China O'Brien

Love the movie and a good movie to watch to show respect to the late Richard Norton

As pure entertainment, one can laugh and be excited through the martial art sequences. The acting is, of course, horrendous, but that's expected. Overall, an excellent way to be entertained!

Cynthia Rothrock is China O'Brien, an LAPD martial arts instructor who resigns from the police after killing a kid. She goes home where her dad is the local sheriff. Dad gets killed and she runs for sheriif. Then it is all mindless fighting. The fight scenes are awful. China beats fat trailer trash who sail backwards every time she flicks out a kick. This is a so bad it is good kind of a movie. You just laugh through it. You know: Hey why is that guy speaking in an Australian accent all of a sudden? Sure a three hundred pound guy is going to sail 10 feet from Cynthia's kick.

This is a movie close to my heart! I first watched it on VHS and extremely glad to now have it in DVD. If only I could get the sequel to buy as well. On a related note, I have tried without success to place my order for the trilogy of TRINITY IS MY NAME by Bud Spencer.

"China O'Brien" belongs to an era of action movies that never saw the inside of a movie theater, but not for a lack of effort. As the first real American vehicle of former Hong Kong action queen Cynthia Rothrock, "China O'Brien" appeals to the lovers of blondes, kung fu, and macho feminism expressed by having the unassuming leading lady beat the snot out of every redneck and gangbanger she comes across. On one level, it's a cheesy low-budget fight flick that's going to draw boos from folks who worship The Matrix , but on another level (this is the one I'm on, by the way), it's among the better flicks directed by Robert Clouse during his dismal post- Enter the Dragon career and one of the best all-around films starring Cynthia after she waved goodbye to Asia. The story: after shooting a man in the alleyways of a big city, China O'Brien (Rothrock, Above the Law ) pledges to give up her career as a policewoman and returns to her rural hometown to spend time with her father, the sheriff...only to find her former home struggling against the clutches of well-funded organized crime. When her father is murdered for his interference in the circuit's schemes, China defies the criminals by running for his vacated position to clean up the town - something she can only hope to achieve with the aid of her old crush (Richard Norton, Mr. Nice Guy ), a mysterious biker (Keith Cooke, Mortal Kombat ), and the support of the townspeople. Let me start by pointing out that this ensemble is probably among one of the most unique and exciting martial arts trios ever gathered for a film. Rothrock, of course, is the Hong Kong veteran with the tutelage of the world's top cine-fu stars under her belt, but she's matched by the super-talented Australian Norton, who's fought just about every big-name star in martial arts, and the enigmatic Keith Cooke, an underrated fighter both on and off the screen who spent his most famous roles wearing masks. These three are given carte blanche to show off, with some very neat and fast-paced hand-to-hand battles. Granted, of the five fights in the film, at least two are kind of absurd, with nonstop attempts to prove China superior to her masculine foes resulting in some choreography that very obviously isn't applicable in real life, and at least one occasion where Richard Norton's lightning-quick blows visibly fail to connect with their target. On the whole, though, the originality and effort put into the fight choreography shine through, and provide definite thrills to viewers not jaded by wire-fu. As a dramatic piece, however, the film is in a bit of trouble. The acting's fine as far as DTV films go (considering that most of the supporting cast had never before been in a movie), but the heaping melodrama, feel-good hamminess, and vast coincidental nature of the storyline will put "China" at odds with snooty critics. As basically a heavy-handed take on Walking Tall , the film offers much cause for righteous indignation but next to no character development or plot twists beyond the expected. The production values are obviously limited by budget, but director Clouse manages his resources well, particularly in making the town and its inhabitants seem believable. More surprisingly, he manages to make a half-statement regarding the difference between what a woman *can* be and what society *wants* her to be without any speeches or flag-waving: Rothrock lets her actions speak louder than words, and Clouse channels these to the point that the movie could double as recruiting drive to encourage women to study self-defense. If you're new to the exploits of Cynthia, check out her Hong Kong pictures first, but come back to this one as the second course. Richard Norton fans looking to see him not playing a villain for once should also give this a buy. Those wanting to see some awesome three-way kicks, pick it up for Keith Cooke's martial performance. Action fans in general should assess their priorities, and those favoring pure heart and talent over big names and budgets ought to give this a watch, too, and not wait long about it!

I couldn't watch the movie because it was in German instead of English.

Got what I wanted and DVD was in great shape. Been looking for China O'Brien for sometime.thanks

I saw this movie a long time ago and liked it, Cynthia Rothrock sure knows her martial arts moves. very entertaining.

China O'Brian ist ist bei der Polizei, doch als sie ihre Schußwaffe gebrauchen muß um ihren Partner zu retten. Doch als sie feststellt daß es noch ein Kind war den sie erschossen hat. Hängt sie den Job an den Nagel und geht zurück in ihren Heimatort wo ihr Vater Sheriff ist. Doch als dieser erschossen wird, läßt sie sich als Sheriff aufstellen - Gewinnt die Wahl zum Sheriff, und räumt sie gewaltig auf, doch dazu braucht sie keine Waffe. Denn die ist sie selbst durch ihre Kampfkunst.

Sehr zufrieden

Dieser Martial Arts Film gehört in jede Sammlung wenn mann was für dieses Genre übrig hat. Cynthia Rothrock - Richard Norton - Keith Cooke alias Reptile aus Mortal Kombat sind ideal Besetzt. Der Film wird nie langweilig , Action von Anfang bis zum Ende. Ich hoffe nur das China O Brian 2 auch auf DVD veröffentlicht wird. Die Story ist auch sehr Gut. Das grösste Manko bei diesem Film ist die Bildqualität. Das Bild wirkt verschwommen, aber wer damit leben kann sollte ihn sich Kaufen.

Good DVD of a film

Das Traumpaar der Kampfsports Chynthia Rothrock & Richard Norton in einem ihrer besten Filme. Zur Story schreibe ich mal nichts mehr. Die Kampfszenen sind perfekt und daher kommt die Action hier auch nicht zu kurz. Bild in 4:3 und Ton in DD 2.0 Laufzeit ohne Abspann 1.23.41.min. und mit 1.26.05.min. FSK 18 Bonus: Trailers Auf dem Cover steht Uncut und das stimmt.Meine alte Videothekenfassung geht genauso lange. Also wer sein Video in Rente schicken will,sollte hier zuschlagen. Und nun hoffen wir mal das auch China O'Brian II rauskommt.