Watch The Paper Tigers

In the movie The Paper Tigers, three former Kung Fu prodigies reunite years after their glory days to investigate the mysterious death of their Kung Fu master. The movie, directed by Quoc Bao Tran and released in 2020, is a hilarious and heartfelt tribute to the Kung Fu genre. The movie follows Danny (played by Alain Uy), Hing (played by Ron Yuan), and Jim (played by Mykel Shannon Jenkins), who used to be known as the Three Tigers. They were students of Sifu, their Kung Fu master who taught them everything they know about martial arts. However, years have passed, and the three of them have gone their separate ways. Danny is now a divorced dad struggling to make ends meet; Hing has become the owner of a popular Chinese restaurant, while Jim has become a cop. The three of them are out of shape and out of practice, but when they hear of their Sifu's death, they reunite to pay their respects.

When they arrive at the funeral, they discover that their Sifu's death was not an accident, but a murder. Sifu had always been a strict but loving teacher, and the three of them owe him everything. They decide to investigate the circumstances of his death, even if it means putting their lives on the line.

The Paper Tigers is a hilarious movie that blends Kung Fu action with comedy. The movie is full of witty one-liners, and the chemistry between the three main actors is fantastic. They seem to genuinely enjoy each other's company, and their friendship is one of the highlights of the film. The movie also has some great fight scenes, and the Kung Fu choreography is top-notch.

What sets this movie apart from other Kung Fu movies is that it is not afraid to poke fun at the genre. The movie is aware of its tropes and clichés, and it embraces them while also subverting them. The characters are not the typical Kung Fu heroes; they are middle-aged men who have let themselves go, and they are not as fast or agile as they used to be. The movie also addresses the cultural appropriation that often occurs in Kung Fu movies; the three main characters are American-born Asians who struggle with their identity and their connection to their Chinese heritage.

The movie also tackles themes such as friendship, loyalty, and the passing of time. The three main characters are forced to confront their past mistakes and the choices they made that led them to where they are now. They also realize that they are not as invincible as they used to be and that they need each other more than ever.

The movie's cast is composed mainly of Asian-American actors, which is refreshing to see in a Hollywood movie. Alain Uy, Ron Yuan, and Mykel Shannon Jenkins give great performances as the three main characters, and their chemistry is fantastic. The movie also features supporting performances by Brian Le, Yuji Okumoto, and Andy Le, who are all veterans of the Kung Fu genre.

Overall, The Paper Tigers is a fantastic movie that pays homage to the Kung Fu genre while also subverting its tropes. It is a hilarious and heartfelt movie that features great fight scenes and fantastic performances by its cast. The movie also tackles important themes such as friendship, loyalty, and the passing of time. It is a must-watch for anyone who loves Kung Fu movies and for anyone who enjoys a good comedy-drama.

The Paper Tigers is a 2021 action movie. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 67.