Gymkata (1985)

Very disappointing...

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The idea of combining gymnastics and martial arts is the basis for this movie. The hero Jonathan Cabot is played by Olympic gold medalist Kurt Thomas. While the credits roll we see Thomas swinging from the high bar exhibiting the muscular control that made him a champion. With "boy next door" good looks (still only in his 20s when this movie was made,) and a chiseled physique, he's perfect to play a young athlete chosen by the CIA for a secret mission. The Asian country of Parmistan has become a pawn in the Cold War and Jonathan's soldier father was slain there while playing a grueling martial arts endurance game. Now, if Jonathan can win the same contest that killed his father, the USA can establish a vital satellite station there. Though Jonathan is no fighter, his obvious physical abilities make him a prime candidate to compete against the other countries' competitors. The CIA begins his training, turning a boyish jock into a martial arts killer. Parmistan's beautiful princess Rubali also helps in his education and, in very little time, the two teenagers fall in love. We see him training hard and watch as his "gymkata" becomes a deadly martial arts technique. His romance with the princess heats up as well in a scene where the lovely Rubali massages his shirtless torso.Arriving in Parmistan, Jonathan meets the other champions he will have to beat to win the game. Among them are Thorg, a giant Russian wrestler, Gomez, Hao and, the movie's villain Zamir. Zamir is played by Australian martial arts legend Richard Norton. The mature Norton --- sporting an impressive physique --- is the perfect foil for the young Thomas and when Zamir begins to lust after Rubali, we know only one of them will survive. The game begins and, one by one, the competitors meet a grisly death -- some at the hands of Zamir's deadly arrows. Jonathan retains his good guy image by trying to help an injured rival, while Thorg improves his odds by ambushing Hoa using his brute strength to slay the young Asian. The game takes them through a village of homicidal maniacs and Jonathan must use every trick in his gymkata to survive, but Thorg is not so lucky and meets his death there. Just when things look dark for Jonathan he is rescued by a mysterious stranger who turns out to be his missing father. He explains that though Zamir pierced his chest with an arrow he survived and hid out all this time. The reunion is short lived however when Zamir spots them and finishes the job he started by sinking another arrow into the father's back. With his dying breath he makes Jonathan promise to win the game for him.Zamir and Jonathan square off for the final battle. Norton clearly prepared for this role with plenty of gym time and his buff physique is on full display. Matched against him is the younger Thomas, lighter and faster. Using his superior strength, Norton begins to wear down the gymnast, but then using his gymkata skills, Thomas flips into the air and lands with his legs wrapped around Norton's neck. Anyone who watches gymnastics knows they have incredibly well developed leg muscles. With the intensity showing on his face, Jonathan slowly constricts his powerful thighs until, with a savage twist, he snaps Zamir's neck. Having won the game, and avenged his father, Jonathan goes on to wed Rubali and tie Parmistan to an alliance with the USA.Though there are big holes in the plot and the Cold War theme is dated, there is plenty of action in this flick. The gymkata style is interesting and it's surprising no one else adopted it for a future action film . Kurt Thomas never made another movie which is also surprising since he had the good looks and ripped body of a Hollywood star. Maybe someday another gymnast will come along to capture the public's imagination and we'll see a Gymkata 2.

What do get when you combine gymnastics along with karate? "Gymkata"! This movie wasn't the best made, but it was the best thing to show what you can do to combine the best moves to make the ultimate martial artist! Gymnastics champ Kurt Thomas plays Jonathon Cabot, a gymnast who is approached by a federal agent to participate in a tournament called "The Game". Many other competitors from all around join, but only one would win. He put his skills to the test when the princess (Tetchie Agbayani) get kidnapped. When he arrived with the other competitors, there's more sinister things going on. The king's right hand man Zamir (Richard Norton ) is plotting to overthrow the king with his coup. If it wasn't for Cabot's gymkata skills, he would never have made it far. However, other than Zamir, he had to deal with a treacherous competitor: Thorg (Bob Schott). He kills one of the other competitors , while Zamir and his army do the rest. This movie could have been made better. The quality was bad, but the plot was excellent. Kurt's gymnastic skills are one of a kind. I don't agree with the critics on this movie, I seem to enjoy it well enough. 2 out of 5 stars

I remember watching this on a rainy night back when I was a little boy in Guadalajara, Mexico. I started watching it a few minutes after it started, I was channel surfing while making me a cold glass of chocolate-milk and getting ready to have me some strawberry glassed cookies.I was about ten or eleven years old, before I knew it my mouth was wide open and I was submerged into the movie. The fights seemed so violent, I felt supportive of the tiny American competitor and it was turning into one of those magical and rainy movie nights.I am one of those "dudes" that rent this movie often, although it is not a gem of cinematography I still enjoy the violence and craziness of the movie. My favorite part has to be "the village of the damn", if you have seen the movie you know what I am talking about. I remember having nightmares about that place, I wouldn't mind having to go thru it as long as I have a AK-47. If you have not seen it I recommend it, just don't expect a blockbuster.

This movie beckons the question : What does men's gymnastic and cloaked, ninja henchmen on horses have in common ? Both are an intricate part of director, Robert Clouse's, vision. After his collaboration with Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon and Game of Death, Jim Kelly in Black Belt Jones and Jackie Chen in the Big Brawl, Robert Clouse cleverly blended campy masterpieces like the Ultimate Warrior (with Yul Brynner), Lee Van Cleef as the "stunt-ed" Master and this relatively unknown gem.Gymkata's protagonist is "faster than fire" Johnny Cabot (adequately played by Kurt Thomas, a gold medalist at the 1978 World Championships in gymnastics). Cabot's father was on a secret mission for the US government to secure "favors" of a country call Parmistan (actually filmed in the former Yugoslavia). They have a certain custom there which involves "the Game" and the 1 wish imparted to its survivor (a.k.a. winner). Major countries across the world are competing to win. Apparently, Mr. Reagan's "Star Wars" project is on the line. Johnny is sent in as a backup to his father and to win the game. To do so he is given the help of the Princess of Parmistan (who doesn't utter one word until 16 minutes into the movie and seems to be the mentor and acting coach of Devon Aoki) and her "gymkata" grand masters. Their training turns him from an adequate fighting gymnast to a lean, and relatively polite hopping machine.The most important and relevant question one needs to ask oneself is "what is gymkata"? Gymkata seems to be a fighting form that combines gymnastics with some generic un-named martial art. Its principles involve lots of running and jumping around. To be proficient in gymkata, one must also master the lost weapon skills of pommel horse, high bar and floor exercise. Martial arts veteran, Richard Norton (Zamir), bares his chest and hams it up as the villain. Norton's fighting skills are severely in check and underused, however, this movie's influence can still be seen in other movies (for example, the pommel horse scene seems to have been a huge influence on the Wachowskis and a certain scene involving Neo and many Smiths). The "Game" of Parmistan is an "iron man"-like event. There is first a race that leads to cliff rope climb, followed by a rope bridge, more running, hill climbing, running through the forest and then surviving the Village of the Damned. Whomever survives gets just 1 request and is revered by the local population. Big Whoop !! Unfortunately, the director's pedigree and the presence of Norton does not provide for anything more than laughable combat scenes. This movie is in no way to be taken seriously. From the 80's hair and 80's clothes, to the ridiculous plot and silly fighting is sure to put a smile on the face of the most disgruntled person. Johnny is whiny and annoying as the hero (think of Luke except much, much whinier). The plot, acting and action is laughable. It is enjoyable and easy to watch, but is geared towards showing off the talents of Kurt Thomas. I am sorry, Kurt, but you are no Bruce Lee. You aren't even good enough to lick the boots of Bruce's #1 fan and impersonator, Bruce Li. That's okay, though. You may not be the best of the best, but you sure look funny trying. Keep up the good work, Yorick.