Best of the Best

A movie that really impacted my life is Best of the Best (1989). This movie, about the Korean martial art Taekwon-Do, is one of a sequence of exposures that caused me to take up Taekwon-Do when I was about 15 or 16 years old. I saw the movie, was touched and awed by it, and soon afterwards saw an advertisement for Taekwon-Do with the tag: “As seen in Best of the Best”. I was sold. And so started my love affair with Taekwon-Do. I’ve always been interested in the martial arts, have trained in many, but have always return to Taekwon-Do as my base.

The movie Best of the Best is not your typical martial art film. It is more a drama than an action movie. The story, although somewhat simplistic, is layered with depth and the acting is surprisingly good (for a martial art movie). The performance by Eric Roberts is especially riveting. I’m yet to meet someone who has not choked up while watching Best of the Best. I personally cry every time I see it.

Apart from Philip Rhee’s great martial art skill, the Best of the Best-sequels are not that good.