Double Dragon Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two bros find glowy rocks, and suddenly Robert Patrick wants them REAL bad to become an invincible shadow dude because California is already dystopian enough.

🍿 Double Dragon: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to New Angeles and the Lee Brothers

The film is set in the year 2007 in a post-earthquake California, where Los Angeles and San Diego have merged to form ‘New Angeles.’ Street gangs rule the city after curfew. Brothers Billy and Jimmy Lee are skilled martial artists trained by their guardian, Satori, and protectors of a powerful, ancient Chinese talisman, the Double Dragon medallion, which is split in two.

Koga Shuko’s Pursuit

Koga Shuko, a millionaire crime boss, possesses the other half of the Double Dragon medallion. Knowing the medallion grants immense power when united, he seeks to acquire the Lee brothers’ half and become invincible. Shuko employs various tactics and utilizes the city’s numerous gangs to hunt down the brothers and steal their piece of the talisman.

The Quest to Unite the Medallion

Billy and Jimmy, along with their friend Marian Delario (leader of the ‘Power Corps,’ a vigilante group), must evade Shuko and his forces while learning to harness the power of their half of the Double Dragon medallion. Their goal is to protect the city and prevent Shuko from achieving ultimate power by uniting both halves of the talisman.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Koga Shuko (Robert Patrick): A ruthless millionaire and gang leader who seeks to acquire the complete Double Dragon medallion for ultimate power.
• Jimmy Lee (Mark Dacascos): One of the Lee brothers, a skilled martial artist who helps protect his half of the Double Dragon medallion.
• Billy Lee (Scott Wolf): The other Lee brother, a martial artist who works with his brother to keep the medallion out of the wrong hands.
• Marian Delario (Alyssa Milano): A resourceful and determined leader of a vigilante group fighting against the gangs in New Angeles.
• Satori Imada (Julia Nickson): The caretaker of one half of the Double Dragon medallion and the adoptive mother of Billy and Jimmy Lee.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Guisman: “You’re weak like your father.” – Guisman taunts Billy during a confrontation, highlighting Billy’s perceived inferiority.
• Billy Lee: “You’re ugly like your mother.” – Billy retorts to Guisman’s insult with a childish comeback.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $7,850,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,341,309
• Worldwide Gross: $2,341,309

💥 Double Dragon Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I’ll admit it: I watched Double Dragon as a kid and secretly loved it. Was it good? Absolutely not! But there’s something about the cheesy special effects, Robert Patrick hamming it up as the villain, and the over-the-top action that just made me smile. Seeing Alyssa Milano as a vigilante was also a plus. Rewatching it now, it’s definitely a guilty pleasure, but hey, sometimes you just need a dose of 90s camp!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of cheesy 90s action movies”
  • “Viewers looking for a nostalgic video game adaptation”
  • “Those who enjoy campy martial arts films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild action violence”
  • “Some cartoonish fight scenes”

Professional Reviews

• MovieBlips: “Double Dragon attempts a campy, over-the-top style but falls flat due to its juvenile humor and uninspired action sequences. Robert Patrick’s villain is cartoonish, and while there are glimpses of potential, the overall execution feels cheap and rushed, relying too heavily on dated special effects. Sadly, it ends up being a forgettable experience.
• RetroReplay: “As a video game adaptation, Double Dragon struggles to capture the spirit of the arcade classic. While it boasts some recognizable characters and a futuristic setting, the plot is convoluted and the fight choreography is underwhelming. It might offer a nostalgic kick for those who grew up with the game, but it’s unlikely to impress newcomers.

Audience Reactions

The film’s sheer absurdity and over-the-top characters provide unintentional comedic value.: Many find the film entertainingly bad and a source of nostalgic amusement.

Overall Consensus: Double Dragon is widely considered a poorly executed video game adaptation, although some find it enjoyable for its campy, over-the-top nature.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The boat chase was filmed on the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio. The explosion used 700 gallons of gasoline and 200 gallons of alcohol, causing panic among residents who called emergency services.”
• “Despite being set in ‘New Angeles’, California, an Ohio flag is visible in one scene.”

🖥️ How to Watch Double Dragon?

Double Dragon is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can also be found through online retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Double Dragon, you might like these similar films:

• Super Mario Bros. (1993): Another video game adaptation from the same era that took significant liberties with the source material, resulting in a campy and divisive film.
• Street Fighter (1994): A fighting game adaptation that, like Double Dragon, features over-the-top characters and a loose connection to the original game’s storyline.
• Big Trouble in Little China (1986): Features martial arts, supernatural elements, and a humorous tone, appealing to fans of action-comedy with a fantastical twist.

🛒 Double Dragon Related Products

• Double Dragon Neon (Nintendo Switch): A remastered version of the classic beat ’em up with a vibrant art style and hilarious dialogue. Includes new moves, characters, and cooperative gameplay. A perfect way to relive the Double Dragon experience with a modern twist.
• Double Dragon Trilogy (Mobile Game): A collection of the first three Double Dragon arcade games optimized for mobile devices. Features customizable controls and online multiplayer. Perfect for on-the-go beat ’em up action.
• Double Dragon T-Shirt: High-quality cotton t-shirt featuring classic Double Dragon arcade artwork. Show off your love for the iconic beat ’em up.
• Double Dragon & Kunio-kun Retro Brawler Bundle [PlayStation 4]: Two retro gaming franchises come together in one package for tons of brawling action. Hours of side scrolling fun!

🎧 Soundtrack

Double Dragon features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Remember” – performed by Coolio

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Double Dragon – Nostalgia Critic

Ever wonder just how bad the Double Dragon movie really is? The Nostalgia Critic dives deep into this ‘classic,’ and trust me, it’s a hilarious ride of why this movie bombed.

Awkward Double Dragon⁠

Ready for a quick laugh? Dorkly perfectly captures the awkwardness and glitches of the original Double Dragon in this hilarious short. It’s short and sweet, but totally nails the game’s quirks!

✨ Rate