Talk:Best of the Best (1989 film)

Direct to video, or no?

Was this movie shown in theaters? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.20.163.205 (talk) 05:36, 2 November 2014 (UTC)

I don't think this was direct-to-video. It just may not have been a wide release, at least in the United States.

RayGhost (talk) 07:02, 14 April 2015 (UTC)

Which art?

Seems kind of odd to omit which martial arts the tournament is concerned with. Since it is Korea, I'm guessing it is Tae Kwon Do, but guessing isn't a good thing to do with articles. --Gwern (contribs) 16:24, 31 October 2006 (UTC)r

Re: Which art?

Having watched the film, and personally practicing Taekwonko, the writer of the original article seems largely correct in his comments that the sport/art is in fact, Taekwondo.

I'm not sure what sources or references would be applicable to suport this. A lot of the information given - for example, the use of Huogu (body protectors) being a relatively unique trait of WTF Taekwondo - is anecdotal, but accurate nonetheless (verifyable through virtually any credible observation of the sport). It's also worth noting that in the US, Taekwondo is often referred to as 'Korean Karate' and that the descriptions/labelling of the sport in the film may have been altered for convenience; i.e. for easier understanding/consumption by the target audience. There's also a scene in the final setting of the film where an American sports commentator at the ringside explains that the styles employed in the tournament involve a mix of Karate, Judo, Kickboxing and Taekwondo (IIRC), which would support the ambiguity observed in the original article that certain techniques [such as grappling, throws, punches to the face, and kicks to the legs] are in fact prohibited in WTF Taekwondo.

Furthermore, with the 'events' portrayed in the film taking place circa 20 years ago, it's also worth noting that the sport (particularly in the competitive arena) practiced in the late eighties was very different to the sport practiced today.

One other thing - the article omits to mention Philip Rhee as a starring actor; only Eric Roberts and James Earl Jones are mentioned. I'm not making any changes to the article at this time as this is purely an observation; but in watching the film, Philip Rhee is certainly more than a supporting actor - as the cast is 'whittled down' in the subsequent sequels, his character (Tommy) is also the only one left...

Mike.Harrison 22:30, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

I agree with Mike. Unless you have trained in Tae Kwon Do (I use this spelling) in one or both styles of TKD or are very aware of the history of TKD, then the general public wouldn't know about the differences of both styles of TKD. One being within the movie, the chest protector. for one being the signature of WTF TKD and the other main difference, the dobak (the uniform). ITF TKD's dobak is typically the Japanese style gi uniform. I have trained in both styles of TKD and I have 2 different dobaks. As for the WTF chest protector, I have seen it used in ITF TKD schools as well.

RayGhost 07:00, 14 April 2015 (UTC)

Modified description of plot =

I changed the plot description sentence from the original "The plot revolves around a team of American taekwondoin facing a team of Koreans in a taekwondo tournament.". Since the American teamn were not all Tae Kwon Do practitioners, it would be better to state it that way. I also changed the description of the South Korean team.. While it could very well be assumed that all of the members of the South Korean team are TKD practitioners, it's just cleaner and consistent with the description of the American team, in general.

RayGhost Use way as no way; Use limitation as no limitation (talk) 07:18, 14 April 2015 (UTC)