9/26/2011

Twin Dragon Encounter (1986)

Twin Dragon Encounter (1986)-* * *1\2

Directed by: Paul Dunlop

Starring: Michael McNamara, Martin McNamara, and B.Bob











Now here’s a gem! Michael and Martin McNamara here play...Michael and Martin McNamara, two martial arts instructors on the mean streets of Canada. Tired of having to break up brawls in the park where middle-aged white men threaten to harm dogs if they’re not left alone, the two identical twins leave the big city for a week’s vacation on Twin Island, their own property in rural Pointe Au Baril, Canada. Once there, the men and their girlfriends have a grand old time swimming, boating, and avoiding bears by sleeping in a treehouse. We even get to see the twins’ prankster side. But there is a gang of “weekend warriors” trying to spoil their fun. A group called “The People’s Private Army”, led by the evil Jake (B.Bob, who else) is constantly terrorizing the couples. Eventually, the baddies kidnap the girls and the Twin Dragons must use every tool at their disposal and a fleet of vehicles hidden under leaves and twigs to rescue them. Will they be successful?

Yes, this is one of THOSE movies. You’ve heard of non-acting, now get prepared for non-directing as well. Sure, this is one notch above a home movie, but they got it released on Vidmark, and it presumably got distributed all over the world. You see, it’s not about budget or experienced actors and technicians, it’s about heart and soul. The McNamaras, and the project they built for themselves here, has that DIY spirit and they really achieved something here.

It should be noted that there is an on-screen crawl a la Star Wars to let us know we’re in for an epic experience (there’s also a brief post-movie crawl as well), and in it, among other claims, it is said that the McNamaras, and I quote, “know the meaning of life”. Far from being an exaggeration, and a weird one at that, the answer is clearly Billy Butt, the musician behind the oft-repeated tunes in this movie, “The Right to Fight” and “Faces”. These rockin’ and catchy songs, not to mention the artist’s name, must have some connection to the meaning of life.

The twins resemble Frank Zappa and have thick Canadian accents. They wear Karate outfits as daily wear, and there are many shots of their martial arts studio in Ontario, as well as their vans, emblazoned with the name, address and phone number of said studio.  Their fighting style is not bad at all, but most of the fight scenes have bizarre slow motion and wacky sound effects. Just check out the roadside diner fight, it’s really...one of a kind. 

The movie is 79 minutes long, and that includes 9 minutes of recap of what they felt were the best scenes, as well as some additional credits. That includes a credit letting us know the true independence of this movie. Kids could look up to the McNamaras, and surely in Canada, they do. The Vidmark box makes all kinds of hyperbolic claims about the classic status of this movie, and they seem to have pasted the heads of the two brothers on other people’s bodies.  But will this movie ever make it to DVD?

For a hilarious great time, check out martial arts Canada-style and Encounter this winner tonight!

Comeuppance Review by: Brett and Ty




23 comments:

Explosive Action said...

Haha nice one! I reviewed the sort-of sequel Dragon Hunt ages ago. I need to track this one down.

Ty said...

Thanks! We loved your review. We are trying to track Dragon Hunt down.

Ry said...

Yes! You got it! Anyway, I liked this one, but Dragon Hunt's the better film. While the film's good, it took a little too long to get going, but that's just me.

This, along with Dragon Hunt are available on DVD courtesy of the Twin Dragons themselves.

http://www.twin-dragon.com/announcements/twindragonsturn60

Ty said...

Happy you enjoyed it too. This was 79 minutes of silly fun!

We are going to purchase Dragon Hunt soon.

The Goodkind said...

This sounds amazing. I'm all over it.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Just. Wow. This sounds amazing.

Ty said...

The Goodkind: Looking forward to your take on it! The McNamara twins are goofier than two Van Dammes!

Videovacuum: Would be interested in your opinion! It is a fun mixture of ridiculous " jungle action" and silly rock anthems.

venom said...

Sounds like a blast! BTW, here's a link to a website you guys might like, they review alot of obscure and lesser known action, thriller and horror films.


http://critcononline.com/


The site owner also has an auction for lots of VHS and DVDs of the films he's reviewed in case anyone is interested.


http://www.wensy.com/search.asp?searchtxt=fadelman&searchtype=2

Ty said...

Thanks for the link, Venom! We appreciate it.

Critcononline is a great website! Love all the VHS company scans and reviews.

robotGEEK said...

Dude, I'm all over this one.
And I think they look like Chuck Norris on the cover. lol. Or is that just me?
Great review man!

Tod Slaughter said...

I've often wondered how much martial arts was going on in Canada. Now I know.

Ty said...

RobotGEEK: Thanks! Haha, We agree: they both look like Chuck Norris.

Dr. Blacksteed: We are happy your question was finally answered!

Anonymous said...

What are those stupid twins with their goofy chop-socky poses doing covering up the REAL twins on the cover art?

Sir Phobos said...

This sounds like one of those movies you have to keep in your library for those times when someone needs to believe in the power of cinema. Seriously.

What happened to Van Damme week/month? Get on that.

Ty said...

Matthew Conway: Haha, good question. I wonder who they are?

Sir Phobos: Haha, can't agree more! also: Van Damme month starts next monday.

Our Blog said...

Oh. My. God. I MUST see this! It looks epic! Great review man.

Ty said...

Thanks! We are definitely interested in your take on it. It is really goofy.

Copyboy said...

Cheech and Chong meet Bruce Lee.

Ty said...

Haha, that makes sense. It is also like a Candadian Deliverance meets Snake Eater.

M. Hufstader said...

"The twins resemble Frank Zappa and have thick Canadian accents."

HAHA! No words. This looks ridiculous and hilarious. But you can't call your movie "Twin Dragon Encounter" and expect anything else. Might have to get drunk and watch this at some point.

Ty said...

This movie is a ton of fun and goes well with all beer, wine and spirits!

Anonymous said...

I kept waiting for Godfrey Ho to jump out of the bushes and moon the camera.

Ty said...

Haha! That really should have happened!