Known as Hokuto no Ken in Japan, and among French fans as Ken, le Survivant, Fist of the North Star is undeniably a legend in the annals of anime and manga. Essentially the result of meshing Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior with a Bruce Lee film and a ton of extra testosterone, the post-apocalyptic exploits of Kenshiro have been the subject of many shows, OVAs, and video games over the decades. While many of these adaptations are generally decent, if not classics in their own right, the 1995 live-action American movie of the same name is an exception, in all the wrong ways.
Directed by Tony Randel, a filmmaker with an at-best sketchy track record, and distributed by independent firm Overseas Filmgroup, this direct-to-video piece (though it had received a theatrical release in Japan) has since gone down in infamy among fans as not only one of the worst Western takes of Japanese media to come out of the 1990s, but also the lowest-rated adaptations of the source material ever. Yet somehow, echoing the infamously “so bad, it’s good” schlock that’s Riki Oh: The Story of Ricky (1991), there’s a peculiar charm to the ensuing trainwreck that almost makes up for its myriad blunders, albeit not as successfully.
The trailer’s attempts to entice viewers with dramatic flair and action only succeeded in spotlighting the dubious casting decisions and laughable special effects. Circa 1995. (Source: YouTube)
With a run-time of 103 minutes, finding that charm can take effort. Once its loveable quirks show up, however, it makes viewing this movie more tolerable.
The Schlock Warrior
Loosely adapting the source material’s initial story arcs, the film is set in the desolate wastelands of the year 20XX, after a nuclear apocalypse had wiped out civilization. The Southern Cross martial arts school seeks to forge a new empire over the lawlessness, under the tyrannical rule of Lord Shin (Costas Mandylor). Standing against him is the Kenshiro (Gary Daniels), he with seven scars and last heir to the dangerous martial art known as Hokuto Shinken: the Fist of the North Star. Together with the blind Lynn (Nalona Herron) and the plucky Bat (Dante Basco), he sets off on a quest to not only bring justice to the downtrodden but also search for his beloved Julia (Isako Washio).
That aforementioned “loosely adapting” of the source material isn’t hyperbole. While the broad strokes are in line with the manga and anime, even a complete newcomer would find something off about Shin killing the elderly Master Ryuken (Malcolm McDowell) via revolver early on. The plot itself, meanwhile, manages to both come across like a simplistic Cliff Notes summary of the early plotlines and is incredibly dragging at times, spending too long with filler and slow-motion shots. Tellingly, it’s not until well past the 15-minute mark that you actually get to see the hero in action. Though even then, the carnage is rather tame and dull, and it doesn’t get much better from here on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUVukUuF9tw
The only time in the film when Kenshiro actually makes copious uses of Hokuto Shinken also demonstrates much of what’s wrong with this film, from the overacting to the downplayed bloodshed and second-rate sets. (Source: YouTube)
Indeed, what really stands out in this rendition of Fist of the North Star is how underwhelming the presentation is. From the nigh-featureless opening credits to the dingy industrial sets, just about everything screams low budget, while the outfits worn by many of the characters are more befitting hobos and wannabe-bikers than The Road Warrior. Neither do the bland, forgettable soundtrack, cheap greenscreens used for some of the backdrops and mystic auras, nor the wildly inconsistent gore really succeed in conveying the visceral action of the manga and anime.
Even setting aside the questionable casting decisions — be it roping in the likes of Malcolm McDowell or how almost no one looks at all Japanese or even Asian, despite them all retaining the same names from the source material — the quality of the overall acting can vary considerably. One moment, it could be dull, if not stilted line delivery, while another scene could be so hammy that it’s like watching a Saturday Morning Cartoon from the era. Even taking into account further executive meddling to tone down the violence for the Western release, the results can make you wonder just what was Randel thinking in trying to bring Kenshiro’s adventures to American audiences.
For all the inept schlock on display, however, the film isn’t entirely worthless. Remarkably, there are a few aspects that lend a particular charm to the experience.
Silver Linings
Despite the sub-par acting, there are notable exceptions that make the Fist of the North Star movie vaguely interesting. Daniels’ performance is certainly a high point, with his charisma and macho build befitting someone like Kenshiro. If a 2014 interview is anything to go by, he not only seemed to be one of the only people who enjoyed their time on set, but also considered the role a breakout moment for his career. Which is to say nothing of a young Basco clearly giving his all to make Bat likable and lively, foreshadowing his later, successful career as a voice actor and celebrity. Given a better script, perhaps they could have handily carried the movie, even with its many shortcomings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixwXps-UGSM
Remarkably, a Japanese dub of the live-action movie is known to exist, featuring the voice cast from the original anime. Which, coincidentally, can make the same scenes feel a bit more authentic. (Source: YouTube)
Then, there are the fight scenes themselves, helped in part by the lead’s background as both a seasoned actor and legitimate fighter. In spite of the spotty camerawork, often-dull lighting, and the bouts of hamminess, the otherwise decent choreography still shines through, with the main character evidently doing at least some of his own stunts. As a showcase of martial arts in isolation, you couldn’t really go wrong with the expertise on display. With the dearth of exploding limbs, seeming scarcity in the actual use of Hokuto Shinken, and the absence of the iconic, Bruce Lee-esque kiais, however, they don’t really do justice to the source material.
While Daniels and Basco would go on to forge their own successful destinies in Hollywood, the live-action movie itself quickly languished in obscurity. On top of fans savaging the work for its myriad failures, mainstream reviewers at the time didn’t even bother to give it the time of day. It wasn’t until the dawn of the new century, however, with the proliferation of both DVDs and online commentary, that it began getting attention from a wider audience, with predictable results.
Though the mockery and schlock value aren’t likely to fade away anytime soon, especially with copies of it readily available online, its peculiar charm and occasionally strong performances almost make this weird rendition of Fist of the North Star worth sitting through.
At least it’s not Dragonball: Evolution (2009).
