As many of us have spent a significant portion of 2020 in lockdown, there’s been no shortage of Starter Packs to provide inspiration of what we can do with all that extra time on our hands. Make Your Own Sourdough Starter Pack? Check! Grow Your Own Vegetables Starter Pack? Check! They’re all there, and at COF, we’ve decided to contribute to the cause as well, by unleashing The Scott Adkins Starter Pack.
Following in the footsteps of 90’s action alumni like Gary Daniels and Jeff Speakman, after cutting his teeth in Hong Kong with the likes of such Jackie Chan, Yuen Woo-Ping, and Stephen Tung-Wai, the British martial arts stars first break would come in 2003’s Isaac Florentine directed military action flick Special Forces. His one-on-one against Vladislavas Jacukevicius was the highlight of the movie, injecting some distinctive HK flair into an otherwise run of the mill B-movie, and beginning a partnership with Florentine that would reap plenty of rewards. Perhaps none more so that when he was cast as Yuri Boyka in Florentine’s 2006 DTV sequel to Walter Hill’s boxing drama, with Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing.
Since then Adkins has gone from strength to strength, and while sometimes the need to pay the bills have resulted in his filmography being somewhat of a mine field, this Starter Pack is designed to introduce the uninitiated to the cream of the crop. Full of stunning displays of aerial dexterity, brutal exchanges, and dodgy accents, if you’re longing for the days when action was free of CGI trickery and wirework, then Mr. Adkins has you covered. Let’s kick this thing off –
Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (2012)
It may come as a surprise to see a follow-up to a 2009 straight-to-DVD sequel to a 1992 Roland Emmerich blockbuster come out on top, but this won’t be the last time for an unexpected sequel to land on the list. Far from a straight up action flick, Day of Reckoning feels like a psychological horror which draws its influence from the likes of Apocalypse Now as much as it leans of Adkins martial arts skills. Adkins gets to face off against the likes of Andrei Arlovski, Dolph Lundgren, and Jean Claude Van Damme, but it’s his fight against Arlovski in a sports store which is the highlight. Featuring a finishing move so gruesome it was cut for the US release (as were several other scenes), it’s my favorite fight in Adkins’ filmography, and for action junkies is equalled by the gratuitous bloodbath that sees Adkins raid the UniSol base in the finale.
Ninja: Shadow of a Tear (2013)
A sequel to 2009’s Ninja, which also featured the director/star pairing of Isaac Florentine and Adkins, all you need to know for the sequel is that Adkins got the girl. Like Donnie Yen in a 90’s cop movie, N:SOAT is a movie which knows how to use Adkins well – make him angry, then have him rampage through 90 minutes getting into as many fights as possible. In this instance the trigger is the murder of a loved one, which sees him go deep into the jungles of Burma on the trail of the killer. Remedying fans complaints that the original barely featured any, well, ninjas, the sequel throws in some vaguely related ninja history and a chance for Adkins to don the iconic black threads. But more than that, thanks to the casting of Kane Kosugi, N:SOAT features a knock out fight scene between the pair, a highlight in a movie which features many.
Accident Man (2018)
A passion project for Adkins which saw him not only starring, but also writing and producing, this adaption of the 90’s comic by Pat Mills hit all of the right notes – not least that we finally got an Adkins flick in which he can use his real accent, and didn’t need to resort to either American or Russian. In the late 10’s Adkins struck up a director/star partnership with fellow Brit Jesse V. Johnson that resulted in the same gold his partnership with Isaac Florentine reaped in the mid-00’s – mid 10’s. Here playing an assassin whose specialty is making his kills look like accidents, the only thing sharper than the humor is the fight choreography, that saw Adkins feature in an epic 1 vs 2 shakedown against Michael Jai White and Ray Park. Throw in a satisfyingly brutal finale against Amy Johnston, fittingly playing a character called Jane the Ripper, and it’s hard to go wrong.
Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing (2006)
It was the role of Yuri Boyka, “the most complete fighter in the world”, the villain in Isaac Florentine’s straight-to-DVD sequel to Walter Hill’s 2002 boxing drama (told you unexpected sequels would be a theme), that really put Adkins on the map. Playing second fiddle to Michael Jai White, it speaks volumes that Adkins portrayal of Boyka would come to embody what the Undisputed series became about, and once watched it’s easy to see why. Looking like an upside-down pyramid, a significantly bulked up and heavily tattooed Adkins looks like he can punch through walls, and with a hair trigger temper the gradual build up to the match pitting the pair against each other is a worthy one. Boyka would soften up in subsequent instalments (at least a little), but to see the character in all his throat punching glory, Undisputed 2 is where it’s at.
The Debt Collector (2018)
A movie which seemed to drop out of nowhere during the same year that Accident Man hit our screens, The Debt Collector is another collaboration with director Jesse V. Johnson, and cast Adkins as a rookie debt collector willing to do anything to save the dojo he runs. Said dojo basically appears in the opening and is never mentioned again, but hey we’re nit-picking, because Adkins pairing with Louis Mandylor, playing a grizzled debt collector who’s seen it all and is tasked with showing him the ropes, is a winning one. While definitely not a fight flick, that’s not to say there’s a lack of action, as Adkins gets into various skirmishes with reluctant payees (or their bodyguards), and finds himself needing to fall back on his fists far more than he was expecting. One of Adkins most mature performances, as a slice of sun-drenched L.A. noir, The Debt Collector hits the mark.
Eliminators (2016)
While the thought of Adkins starring in a movie produced by WWE Studios was enough to draw a collective sigh, thankfully any apprehension was completely unfounded. In a case of mistaken identity, Adkins’ find his witness protection cover blown, and he and his family’s peaceful life in London is promptly interrupted by the arrival of Europe’s most lethal assassin – played by WWE star Wade Barrett. Under the choreography of Tim Man, pitting Barrett’s 6’6 stature and professional wrestling skillset against Adkins’ MMA and formidable aerial repertoire proves to be a stroke of genius, with Adkins often feeling like the underdog in their brawls. With no fat on the bones and a lean runtime, Eliminators proved to be a welcome addition to Adkins’ filmography, and remains criminally underseen.
Triple Threat (2019)
There’s something satisfying about seeing Adkins as a villain, but Triple Threat felt like the first time for him to feel like a legitimately dangerous villain since 2006’s Undisputed 2 (we don’t talk about Wolf Warrior). While here he’s part of an ensemble piece, when it’s part of an ensemble which involves a finale going toe-to-toe with Iko Uwais and Tony Jaa, then it’s easy to understand why Triple Threat belongs on the list. Playing alongside a cast of villains which include Michael Jai White, Jija Yanin, and Michael Bisping, it goes without saying that the Triple Threat of Jaa, Uwais, and Tiger Chen have their hands full, and despite some China-centric pandering due to it being a co-production, Triple Threat is an entertaining ride. Look out for some of the improvised banter between Adkins and Bisping, which proves to be an equal highlight.
Undisputed III: Redemption (2010)
Another unexpected sequel to land on the list, after featuring as the villain in Undisputed 2, 4 years later Adkins would return to the character of Boyka, this time as the star of the show and portrayed as a broken anti-hero. However if there’s anything destined to bring the most complete fighter in the world’s mojo back, it’s a drug pumping psycho fighter, played by the Latin Dragon Marko Zaror. The 3rd instalment is once again helmed by Isaac Florentine, and he does a fantastic job of filling the cast with skilled fighters, including capoeira master Lateef Crowder and taekwondo expert Ilram Choi. While the decision to put rap music over many of the fights is a regrettable one, it stops short of taking away from the quality on display, and the fact that Adkins has to fight being mindful of a weakened knee adds a welcome level of danger, all of which results in a worthy sequel.
Avengement (2019)
Ever wondered what an episode of the British soap EastEnders would look like if Adkins was in it? Well, check out the short run he had playing the character Joel from 2003. Otherwise, if you’re wondering what an episode may look like that also puts Adkins skillset to perfect use, look no further than Avengement. Featuring Adkins at his most gnarly and definitely his finest acting performance, as a fresh out of the slammer ball of rage with revenge on his mind, Avengement is a lean and mean little flick that feels as if its seething over with anger. While its action content may lack finesse, it certainly doesn’t lack impact, with a finale that features a pub brawl to end all pub brawls, and more grievous bodily harm packed into 5 minutes that you’ll find in the entirety of the latest China-approved kung fu movie.
Close Range (2015)
In Close Range Adkins plays Colt MacReady, easily one of his most bad-ass characters next to Boyka, however sadly he didn’t have a franchise like Undisputed to show him off. Another pairing with director Isaac Florentine, Close Range features a flimsy story, some horrendous acting, mediocre shootouts, and characters introduced with onscreen text to pad out the runtime to 80 minutes. However when Adkins gets to let loose, its pure awesomeness, with some beautifully shot choreographed exchanges, and here Florentine seems to have found just the right balance of how to utilise the whole slow motion/normal speed technique that he’d been playing around with since Undisputed III. The very definition of a movie you watch just for the fights, it may be a fleeting effort, but the good news is said fights are never far away.
Feel like a title is on the list that shouldn’t have made the cut? Feel like a title is missing from the list? Let us know in the comments section below!
I can’t disagree with the list! I would have included Special Forces simply because it was the first Scott Adkins movie I saw (and the first time I saw the Guyver Kick which became the Boyka Kick.)
I’m probably the only guy who likes his American dialect. It’s not perfect, but I like that he puts an effort into it.
I considered ‘Special Forces’, but feel like it’s not enough of an Adkins flick to really qualify (although I kind of took the same liberty with ‘Triple Threat’, so I could just be contradicting myself). It’s worth a watch to see him choreographed under Alpha Stunts almuni Akihiro Noguchi, who’d pair up again with Adkins in ‘Ninja’ 6 years later, as he definitely brings a different action aesthetic than Adkins usual action collaborators (Larnell Stovall, Tim Man etc.).
I think John Hyams’ (whatever happened to this director anyways?) Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (and the one he did before it) is one of the greatest, gutsiest action films of the last 20 years. Other than that, most of these films on your list I have yet to see. The one high on my list is Ninja 2. Definitely need to catch up on Adkins’ film catalogue.
Scott Adkins said here https://youtu.be/V1q21lWdJzA that Day of Reckoning is the greatest film he’s ever done. I do find that to be quite a bold statement, but it’s hard to argue with the guy. He’s right in that you really have to pay attention in the film. (Although I could have done without the strobe lights.)
Did not know about Adkins saying DOR was his favorite. Very cool! The guy has taste, eh?
Bold statement, maybe; but also 100% correct. Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning really is an incredible movie. It’s got psychological horror, action, solid sci-fi storytelling, and some legitimately great fight scenes between multiple martial artists. It honestly checks off a lot of boxes for me.
The 2009 Universal Soldier (subtitled “Regeneration”) is a very solid, yet not entirely remarkable action movie, but Day of Reckoning really takes it to a whole new level IMO. I wasn’t sure what else John Hyams was up to either, I guess I’ll have to check out that “Alone” movie that’s coming out this year.
I guess I’m more partial to Accident Man and Undisputed 3. Day of Reckoning just felt too dark and complicated for me, but I applaud the effort for it to be different. I guess I have a love/hate relationship with the movie.
Hyams has mostly stuck to TV work since ‘Day of Reckoning’, but is back this year with ‘Alone’, a remake of the 2011 Swedish thriller ‘Gone’. I loved ‘Regeneration’ as well, it was a gutsy followup to what’s essentially a big budget blockbuster, and he made it work.
Thanks for posting the clip Andrew, that’s my first time to see it!
“A recently widowed traveler is kidnapped by a cold blooded killer, only to escape into the wilderness where she is forced to battle against the elements as her pursuer closes in on her.” I’m there.
Purely in terms of fight sequences, Ninja 2 is a real treat. The first Ninja movie is not quite as exciting, but I’d say it’s still worth watching, just as a warm-up for Ninja 2 if not anything else.
Personally, I need to catch up on the Undisputed movies. Like, all four of them. I will hopefully be giving them a watch soon.
Ninja wasn’t bad, but felt very small scale. I really felt like Ninja 2 was the movie that Florentine and Adkins really wanted to do in the first place. I’m sure it would be interesting to rewatch to see which parts Brahmin Doubled Adkins.
Universal Regeneration is actually quite fantastic and I was in no hurray to unnaturally get behind a modern flick like that … But its so well made, has an amazing haunting tone and is conceptually brilliant. It truly makes you forget about comparing it to the original, it may be the best reboot ever (as its just too hard to really call it a sequel, despite it being narrativelly connected). All of this achieved on a low-budget.
No love for Boyka: Undisputed?
Speaking as someone who’s been on the Adkins diet for awhile now, this is a great list, Paul!
But I would have kicked off the (sorry to say), thoroughly mediocre and largely dull Close Range for the far superior Boyka.
Close Range…Ok, the opener with Adkins laying the hurt on the Cartel goons was terrific, then it fizzles off into long, drawn out and uninspired gun fights with the odd punch or kick thrown in. Woo or Mann, Florentine ain’t when it comes to gun battles. For a better Lone Man Protecting Family Against Baddies Out In The Sticks example, Van Damme did it better 27 years ago with Nowhere To Run.
Boyka, on the other hand not only has amazing fight sequences but brings with it more emotional heft and delivers a fitting send off for the Most Complete Fighter In The World, bringing him full circle with a poignant redemption arc.
You had me until Nowhere to Run with its lame plot and action-less pacing.
Close Range did have a lot of padding in the form of endless shooting, but all of the fights gave me my fix even if the movie doesn’t compare to the rest of the list.
Undisputed: Boyka though deserves applause for taking such a small budget and shooting schedule and turning in the quality it had. It probably wouldn’t be fair to take the list up with Boyka films though.
“No love for Boyka: Undisputed?”
It might not have made the list, however as a healthy alternative, we recently gave it the full review treatment (as always, at COF we like to be fashionably late). Check it out here.
“Nowhere to Run with its lame plot and action-less pacing”
Hmmm…I may need to revisit it then, as it’s been almost 20 years since I last saw it and may be viewing it through a fog of rose-tinted nostalgia.
I do recall there was better character development for a typical JCVD joint at that time with his interactions with Rosanna Arquette and the kids being especially sweet (his sex scene with Arquette most likely helped as well)
Also went into it with the right expectations as even Van Damme was hyping it pre-release about how this movie wouldn’t feature his customary fancy footwork and splits.
Close Range though….it’s far from the WORST Adkins movie but it’s on the lower rung of the Adkins-Florentine collab. It also didn’t help that I saw it right after the magnificent Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear which I’ve seen so many times I have no trouble recollecting Namiko craved Dark Chocolate and Seaweed prior to her death.
In fact I’d re-watch 3 other lesser Adkins efforts before giving Close Range another chance; Never Back Down 3, Hard Target 2 and Savage Dog going so far as to say Savage Dog would make the cut for my Adkins starter pack.
Maybe I should have had the right expectations too, as I was expecting more action from Nowhere to Hide. But there were certain things like Joss Acklund looking like he would rather be back on the Lethal Weapon 2 set, and the corrupt cop who becomes good for no reason without getting punished that I couldn’t overlook.
I never saw the Green Street films. I’m wondering how Adkins fits in part 3.
All Green Street films are stand alone and you can go to Part 3 comfortably without having watched the other 2. All 3 have directors I like. The 1st was by Lexi Alexander who went on to make my fav Punisher movie. The 2nd is by Jesse v Johnson and the 3rd is by the underrated James Nunn who went on to re-team with Adkins for Eliminators and subsequently did 2 decent Marine installments (5 &6)
Well shoot me for that typo!
It should be Green Street 3: Never Back Down and NOT Never Back Down 3 which is actually Never Back Down: No Surrender which rightfully belongs in the MJW starter pack.
Jesus I need a spreadsheet to keep these titles in order.
“It should be Green Street 3: Never Back Down and NOT Never Back Down 3 which is actually Never Back Down: No Surrender which rightfully belongs in the MJW starter pack.“
Hmmm, you may have just given us the inspiration for our next feature! Top of the list – ‘Spawn’? 😛
Top of the list – ‘Spawn’? 😛
Shiiiiiiiit! If Spawn’s gonna be in, might as well toss Chain of Command and Cops & Rubbers into the pack 🙂
Obviously I meant Cops & RObbers not Cops & Rubbers which is likely it’s porn parody 🙂
In all fairness, a lot of MJW’s filmography doesn’t need any adjustment to sound like a porn parody – ‘Falcon Rising’, ‘Chocolate City’, ‘The Crooked Man’, ‘The Hard Way’, ‘Exit Wounds’ (best not to dwell on that one too much), and ‘Blood and Bone’ (likewise).
I would replace Close Range with Special Forces. Close Range feels like a wasted opportunity. Fun film, but it lags on its greater potential for the sake of a one-shot.
So I’ll be predictable for you. I realise my contributions to this website are rare and sporadic, but I appreciate that they at-least make enough impact as to generate a preposterous, reactionary trolling article like this. Because there is no other logical reason to write something so absurd. Its partly Adkins being the main B-movie martial arts actor that makes the genre dead and mostly meaningless to people. Its not that he cant “act” or “kick” .. Its that he has no star-presence or charisma. He would be perfectly fine as goon number 3. But as star, it always feels like miscasting. I was hoping the picture for this article were films going into a shredder.
“I realise my contributions to this website are rare and sporadic, but I appreciate that they at-least make enough impact as to generate a preposterous, reactionary trolling article like this.”
Wow! Or, it could have been written to coincide with the release of ‘Debt Collectors’!
We’ll make an Adkins fan out of you yet Mr. Retter!
I doubt it. Hes just not a movie star. Good martial artist who has even worked with good directors. But hes not a leading man.
I know that “Close Range” is accused of being the odd-one-out on this list, but I just finished watching it a few minutes ago, and I was pleasantly surprised.
Maybe it helps that I went in with low expectations. Honestly, I don’t think there was even that much “padding” in the movie as others have said. To me it felt like a lean and mean 85-minute block of B-action movie pleasure.
We need more Florentine/Adkins collaborations.
Glad you got a kick (excuse the pun) out of it Dan! I grappled with the 10th entry either being ‘Close Range’ or ‘Savage Dog’, but for me the Florentine joint just pips it for a number of reasons –
1. ‘Close Range’ starts strong and finishes strong, whereas ‘Savage Dog’ has an awesome latter half, but the first half is a laborious slog to get through.
2. ‘Savage Dog’ contains a finale pitting Adkins against Marko Zaror, and we already get that with a movie on the list in the form of ‘Undisputed III: Redemption’.
3. ‘Close Range’ features some pretty shoddy acting, but ‘Savage Dog’ beats it with the cringe inducing narration, and Juju Chan’s acting out-shoddy’s everyone.
Totally agree. “Savage Dog” was still enjoyable, but a lot of it was tough to sit through. “Close Range” is the tighter movie in every single way.
Finally checked out NINJA I and II back-to-back. Neither film was perfect, but Part II had some solid moments – most noticeably the bar fight. Like the influences of the Cannon ninja films, as well as those nods to NRNS II. The one next on my list is Eliminators.