Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 16, 1991                   TAG: 9103160345
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

THIS MOVIE'S WEAPON IS NOT SO PERFECT

Star Jeff Speakman acquits himself adequately in the fights. But the action sequences are broken up by long, needless flashbacks and a tired, off-the-shelf plot. As for Speakman's acting ability, well, Chuck Norris is looking better and better. Speakman isn't as sadistically violent and greasy as Steven Seagal, but he's not nearly as graceful as Jean Claude Van Damme.

It seems that our hero, Jeff Saunders (Speakman) left his home in disgrace several years ago. An old friend is threatened by the local Korean Mafia while he is talking to Jeff on the phone. Jeff comes back, and anyone who has seen one of these movies knows the rest of the plot.

In fact, the only remarkable thing about the film is the fact that the hero is so incredibly stupid. The bad guys fool him with ease and when he tries to devise a tricky plan, even his adolescent sidekick is dubious.

To the film's credit, it attempts to establish a sense of place and tradition with San Francisco's Korean community, but that side of the story isn't fully developed. Director Mark DiSalle has to spend too much time shoving the creaky plot along to dwell on characters or setting.

In the end, any martial arts picture is judged on the fights. These rate a B- to C, depending on your taste. Unfortunately, the ending indicates that someone has a sequel in mind. Let's hope that common sense prevails. But don't bet on it. `The Perfect Weapon': A Paramount release playing at the Towers (354-5519) and Valley View Mall 6 (362-8219) theaters. 83 min. Rated R for violence and strong language.