rhee Best of the Best Eric Roberts & James Earl Jones
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Flixster Reviews (791)

  • Deano78
    August 20, 2010
    Deano78
    A half decent martial arts flick as a USA team take on a well trained Korean team. A bit slow to get going but the fights are pretty good towards the end. A kinda grown up karate kid.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 15, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    A team is not a team if you don't give a damn about each other.
  • deano
    March 13, 2007
    deano
    Amazing karate competition of an underdog U.S. national karate team battles for the world title in this martial arts Rocky.
  • superclerk25
    February 4, 2007
    superclerk25
    I think this one was cool. This was an intro to the characters. They would later be thrown into action adventures as the series went on.
  • sanjurosamurai
    January 25, 2007
    sanjurosamurai
    really good action
  • EbertsLittleApprentice
    September 23, 2009
    EbertsLittleApprentice
    A Melo-Dramatic Action Flick, That Make's "Brandon Lee" look like "Bruce Lee."
  • John2223
    March 24, 2011
    John2223
    I really enjoyed "Best of the Best" but I did not think it was that great. The fights were really good but the story was not that good.
    Overall its a very watchable movie with great fight scenes.
  • sayers1977
    June 9, 2010
    sayers1977
    A film (like American Ninja) that my dad loved and I discovered it through him. Every cliche in the book is here but that's what audiences wanted in the 80's and it looks like the trend might be coming back (just witness The Expendables). There is nothing here you haven't seen be... read morefore but it's all done with it's tongue firmly in it's cheek (although Eric Roberts looks like he's giving his all) and the fight contest at the end is great. Funniest bit: watching fat old Chris Penn try and keep up with his team-mates as they jog around the football pitch. Hilarious!
  • whosinthenews
    February 2, 2010
    whosinthenews
    Maaan, James Earl Jones is a total DICK in this movie. I mean, geez, Eric Robert's kid gets run over and Vader makes him choose between being a good father and staying on the team? What's up with that? That's some hardcore coaching right there. Luckily Eric Roberts is the best ar... read moreound and won't let anybody keep him down. He gets back on the horse and rides that stallion all over the Korean team's ass.
    This movie is figuratively bursting at the seams with explosive action! Usually these kinds of films try to bore us with a plot of some kind. Best of the Best removes the filler and gives us all the montage we could ever wish for. Dislocated shoulder? F that. "Pop it! Pop it!"
  • leekyle1968
    December 21, 2008
    leekyle1968
    This has b acting, however was a real good and intense film! If you are into karate at all this is a must see showcasing the amazing style of Phillip Rhee.

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Critic Reviews

Michael A. Smith
January 8, 2005
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review

I LOVE this movie. Bad sequels take away from the original.

Scott Weinberg
July 25, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Surprisingly not-awful cable-flick action-fest!

Stephen Holden
May 20, 2003
Stephen Holden, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
November 5, 2004
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

January 26, 2006
Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Best of the Best Trivia

  • Which of the following wedding movie does Cameron Diaz star in as the bride to be?  Answer »
  • In which movie did Eric Roberts play a member of the United States Karate Team which face off against Team Korea?  Answer »
  • Which movie had the best opening day ever with $55 million worldwide?  Answer »
  • Which of the following Star Wars film didn't earn an Oscar Nomination for Best Visual Effects?  Answer »
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