MIAMI CONNECTION (1987)

MIAMI CONNECTION (1987)

Tagline:  Survival the ultimate test...

(Action, Crime, 80s-Cheese) [R]

We could write another taekwondo song, and after Tom does one of his guitar solos, we could all break boards. Jack could do a drum solo. How 'bout it, Jack?

Oh man, in this thing there is a group of motorcycle riding ninja’s that are taking over the Miami drug trade. They are so serious about it, they will cut off your arm, stab you, punch you in the face, whatever it takes. Meanwhile, there is a local band called "Dragon Sound" that is caught up in the mix of everything because one of the bandmates is dating the sister of a drug runner. There are also endless legions of thugs, bikers, and random dudes that seem to feel like taking on the band. Dragon Sound also happens to know a lot of martial arts and likes to sing about friendship and being against ninjas at night. So you know, they are super formidable and strike fear into everyone. Can "Dragon Sound" break up the Miami connection?

First off, do not go into this movie expecting any kind of quality at all. Evidently, the budget department couldn’t even afford to get everyone in the cast a shirt. Just tons of dudes in this movie seem to just not even be worried about shirts. Others don’t care about sleeves. What few special effects there are, I guess are okay, but there really is a pretty non-existent budget going on here. The lighting, sound effects, and cinematography is horrifying bad. The movie is disjointed and has a plot that in no way seems well developed, or even developed at all. Y.K. Kim is the main actor “Mark” and the director of the movie. Apparently, he was so popular in Florida when the movie came out that the production team didn’t have permits to shoot the movie and most of the actors were students from his martial arts classes. All this means the acting is laughably bad…I mean, bust out laughingly bad. 

If you are looking for a totally nuts movie on a Saturday afternoon, you have come to the right place. If you are looking for a coherent plot, great fight sequences, or realistic anything, run far away, this damn thing is not for you. This movie I think got its cult following likely due to a “so bad its good scenario”, but for me, this is a one-time watch. I understand how it’s a cult favorite, but this thing just tries too much to be serious when it could have embraced a more campy or even comedic approach. 

One thing I would have actually liked to see in this movie is more of the band playing. Their songs are oddly catchy and the fact that we get so few is a miss for this film. The movie often comes up on so bad it’s good, or hidden gems movie lists, but I can’t recommend buying it. I can recommend watching it at least once if for no other reason than to get a glimpse of true 80’s cheese at its near worst and best all in the same movie. I am also pretty sure this should convince you that anyone can make a movie if you have enough goofy friends, a digital camera, and tempera paint.  

I give this movie a 3 out of 7 for taking chances and doing something different, but wish they had taken a more whimsical approach. 

GRAPHICS ARE THE PROPERTY OF P.J.K. GROUP AND ARE USED FOR REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY. 

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