Last summer I binged through all seasons of Cobra Kai since I had a craving for nostalgy. I started to doubt how sustainable the way I’m performing in front of the computer all day actually is. Then came fall and I got back to working and studying. And I was so fucking ashamed of my lack of exercise. After summer was over I started to feel again like I haven’t got enough headspace to get myself moving. Felt extremely isolated by my own choices of prioritizing work and education. Then I burned out. Maybe I needed to watch The Paper Tigers. It’s easy to relate the grown-up kung fu practitioners that have adult responsibilities and aches. I’m in my “early 30s” and having an age crisis hitting hard.

The Paper Tigers

Movie is about three middle-aged former kung fu prodigies who reunite after years have passed. They learn that their former sifu has been murdered and are set out to avenge their master. From nostalgic feeling of being young and invincible back to present. Balancing with life responsibilities while attempting to not break themselves.

Film is directed by Bao Tran and produced by Yuji Okumoto that was starring on Cobra Kai as Chozen Toguchi. Tigers: Alain Uy, Ron Yuan and Mykel Shannon Jenkins.

Martial Club and Master Ken

Martial Club publishes also their own short films on their Youtube channel.
Shaolin Avengers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1K8OtHQuas


I looked up the movie originally since I’ve been checking the progress of Martial Club channel in Youtube every once in a while during years. Really happy seeing Andy and Brian Le starring on the film and appreccianting their dedication on practising martial arts and have been rooting for them.

There was also an awesome reminder of importance of repetition over years in the form of character named Carter. And the fact that Matthew “Master Ken” Page was playing the role made me smile. Carter had one-sided competition going on with the tigers when they all were younger. He used to pretty much just get his ass kicked. But when the three tigers re-visited him after years Carter was actually the one that stuck with his training.

The paper Tigers has also Ken Quitugua as the villain of the story that is known from competing in martial arts. So there were a lot of great stunts making the film.

Master Ken is a character Matthew Page performs in Enter The Dojo Show.
He can be found restomping the groin: https://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheDojoShow

Reflections

The Paper Tigers was a really enjoyable film to watch as a person that grew up practising martial arts and has hit their first age-related crisis. The film propably needs the emotional attachment to the themes of the film to make most of the experience though. There were a few laughs but the themes themselves made me really deep diving into thinking. Thinking of friendships, direction in life and finding some meaning.

I’ve been circling back a lot to those questions lately to figure out some direction for myself. But one thing usually helps; getting back to training martial arts. After getting more fit my head will work better and I have atleast better chances for getting my thoughts sorted out. I want to see what I can do when I put my mind to it even though I’m not in my 20s anymore. Still kickin’!