If you are nostalgic for the spirit of the 1980s thanks to the success of the Netflix series COBRA KAI, then be prepared for the virtuous, if a little achy, trio of THE PAPER TIGERS.
A trio of washed-up Kung Fu experts (Alain Uy, Ron Yuan and Mykel Shannon Jenkins) are probably as much a trio of drips that you will expect to find in the grand scheme of later life. One of them is not doing so well as a beleaguered father, whilst the other two are not exactly in the same league as anything or anyone.
However, it takes the funeral of their Master to bring them all back together. A trio of energetic youth selfie-obsessed amateur kids take a selfie with their master at the funeral, prompting a determination to show them whose the daddy or three. The death of their master is revealed to be more than a natural one – and they have to rediscover their chi to tie things up and perhaps reveal their true spirits as the years advance….
THE PAPER TIGERS probably has as much in common with ROCKY BALBOA as COBRA KAI and THE KARATE KID in terms of the trio of lead protagonists trying to kick higher than they ever could when they were in their prime and gain respect from one last honourable fight. It’s predictable on occasion, but the Martial Arts genre always has room for one more story of sentiment amidst the honour.
The fight sequences are carried with energy and enthusiasm, thanks in part to the terrific athleticism and chemistry of the leads who can still show the younger generation a trick or two. Writer-director Quoc Bao Tran knows his genre and subject with effectiveness and I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a sequel or two in the mix in the not-too-distant future.
