Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- earnest
- motivational
- melodramatic
- action movie night
- martial arts marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a formulaic Rocky clone with strong martial arts action undermined by an inadequate script.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The USA team members must overcome personal trauma and emotional obstacles before facing Team Korea.
The central conflict is a taekwondo championship between Team USA and Team Korea.
The film foregrounds taekwondo fighting scenes within its championship tournament structure.
Its plot follows the familiar adversity overcome pattern associated with Rocky-style competition dramas.
Films like Best of the Best, and why
Rocky
shared underdog sports drama structure, training montage energy, and adversity overcome themes
The Karate Kid
shared martial arts tournament setting, personal redemption, and emotionally direct action drama
Bloodsport
shared team-based competition, disciplined training, and inspirational sports melodrama
Kickboxer
shared 1980s action aesthetics, martial arts spectacle, and determined underdog protagonists
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Radler
- Release Date
- 1989-11-10
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (359)
Cast
- Eric Roberts
- Phillip Rhee
- James Earl Jones
- Sally Kirkland
- Chris Penn
- John Dye
- David Agresta
- Tom Everett
- Louise Fletcher
- John P. Ryan
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Best of the Best about?
- A determined American taekwondo team confronts old wounds and fierce international competition in a hard-hitting championship drama.
- What is Best of the Best like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Best of the Best as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Best of the Best violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Best of the Best as moderate.
- What did critics think of Best of the Best?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a formulaic Rocky clone with strong martial arts action undermined by an inadequate script.
- Which films are like Best of the Best?
- Films with a similar feel include Rocky, The Karate Kid, Bloodsport, and Kickboxer.
- How long is Best of the Best?
- Best of the Best runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch Best of the Best?
- In United States, Best of the Best streams on Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel.
