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Chuck Norris, Jonathan Brandis, Beau Bridges, Mako, Julia Nickson ... see more see more... , Joe Piscopo , Danica McKellar , John Buchanan , Richard Moll , Annette Benson , Dennis Burkley , Gerrit Graham , Henry Holmes , Dennis Letts , Eric Norris , Robert Wall , Don Pike , David Saunders , Bert Dedman , Wally Rose , Penny Perry Davis , David Born , Gary Pike , Mark Stevens , Julia Nickson-Soul

A teenager daydreams of getting some payback from the bullies who menace him in this hybrid of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947) and The Karate Kid (1984). Barry Gabrewski (Jonathan Brandis) is a... read more read more...n asthmatic schoolboy who can't participate in sports, much to the delight of a bullying classmate (John Buchanan) and his sadistic gym teacher (Richard Moll). Miserably unhappy, Barry escapes into a world of fantasy, where he imagines himself the tough, karate-proficient sidekick of action movie hero Chuck Norris. Trying to turn his dreams into reality, Barry visits dojo master Kelly Stone (Joe Piscopo), but Stone only mocks his aspirations. A supportive teacher introduces Barry to her uncle, Mr. Lee (Mako), a cook and martial arts teacher who takes Barry under his wing and teaches him the secrets of karate prowess. When Barry becomes good enough to enter a tournament, he needs a fourth athlete to complete his team, and who should be in the stands making a publicity appearance but the real-life Norris, who steps in to fight side-by-side with the plucky teen. Sidekicks was directed by Norris's brother and frequent collaborator Aaron Norris. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

48% liked it

6,855 ratings

Critics

14% liked it

7 critics

PG, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Aaron Norris

Release Date: April 9, 1993

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DVD Release Date: September 29, 1993

Stats: 455 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (455)

  • FilmFanatik
    September 30, 2008
    FilmFanatik
    Don't remember much about this one other than it has Chuck Norris in it and I didn't like it much.
  • deano
    March 22, 2007
    deano
    Chuck Norris is essentially a guest star in this film where he plays himself both in real-life and the high adventure daydreams of Jonathan Brandis. A sort of martial arts story with some great choreography and a very funny script working with a great cast.
  • sanjurosamurai
    January 24, 2007
    sanjurosamurai
    good kids flick with chuck norris kicking stuff
  • FateVictim
    April 20, 2009
    FateVictim
    I was 12 years old and totally in LOVE with Jonathan Brandis when this movie came out -- so YEAH I LOVED it! <3
  • kms5079
    March 6, 2008
    kms5079
    Chuck Norris once round house kicked a man in the face so hard that his foot broke the speed of light and traveled back in time killing Amelia Earhart as she flew across the Atlantic.
  • Syn619
    February 23, 2008
    Syn619
    Sadly, one the best movies of the late Johnathan Brandis of all time. Truly, he should've gotten the recognition that he deserved after making this.
  • parldro42082
    August 15, 2007
    parldro42082
    RIP Jonathan!!! I loved this movie when I was young and remember going out to buy it when Jonathan passed, fell in love with it all over again.
  • MovieGuruDude72
    June 19, 2007
    MovieGuruDude72
    One of the dumbest premises ever. Is Chuck Norris real or imaginary? Back before Jonathan Brandis offed himself.
  • fearad
    June 13, 2007
    fearad
    This movie is awesome on certain levels. Who doesn't fantasize about teaming up with Chuck, although Brandis' obsession gets creepy.
  • bb797
    March 28, 2007
    bb797
    I was on a jonathan brandis face, and i really really like bruce. But this movie dissapointed me w the flashbacks. If it wasnt for that i'd have really loved this movie. Its still good though

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Critic Reviews

Nell Minow
July 20, 2003
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

Modest little treat.

Joe Leydon
March 26, 2009
Joe Leydon, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

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

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

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Richard Harrington
January 1, 2000
Richard Harrington, Washington Post

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James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

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June 1, 1993
Entertainment Weekly

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Emanuel Levy
August 15, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

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

No review available.

Marc Savlov
January 1, 2000
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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