Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

China O'Brien 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 3, 2024

Director Robert Clouse is best known for his work on 1973’s “Enter the Dragon,” helping to bring the martial arts mastery of Bruce Lee to western audiences. He’s also the helmer of 1985’s “Gymkata,” exposing his clumsier side when it comes to selling the power of action cinema. For 1990’s “China O’Brien,” Clouse seems especially overwhelmed by the assignment (he also claims a screenwriting credit), tasked with making two scrappy fight films (including a 1990 sequel, shot at the same time) that celebrate the physical might of star Cynthia Rothrock, with the vehicle manufactured to break her into the American market. “China O’Brien” is rough around the edges, borderline slapdash at times, but there’s Rothrock to hold the endeavor together, providing a greatly entertaining take on western attitudes with this cowboy tale of law and order.

A police officer experiencing a traumatic incident, China (Cynthia Rothrock) leaves the force to return home to Beaver Creek, Utah, looking to reunite with her father, Sheriff John (David Blackwell), the lawman of the small town. Up to no good is Sommers (Steven Kerby), a criminal kingpin looking to take control of Beaver Creek, but Sherrif John can’t be bought or intimidated. However, he can be killed, leaving China a wreck as she seeks answers about her father’s death, getting a better idea of the corruption in the area. Electing to run for sheriff, China mounts a campaign to bring peace to the community, joined by her old boyfriend, Matt (Richard Norton), and Dakota (Keith Cooke), a one-handed mystery man who has a score to settle with Sommers and his goons.

China’s torment is detailed early in the feature. She aims to teach a gangbanger a lesson when he challenges her to a street fight, only to have the alley event end in a death, leaving her disillusioned with her work and quest to instill young people with martial arts discipline. She returns to Beaver Creek after a six-year-long absence, seeking comfort in her hometown, only encounter an area changed by crime, with Sommers running an intimidation game with help from corrupt cops. John is soon eliminated after he objects to the situation, setting up China for a classic revenge story where the highly trained woman looks to take out the trash and restore order.

“China O’Brien” tries to have a lot going on, including the addition of Matt, an ex-military man who remains smitten with China. Dakota is a motorcycle dude looking for an opening to take down Sommers for personal reasons. Time is spent with Deputy Lickner (Patrick Adamson), an oily Beaver Creek cop happy to help Sommers. And there’s the central story of an election, with China looking to win over the locals as she endeavors to become sheriff, and Clouse is right there to add many lengthy scenes of campaigning. While it seems like the makings of an epic in the early going of “China O’Brien,” the feature doesn’t follow through on its grand collision of good vs. evil. The helmer works in small steps, making for some clunky interactions between characters, and the threat of Sommers isn’t very powerful, lacking needed “Road House”-ian fury as China takes on an older man of criminal influence, forced to fight through his henchmen to reach him.

“China O’Brien” does try to create some emotional momentum for the tale, which is laudable, but Clouse mostly scores with his action scenes. He’s tasked with creating spaces for Rothrock (and her co-stars) to show their stuff, and while the filmmaking isn’t dynamic, martial arts mayhem is, giving viewers a ride as China, Matt, and Dakota stand up to Sommers’s army, using physical force to end the reign of terror. There’s a decent amount of hellraising in the picture, with the best arriving in the final act, where the heroes look to disrupt ballot box tampering by breaking limbs in a high school gym, battling their way around the facility.

China O'Brien 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"China O'Brien" arrives with a UHD release, listed as "presented in Dolby Vision HDR and newly scanned and restored from its 35mm original camera negative." Detail is strong throughout the viewing experience, offering a look at the low-budget production and its use of Utah locations, which remain dimensional. Interiors are open for inspection, exploring living spaces and businesses. Facial surfaces are textured, along with costuming. Colors are vibrant, capturing distinct greenery and rich period style. Primaries are vivid, especially with reds, which are commanding. Skin tones are mostly natural, with some hotness here and there. Blacks are deep, preserving shadow play and evening activities. Highlights are brighter but appealing, doing well with outdoor events. Grain is heavy but film-like. Source is in good condition.

China O'Brien 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a basic understanding of dialogue exchanges, which retain clarity throughout the listening event. Scoring offers decent instrumentation, delivering synth support for action beats and emotional situations. Sound effects are appreciable, with some real 1970's sound library additions here.

China O'Brien 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Frank Djeng and John Charles.

• "Cynthia Rothrock is China O'Brien" (19:01, HD) is an interview with the actress, who was under contract with Golden Harvest in the 1980s, and the company was looking for a way to break into the American marketplace. Receiving scripts for the original film and its sequel, an effort was made to shoot the pictures at the same time, causing some confusion. Rothrock explores her training routine, trying to maintain her energy, especially in the high altitudes of Utah. Stunt exposure is recalled, and a production disaster is identified, which resulted in the death of a crew member. The differences between Hong Kong and American productions are identified, including choreography, with the final film a mixture of styles. The interviewee highlights on-set experiences and opportunities, and she reflects on her time with director Robert Clouse, who favored action over acting. Rothrock analyzes her character and her career at the time, receiving a starring role, which was meant to lead into a Sylvester Stallone action epic (which was eventually canceled), preventing her from making more "China O'Brien" sequels.

• "A Worthwhile Journey" (32:39, HD) is an interview with the "The Martial Artists of China O'Brien," including Richard Norton, Keith Cooke, and Chris Casamassa. The interviewees share their early interest in martial arts and acting, looking to Bruce Lee as inspiration. A discussion of Cynthia Rothrock is presented, with the men sharing deep respect for the actress and her martial arts achievements, eager to work with her as her star was rising in the industry. Memories of producer Fred Weintraub are offered, including his protection of meatball distribution on the set. The production of "China O'Brien" and its sequel are recalled, identifying action concepts and the speed of the shoot, keeping things moving with numerous stunt events. Times have changed, with safety a little lax on the endeavor, and Norton is grateful for a more responsible industry these days. Life after "China O'Brien" is detailed, with the interviewees going off into various projects, including, for Casamassa, stunt double work for George Clooney on "Batman and Robin."

• "Melanie Good is Stripper Assassin" (11:12, HD) is an interview with the actress, who was a college student in Utah, finding some modeling test shoots making it to publication. Brought in for "China O'Brien II," Good had no clue what she was doing, trying her 18- year-old best to keep up with all the information flying at her. The interviewee also details trouble with blanks, as one of the crew was hurt during Good's scene.

• "Casting China" (11:31, HD) is a video conference interview with casting director Catrine McGregor, who was as a new mother when working on the project, bringing her baby through the process. The interviewee details her professional journey and her duties during production, tasked with bringing people in who could fight and follow direction. Praise for Cynthia Rothrock is offered, and the cast is highlighted, explaining individual appeal.

• "Composing China" (10:42, HD) is a video conference interview with composers David Wheatley and Paul Antonelli, with both men recalling their history in music and move to filmmaking. A collaborative relationship was formed between Wheatley and Antonelli, eventually finding their way to the "China O'Brien" saga. Memories from the recording sessions are also shared.

• "The Making of a Martial Arts Movie" (39:08, SD) is a 1993 behind-the-scenes look at the creation of "China O'Brien."

• Interview (26:20, HD) is a video conference conversation between actors Cynthia Rothrock and Richard Norton, originally recorded for Rothrock's YouTube channel.

• Interview (12:00, HD) is a chat with actress Cynthia Rothrock, who answers questions about the making of "China O'Brien," originally recorded for her YouTube channel.

• Image Gallery (2:11) collects poster art, film stills, and BTS snaps.

• And Trailers for "China O'Brien" (2:15, SD) and "China O'Brien II" (2:05, SD) are included.

China O'Brien 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"China O'Brien" isn't a rip-roaring viewing experience, and there are times when it seems Clouse isn't paying attention to anything in the film, allowing some rough performances to make it to the final edit. It's not a particularly good picture, but it works as a B-movie distraction, providing the basics in revenge and aggression, and Rothrock once again proves to be an engaging screen hero. She carries enjoyable pluckiness and powerful moves, doing what she can to keep "China O'Brien" alert and entertaining as it periodically struggles with dramatic and production needs.