Gymkata (1985)

[Chopper]

after years of finally hearing about this film i got a membership at a local ma & pa video store that carries it and decided to make the bold dive.

plot: America is fighting some third world, Eastern/Eastern-European/Middle-Eastern country (the ethnicity is never really clarified) for some "star-war technological satellite."  so instead of hiring some spies or special forces teams to go in, the CIA recruits a gold gymnast (Kurt Thomas--who was a real gymnast i believe) to go in and kick some butt with his special combination of Karate & gymnastics!!

so the whole film is just a set-up for Kurt's character to run around, do whacky flips, jump off of buildings, kick people in the face, and dodge ninjas, in what is called the deadly "game" run by the 3rd world ring leader Khan. all for this "space war" which is never seen or mentioned again but which is obviously just a device to have an excuse for the rest of the plot.

for those of you out there who are martial arts buffs this film was directed by Robert Clouse, who also did Enter the Dragon, so this film was quite a suprise.  you have to see it to believe it: it's as bad as people say it is.  1 turkey out of 5, wew!

more info: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089243/

http://www.thoughtviper.com/tricklobster/gymkata.htm

http://www.joebobbriggs.com/bmovieguide/g/gymkata.html

"in the underground: integrity lies within." -Sick of it All

[AndyC]

Saw this at B-fest in 2002. Absolutely incredible. Loved the crazy town, where the guy just lops his own hand off for no reason at all.



Post Edited (12-16-04 09:31)

[trekgeezer]

I remember seeing the tv ads for this back when it was released in theaters. I smelled the stench then.

I have a question. I read Joe Bob's review and in the stats it had Pig licking  included. What's up with that?

[Brother Ragnarok]

What he said.  Gymkata!

[Chopper]

haha! i have no idea, i read Joe Bob's interview before i saw it and didn't seen any scene like that. maybe he got some special uncut version??

[BoyScoutKevin]

Yes, Kurt Thomas was a gymnast, and quite a good one, too. Winning gold medals at the 1978 and 1979 World Championships. This was not his only film appearance. Last year, he appeared in "Slam."

[Chopper]

the same Slam that's about urban poetry and has Saul Williams?

[Master Blaster]

Apparently this one in 2003. Some Spanish comedy or something?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374225/