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
- 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
- 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
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
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)
- 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)
