After two installments with Eric Roberts as his best friend/cohort, martial artist Phillip Rhee goes solo with this third installment of the famous action film series, as well as making his directorial debut.
The small town of Liberty, Mississippi has been terrorized by the Aryan Nation, led by the insane Donnie Hanson (Mark Rolston), who kidnaps an African-American preacher and kills him for the pleasure of his gang. Meanwhile, martial arts expert Tommy Lee (Rhee) is traveling to the same town to visit his sister Karen (Cristina Lawson), married to the town sheriff Jack (Christopher McDonald). Tommy’s sister and brother-in-law take in the son of the aforementioned preacher because of what has happened.
It is not long before Tommy begins to feel the racial prejudice that has plagued this small town. He gets confronted with taking on the goons at a nearby general store and at a carnival. However, as he fights, he somewhat begins to feel conflict not only within his surroundings, but within himself as well. Meanwhile, he finds love in the form of Karen’s friend Margo (Gina Gershon), a teacher who stands her ground against the Aryans, thus making her a target as well. When Karen is assaulted by the thugs, Jack, Tommy, and Margo decide to stand their ground and put an end to the hatred that has spread in Liberty.
Phillip Rhee, who has produced the first two installments, also makes his directorial debut here and does a pretty good job here. Perhaps working with the likes of Robert Radler, the director of the first two films, must have given him some influence because the film’s pacing is somewhat reminiscent of one of the previous two films. However, this time around, Eric Roberts is absent and Rhee goes solo. Returning to his now trademark role of martial arts expert Tommy Lee, we get to learn some things about him throughout the film in relation to the first two films. We learn that Tommy still lives in Las Vegas. However, he no longer teaches martial arts because of his actions from the second film has given him a sense of not only loneliness, but feels he has burdened himself.
Surrounding himself with a brand new support that includes veteran actor Christopher McDonald (GREASE 2, HAPPY GILMORE) as his brother-in-law sheriff, Cristina Lawson (BLOODFIGHT) as his sister, and Gina Gershon (SHOWGIRLS) as the future love interest, Rhee manages on his own very well without the aid of Eric Roberts. Yet at the same time, the appearance of Eric Roberts brought a sense of brotherhood between the lead characters of the first two films, Tommy and Alex. However, it is unclear how the events affected their friendship and perhaps there was a possibility that Alex is still around somewhat, but we will never know.
The film’s central theme is somewhat all too familiar not only in films, but in real life as well. That would be the theme of racial prejudice. While in real life, hate crimes are still existing, one can’t help be somewhat impressed by the action not only Tommy takes to fight the racist gang. The theme of racial prejudice in martial arts films have been done numerous times, notably in the classic kung fu film rivalry of Chinese kung fu against Japanese karate. In 1988, the ultra low budgeted NINJA VENGEANCE featured a martial artist protecting an African-American man against the Ku Klux Klan in small town America. However, comparing NINJA VENGEANCE to this film is pretty much no comparison as this film stands out better.
Not only does Rhee’s Tommy take action against the prejudice, but love interest Margo does as well, even going as far as denouncing it at a public meeting where a piece of land was nearly bought for the creation of the Aryan Church. Veteran R. Lee Ermey (FULL METAL JACKET) plays the leader/minister of the Aryan Nation, but it is subordinate Donnie Hanson who does all the action. Mark Rolston (RUSH HOUR) plays Hanson likes a typical on-screen “redneck” who will do anything to spread his hate around along with his cohorts.
What stands out and is a very important subplot theme involves a young man, Owen, played by Peter Simmons. Owen seems somewhat empowered when he joins the Aryan Nation. However, his subconscious begins to make him feel somewhat conflicted about what is right and what is wrong. It also doesn’t help that he gets a smackdown by Tommy at a local carnival, where Tommy volunteers at the dunk tank dressed as a clown.
As with the previous installments, Phillip Rhee’s older brother Simon Rhee returns as the film’s stunt co-ordinator and fight choreographer. Simon takes advantage of his brother’s skills in tae kwon do and hapkido while taking on some veteran stuntmen such as Cole McKay and Kane Hodder, who appear as members of the Aryan Nation. While the carnival fight has the hard edged action, it also provides a sense of comic relief as Tommy is fighting while wearing the big clown shoes and costume, thus bringing some lightheartedness to an otherwise serious action film.
BEST OF THE BEST 3: NO TURNING BACK may seem somewhat different from its previous installments. However, Phillip Rhee proves himself to be quite the director and having the ability to go solo without Eric Roberts in an action with a message involving something people go through every day. This is a worthy installment in the series.
by Albert ValentinRelated Topics:
Best of the Best 3: No Turning Back • hapkido • Phillip Rhee • racial prejudice • Simon Rhee • small town • taekwondo
- jinkazama
