Cynthia Rothrock Movies
The self-proclaimed Queen of Martial Arts Films and Kung-fu Video Queen, quick-fisted Cynthia Rothrock has been crushing skulls and thrilling international action fans since her high kicking debut in Yes, Madam in 1985. Her lightning speed and adrenalized bone-crushing rivals that of such well-known action stars as Steven Seagal and Chuck Norris -- only Rothrock can take down an army of baddies in three-inch heels.Born in Delaware in 1957, Rothrock gained appreciation for martial arts from an early age. At 13, she began taking lessons, and soon after was encouraged by parents and teachers to enter competitions to showcase her unique abilities. Soon earning her first black belt of at least five in varying disciplines, Rothrock would eventually earn a coveted spot in the Black Belt Hall of Fame and Kung-Fu Insider Hall of Fame. She began taking interest and developing skills in multiple disciplines, including Northern Shaolin (classical Chinese), Eagle Claw (Chinese), and Tang Soo Do (Korean) to name a few. Mastering various techniques and disciplines ultimately led Rothrock to becoming the undefeated World Karate Champion in both forms and weapons competitions from 1981 to 1985, and would eventually catch the attention of Hong Kong-based Golden Harvest Productions, who cast Rothrock opposite kung-fu queen Michelle Yeoh in Yes, Madam (1985). Though she had appeared in a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial in the early '80s, it was Madam that sent Rothrock's cinematic career into overdrive with Hong Kong audiences.
Attempting to broaden her appeal to action fans in her native country, Golden Harvest backed China O' Brien and China O' Brien II in 1990. Though her efforts failed to draw significant box-office returns in the U.S., Rothrock's more than 30 cinematic ventures proved to have a lucrative shelf life on the home video market. Working tirelessly with some of the most prolific actors and directors of varying genres (including the likes of Sammo Hung, Enter the Dragon director Robert Clouse, and John Schlesinger) Rothrock has released an average of three films a year since her introduction to international audiences in 1990. Throughout her cinematic career, Rothrock has continually appeared in some of the most prolific martial arts publications in the world, constantly promoting and reinforcing her image as a deadly beauty with a killer kick.
~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1985
- NR
Michelle Yeoh makes her starring role debut in this police drama\action spectacular, directed by Corey Yuen. The film opens with the fierce, relentless Inspector Ng (Yeoh) cleaning the clocks of a band of thieves. Meanwhile, vicious crime boss Tin (James Tien Chun) puts a hit out on his accountant after he tried to sell his boss out to the police. The accountant is killed but the incriminating piece of microfilm is swiped by two-bit thugs Aspirin (Mang Hoi) and Strepsil (John Sham Kin-fun). Ng gets wind of the murder when the dead man's passport shows up on a fleeing criminal. She tracks the document to forger Panadol (played by director Tsui Hark). Later, Chinese-speaking Scotland Yard detective Carrie Morris (Cynthia Rothrock, in her film debut) shows up and soon the two are tracking down Tin. This film spawned a series of sequels including A Serious Shock! Yes Madam! ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Rothrock, (more)
This slapstick Hong Kong action film follows the passengers of the Shanghai Express, a train running to the small village of Hanshui. Plenty of action takes place as the gallery of wealthy socialites, con men, cops, and train robbers speeds towards its destination. Directed by Sammo Hung, a master of comedic action and martial arts fight choreography, this film stars Hung, as well as a an all-star cast of Hong Kong favorites, including Yuen Biao, Rosamund Kwan, Richard Ng, and Cynthia Rothrock. Although many films in Hong Kong cinema are associated with low production values, Shanghai period pieces are often executed with a surprising level of consistency, and director Hung has succeeded in this genre on many occasions. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, (more)
Kung fu star and choreographer Corey Yuen spins this vigilante flick featuring Yuen Biao as Hsia Ling-ching, a court prosecutor who is sick of watching the criminal and the corrupt waltz away from justice. After knocking off well-connected drug pushers and underworld denizens, Hsia finds himself not only tailed by determined cop Cindy (played by American kung fu diva Cynthia Rothrock but also pursued by a number of hired guns contracted by crooked gumshoe Sergeant Wong (Melvin Wong. Soon Hsia is scaling building, battling baddies and clinging to helicopters. Roy Chiao Hung and Wu Ma also appear. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock, Yuen Biao, (more)
- 1986
Looking to cash in on the popularity of Steven Spielberg's mega-hits E.T. and Raiders of the Lost Ark, Hong Kong schlockmeister Wong Jing directs this yarn about Andy (Andy Lau Tak-wah) who, along with buddies Pin-pin (Siu bin-bin) and Pancho (Wong Jing) ventures to Greece to find his long lost friend Shen (Phillip Ko Fei). They soon discover Shen is being tailed both by the KGB and by Interpol after discovering some rare gems in an archeological dig. After a unkindly series of events, Andy winds up back in Hong Kong with the stones, which, it turns out, is not gems but rather an alien life form. Meanwhile Karov (Richard Norton), an evil magician, is hell bent on getting his hands on the gem/alien no matter what. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Andy Lau, Cynthia Rothrock, (more)
While staying in her hometown for a vacation, a martial-arts-trained police officer (Cynthia Rothrock) finds herself running for sheriff after her father (David Blackwell) is killed by a local crimepin (Steven Kerby). As the long arm of the law, China O'Brien avenges her father's death. The film was followed by a sequel. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock
- 1988
Hong Kong's answer to Hollywood's hoary Police Academy series, this film -- directed by Wellson Chin -- concerns the local police force's attempts at creating a crack all-female special unit force. Under the strict and watchful eye of Madam Hu (Sibelle Hu) and Madam Lo (Cynthia Rothrock), prospective candidates suffer through grueling training regimes and brutal physical conditioning. Meanwhile, the women has piqued the interest in their male counterparts, Tiger Squad, who train in an adjacent camp. Soon, the women are spending almost as much time getting romanced by the men as they are doing deep-knee bends. When the two squads are assigned to guard a fashion show where valuable jewelry is to be displayed. When the show is crashed by some kung-fu wielding thieves, the squad shows off what it learned. This film was a huge hit in Hong Kong, launch at least three sequels. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- 1989
- R
In this loose sequel to the earlier film No Retreat, No Surrender, young martial artist Scott (Loren Avedon) now living in Thailand, he has a Vietnamese girlfriend whose wealthy father would strongly disapprove of their liaison. When she is kidnapped after one of their dates, Scott seeks to rescue her. Enlisting the aid of his arms-dealing buddy Mac (Max Thayer) and pilot friend Terri (Cynthia Rothrock), he sets off into the jungles of Southeast Asia to confront the kidnappers. He confronts renegade Soviet front man Yuri (Matthias Hues), and the bad guys get their comeuppance in the usual scenes of martial arts mayhem, spiced with plenty of machine gun fire and explosions. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Loren Avedon, Max Thayer, (more)
- 1989
- R
The final chapter in the two-volume series finds sheriff China O'Brien (Cynthia Rothrock) still the bedrock lawperson of Beaver Creek. The small village is once again invaded, this time by a group of Vietnam-vet outlaws led by a drug-dealing madman (Harlow Marks). ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock
While she is best known for such American features as China O'Brien, martial-arts expert Cynthia Rothrock also made a number of action films in Hong Kong, such as this Golden Harvest production directed and choreographed by veteran actor Mang Hoi. Rothrock stars as Cindy, an American FBI agent who travels to Hong Kong to arrest a criminal newspaper editor, Ronny Dak (filmmaker Ronny Yu) who prints counterfeit money using the newspaper's presses (a dubious notion, but storyline is not the film's strong point). While investigating Dak's crimes, Cindy hooks up with her old friend Judy Yu (Elizabeth Lee), an undercover cop (Chin Siu-ho), and an intrepid journalist (director Mang Hoi) to battle his kung-fu henchmen. The fight scenes -- many occurring high in the air -- are quite impressive, although a long break in the production schedule resulted in a number of continuity errors. Roy Chiao co-stars with Keith Kwan, Wu Ma, and Billy Chow. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Piecing together exciting film footage of martial arts performances, Deadliest Art demonstrates the reasons for the popularity of martial arts combat in visual entertainment. The history of the art, including basics of the Eastern philosophies that govern it, provides insight along with the demonstration of various types of martial arts fighting. Touching on the skills and frame of mind necessary to perform feats of this kind, this film showcases the beauty of defense without weapons, as well as special techniques required to incorporate the use of weapons, and the ways in which the martial arts have been showcased in the film industry. ~ Sarah Sloboda, All Movie Guide
- 1990
- R
Martial Law is a no-brainer action flick starring Steven McQueen, the son of the late, great Steve McQueen. Buddy cop duo Sean Thompson and Billie Black are on the trail of a killer whose signature weapon is a punch that stops the heart. The bad guy, played by David Carradine, also runs a number of illicit businesses, including trafficking in drugs. Things get personal when Sean realizes his little brother has fallen under the killer's sway, and hot when Sean realizes the feisty Billie might be falling for him. The film runs a predictable course as the two close in on the killer, rescue the little brother, defeat the evil henchmen, and finally capture the bad guy. Its formulaic story aside, Martial Law is an interesting film for its blending of the early-'90s hysteria around serial killers with the equally prevalent hysteria around gangs and urban youth. ~ Brian Whitener, All Movie Guide
- 1991
- PG
This fast-paced caper/chase comedy, shot on location in Utah and Colorado, chronicles the daring exploits of a bank robber and his teenage-criminal-mastermind son. Exciting stunts and special effects help make up for the rather lame story. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Corey Haim, Cynthia Rothrock, (more)
- 1991
- R
The "female Bruce Lee" martial artist, Cynthia Rothrock, stars as a cop who is tired of doing detective work on theft and who tries her hand at solving a murder case so she will be assigned to the homicide division instead. To accomplish her goal, she must investigate the brutal killings of martial art masters in NYC. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jalal Merhi, Cynthia Rothrock, (more)
- 1991
- R
This martial-arts sequel follows the further adventures of LA cops Billie and Sean, two members of the department's urban-warfare martial arts unit, "Martial Law." The two team up again to look into the suspicious death of a fellow officer and discover a complex network of corruption and murder all centered around a posh nightclub. Female martial-arts champion Cynthia Rothrock plays Billie. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
In Rage and Honor, Cynthia Rothrock is featured as a full-time high-school teacher/part-time karate instructor who's out to protect one of her students who innocently witnesses and films a mob drug transaction. He's caught and beaten but keeps the film from the bad guys. Finding and helping him is an Australian foreign-exchange cop who also gets involved in the fracas when he's set up for a murder by some cop cohorts who've gone bad. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton, (more)
- 1992
An angry widow dons her ninja gear and takes off for revenge against the gangster who killed her husband in this lively martial arts actioner that revels in its deliberately, deliciously awful tongue-in-cheek dialog that takes a sharp poke at the genre. While the black widow kicks and chops her way to vengeance against the evil villain "White Powder's" gang, police officers Lee Ann Jackson and Lester McQueen stalk her while simultaneously trying to clean up the other trash that litters the streets of their city. In the explosive final conclusion, White Powder meets Mr. Big in the ubiquitous empty warehouse to finalize a major drug deal. Unbeknownst to either of them, the ninja-girl got there first and planted a little surprise for them. In the end, the two crooks get their just desserts, the cops get demoted, and the widow flees to Mexico. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Lau Kar-wing directs this affable low-budget action-comedy. The film centers on Kent Tong (Kenneth Tong Chun-yo), a convict on the lam and in possession of some fantastically valuable microfilm wanted by not only FBI agent Cindy (Cynthia Rothrock), but also thugs posing as FBI agents named Ken (Ken Godman) and Macquarton (Mark Houghton), and a pair of incompetent Hong Kong cops, Ching Shing (Miu Kiu-wai) and Tai Kau (Shing Fui-on). In the midst of all this, Ching falls in love with the fugitive's beautiful sister, May (Suki Kwan Sau-mei), while Cindy falls for Tai Kau. Later, martial master Michiko (Michiko Nishiwaki), which sets the stage for a kung-fu smack down between her and Cindy. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- 1992
- R
Action heroine Cynthia Rothrock stars as FBI agent Tracey Pride, who teams with her sister Joyce (Donna Joyce), an Interpol operative posing as a TV newswoman, to take down an evil executive (John Miller) with plans to buy a nuclear detonator. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock
- 1992
- R
Martial arts expert Cynthia Rothrock stars as a widow who learns karate in order to gain revenge on the crime boss (Richard Norton) who killed her husband. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1993
The beautiful Cynthia Rothrock is one of the foremost female martial-arts experts in films, and that's all that is required in Angel of Fury. This time, Rothrock is sent to rescue a "brain." Said brain is housed in a super-computer, jealously guarded by enemy agents. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock, Chris Barnes, (more)
- 1993
- R
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In this second Rage and Honor release, Cynthia Rothrock again stars as a high-kicking female CIA agent. She's sent to far-away Indonesia to reveal a money-laundering scheme. She just happens to run into her Australian cop-friend from the first Rage and Honor movie, Preston Michaels (Richard Norton), who has fled the crime-infected LAPD and is working as a bartender. Together they're up against a bunch of killer diamond racketeers. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton, (more)
- 1993
- R
Statuesque martial arts doyenne Cynthia Rothrock stars in Undefeatable. As in most of her films, Rothrock's principal motivation is revenge. When her sister is murdered by a serial killer, she lays a trap for the villain. Unfortunately, the killer is also well-versed in martial arts. This Undefeatable should not be confused with the 1994 adventure flick of the same name starring Stan Kang. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock, Don Niam, (more)
- 1993
- R
Cynthia Rothrock again stars in the title role, playing a woman who uses her martial arts mastery for vengeance on the thugs who terrorized her home. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
