You Probably Forgot Harold Perrineau's Favorite Action Movie | Sorry Not Sorry
Some movies never really leave you. You might forget parts of the plot or mix up a few character names over the years, but specific scenes take up a permanent space in your mind anyway. Other times, it's just the way that movie made you feel the first time you watched it. That seems to be the case for From star Harold Perrineau.
Speaking to JustWatch, while promoting Season 4 of the 2022 sci-fi series, Perrineau happily revealed which movie he'd defend no matter what. And the actor began with a description of the actor who made the biggest impression on him. "Eric Roberts was the coach of a karate team that was going to the Olympics [in a movie] called Best of the Best. Bro, I love that movie," he explained.
"I'm not sorry. I love that movie," Perrineau excitedly continued. "Like Eric Roberts coming in there with that weird… the way he talks. And I can't remember the actor's name right now. But I know that his dad used to teach karate in Washington, D.C. And there's his son on the big screen. And like, I love everything about that movie."
It's hard not to become curious about the 1989 film after Perrineau's enthusiastic hype up. Best of the Best follows a team of American martial artists selected to represent their country in an international taekwondo tournament against South Korea. They all arrive for the contest with different personalities and different reasons for wanting to win.
Underdog Stories Never Really Go Out Of Style
Like a lot of sports movies from the '80s, the tournament in Best of the Best is only part of the story. Just as much time is spent getting to know the contestants before they ever step onto the mat. Friendships develop, rivalries get resolved, and personal struggles come into focus. By the time the championship begins, you're invested in much more than who wins the final match.
Although the movie failed to impress critics, it spawned several sequels and, like most underdog movies, remains a fan favorite. This specific genre of films has always been popular because there's something satisfying about watching ordinary people prove that hard work can sometimes close the gap between talent and determination.
Most of us will never compete on an international stage. But almost everyone knows what being underestimated feels like. Everyone has moments where we question ourselves, wonder if we're good enough, or have to soldier on even when things aren't working out. That's probably why people connect with these stories so easily.
The setting changes from movie to movie, but the feeling doesn't. Psychologists have even found that people gravitate toward underdogs because they represent perseverance, hope, and resilience in the face of tough circumstances. Additional research also suggests we're more likely to root for someone at a disadvantage because watching their eventual success feels more rewarding.
Why To Watch 'Best Of The Best' (And What To Watch After)
What Best of the Best does really well is make you care about the people participating in the competition. Every member of the team has an obstacle to overcome before the tournament even begins, which adds a good dose of emotion to the story. The fight scenes are still entertaining, but they're not the only reason to keep watching.
If underdog stories are your thing, the next movie to check out would be The Karate Kid (1984). The film follows teenager Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), who struggles to fit into his new California home after becoming the target of local bully Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). Everything changes when his seemingly timid maintenance man, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), agrees to teach him karate.
Mr. Miyagi's methods seem unusual at first but eventually become life lessons as much as fighting techniques. Away from the karate, the movie is also a coming-of-age story about confidence, discipline, and learning that real strength has very little to do with throwing punches. Much like Best of the Best, the victories feel earned because the movie spends time developing its characters.
Once you've finished The Karate Kid (and its sequels), the 2018 series, Cobra Kai, is a must. Set more than 30 years after the original film, the story catches up with Daniel and Johnny, whose old rivalry resurfaces through a new generation of karate students. Cobra Kai also expands the story by showing how both men have changed, often blurring the line between hero and villain in surprisingly thoughtful ways.
