The Last Kumite
| The Last Kumite | |
|---|---|
| The Last Kumite | |
| Directed by | Ross W. Clarkson |
| Written by | Ross W. Clarkson Sean David Lowe |
| Produced by | Sean David Lowe Wayne A. Graves |
| Starring | Mathis Landwehr Kurt McKinney Billy Blanks |
| Cinematography | Ross W. Clarkson |
| Edited by | Oliver Harper |
| Music by | Paul Hertzog Stan Bush |
Production companies | Loewe Media Capelight Pictures |
| Distributed by | Capelight Pictures MPI Media Group (USA) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 135 minutes |
| Countries | Germany United States |
| Language | English |
The Last Kumite is a Kickstarter-funded 2024 low-budget martial arts film directed by Ross W. Clarkson who was already known for shooting martial arts tournament films with Scott Adkins and Michael Jai White: Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006), Undisputed III: Redemption (2010) and Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016). [1] It is an homage to popular action movies of the last century and notable for its soundtrack from Paul Hertzog and Stan Bush, who had already been credited for the music of genre classic Bloodsport.
Plot[edit]
Michael Rivers (Mathis Landwehr) involuntarily gets the attention of Ron Hall (Matthias Hues) when he wins an official martial arts competition. Hall, a fictitious promoter and human trafficker who does his business mainly in Eastern Europe, invites him to compete for a million dollar prize in an underground tournament in Bulgaria. But Rivers has already decided to retire and declines the offer.
Hall doesn't take no for an answer because he needs to recruit interesting new challengers for his infamous underground champion Dracko (Mike Derudder) no matter what. Since money can`t buy Rivers, Hall turns to kidnapping Rivers' daughter Bree (Kira Kortenbach). Thus Rivers is forced to comply. On his arrival in Bulgaria he meets Damon Spears (Kurt McKinney) who has been blackmailed out of retirement in the same manner. They team up to save both of their daughters during the tournament.
Soon it shows why the promoter stops at nothing to find new paticipants for his tournament. Unbeaten champion Dracko is in the habit of crippling and killing defeated opponents. Master Loren (Billy Blanks), "Lightning" (Mike Möller) and Dracko's former Sensei Julie Jackson (Cynthia Rothrock) prepare Rivers for victory.
Production[edit]
In August 2023 Capelight pictures released a 4K UHD DVD version of Bloodsport which included a variety of features.[2] Bloodsport proved to be still popular. Subsequently Capelight re-invested some money in a Kickstarter project titled The Last Kumite, a genre piece in the making, "inspired by the likes of Bloodsport, Kickboxer and No Retreat No Surrender". [3]
Cast[edit]
True to the intention the cast of The Last Kumite includes several original actors from the mentioned movies. Among them is Kurt McKinney who back in 1986 was the actual star of No Retreat No Surrender, the first movie that presented Jean-Claude van Damme in a big role. The villain from No Retreat, No Surrender 2, Matthias Hues, returns as villain in The Last Kumite and finally plays the opponent of Kurt McKinney after all. Instead of Bolo Yeung (born 1946), who played against Jean-Claude van Damme in Bloodsport and a few years later (1993) against Matthias Hues in TC 2000, his son David Yeung is part of the ensemble. Cynthia Rothrock from No Retreat No Surrender2 and Billy Blanks from The King of the Kickboxers play pivotal small roles. Michel Qissi was one of the tournament fighters in Bloodsport and Jean-Claude van Damme's main opponent in Kickboxer. His brother Abdel Qissi was Jean-Claude van Damme's nemesis in Lionheart. [4] [5]
David Kurzhal, known as YouTuber "Viking Samurai", was chosen to represent the younger generation of actions stars. [6]
Soundtrack[edit]
Paul Hertzog composed the score and Stan Bush added songs. Paul Hertzog described their renewed cooperation "a bit of a nostalgic nod to Bloodsport and Kickboxer". [7] [8]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Last Kumite" | 0:29 |
| 2. | "Cemetery" | 2:01 |
| 3. | "New York Champion" | 0:56 |
| 4. | "We Have Bree" | 2:41 |
| 5. | "Gunshots" | 2:17 |
| 6. | "Dracko" | 1:05 |
| 7. | "A Futile Journey" | 1:34 |
| 8. | "Two Sad Stories" | 2:52 |
| 9. | "Begin Training" | 1:32 |
| 10. | "A Minor Disagreement" | 1:13 |
| 11. | "More Training" | 1:09 |
| 12. | "Dracko Pays a Visit" | 1:04 |
| 13. | "Dracko Pays Another Visit" | 1:06 |
| 14. | "Ultra Training" | 2:23 |
| 15. | "Dracko's Training Style" | 0:57 |
| 16. | "Dracko's Sensei" | 1:48 |
| 17. | "A Bloody Mess" | 1:26 |
| 18. | "Memories" | 1:12 |
| 19. | "Training with the Sensei" | 0:56 |
| 20. | "Welcome to the Kumite" | 0:56 |
| 21. | "Dracko Begins the Kumite" | 3:14 |
| 22. | "Fight Montage" | 4:20 |
| 23. | "Michael's First Fight" | 1:37 |
| 24. | "Haunted" | 0:53 |
| 25. | "Plan B" | 1:54 |
| 26. | "The Second Round" | 2:00 |
| 27. | "Lea vs. Damon" | 1:11 |
| 28. | "Michael's Second Fight" | 0:43 |
| 29. | "Wolf Follows Orders" | 1:25 |
| 30. | "Stitches" | 1:18 |
| 31. | "Dracko vs. Lea" | 1:19 |
| 32. | "Michael's Semifinal" | 1:29 |
| 33. | "Finals" | 5:49 |
| 34. | "Justice" | 4:22 |
| 35. | "Loren's Daughter" | 0:41 |
References[edit]
- ^ "Ross W. Clarkson Profile". FilmAffinity. 26 May 2024. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ Bona, JJ (4 July 2023). "Bloodsport SteelBook 4K UHD (Capelight Pictures)". cityonfire.com. Archived from the original on 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "First Teaser Trailer for Throwback Martial Arts Movie 'The Last Kumite'". firstshowing.net. 1 June 2024. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ Godfrey, Jake (13 December 2014). "The Last Kumite: Trailer released for martial arts legends film". filmstories.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "The Last Kumite". fareastfilms.com. 26 May 2024. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "The Last Kumite, 2024". thevikingsamurai.com. 3 June 2024. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "News". Paul Hertzog Homepage. 1 June 2024. Archived from the original on 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ ""No Surrender" Drops in May, 2024!". Stan Bush Homepage. 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.