Miami
Connection (1987)
Review by Jude
Felton
Miami
Connection is the latest film to hit from Drafthouse Films, and it is without a
doubt the most thought-provoking, deep and understated movie that I have had
the pleasure to watch in recent years. Yeah, right! It is from Drafthouse
Films, and it is a pleasure to watch, but the rest was an absolute crock; Miami
Connection is batshit mental, chicken Oriental and an absolute blast! I’ve seen
some crazy flicks this year, but this one has just leapt to the top of the
basket-weaving brigade.
This lost
film from 1987 is directed by the multi-tasking Y.K. Kim; an inspirational
speaker, author, philosopher and fighter, who also stars in it, and follows the
exploits of the kick-ass band Dragon Sound. They’ve been offered the gig at a
local club in Miami, much to the displeasure of the former house band. Cue much
fighting, biker gangs, Ninjas and drugs dealers, as they all try to dispose of
Dragon Sound. Never fear though, this band have their hit song Against the
Ninja in their arsenal, and they are not afraid to use it! Told you it was
batshit mental.
In all
seriousness, Miami Connection should not work, it just shouldn’t. There’s so
much going on, some totally dodgy acting (including some outrageous dialogue),
the most inept looking Ninjas I have ever seen, and some fight sequences that
look to be choreographed by a stick. This should not work. But by the powers of
Odin it does, and in spades. Miami Connection is an absolute riot of laughter
and over-the-top action.
You get
mullets, crazy 80s taches, bikes, horrible fist-pumping, talk of a world tour
that takes in Ireland, Israel and Korea and cool, cool tunes. In fact this
review, nor any other reviews that will be written about this film, will ever
do it justice. Ever.
There are
films that are serious in tone, in fact they demand a serious approach when
watching them, but this is definitely not one of those films. It’s just a flat-out
fun movie that wants you to laugh along with it. An example of the crazy dialogue
that I mentioned earlier; “He’s my friend” to which the reply is “Friend??” and
a swift punch to the face. Genius.
Now, Miami
Connection is not going to float everyone’s boat, of that I am sure, but these
folk already have their tickets to the loony bin stamped, ready for acceptance.
This is a film for fans of the 80s and all the ridiculous elements that made
some of them so much fun. It’s Commando, Enter the Ninja and Purple Rain, all
thrown in a blender and then dubbed by Jackie Chan’s non-English speaking
cousin.
Maybe I am
overselling the film, but I don’t give a good shit; I laughed all the way
through it and was glad of the relief in contrast to some of the more intense
films that have surfaced of late. Miami Connection is due to hit theaters, and
I just bet that this will be the best place to see it; a big crowd, a big
screen and a ton of laughs. Get to it!
Miami Connection hits theaters on November 2nd, with a VOD and Digital release on December 12th. For a full list of theaters screening Miami Connection, and all other Drafthouse Films, check out this link: http://drafthousefilms.com/now-playing
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