Product Details

• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home E
• VHS Release Date: November 9, 2000
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302871328
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,723 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Daydreams turn to reality when Barry' s fantasy hero comes to his real-life rescue in theis delightful action comedy. Barry (Jonathan Brandis) lives in a world of fantasy, where he imagines himself the rusty sidekick of action superstar Chuck Norris. Together, they engage in martial arts mayhem, vanquishing every foolhardy enemy that dares to take them on. Unfortunately, in the real world, Barry is no hero. The other kids taunt him and call him a geek. Barry's father (Beau Bridges) suggests karate lessons. After rejecting the abusive techniques of teacher Kelly Stone (Joe Piscopo), they find Mr. Lee (Mako), a kindly old gentleman with an awesome knowledge of martial arts who takes Barry under his wing. Slowly Barry learns to build his confidence and strength. One day he gets the surprise of his life when he fends off the school's biggest bully in a schoolyard fight. But a bigger battle awaits. Challenged to a competition in the state karate championships, Barry finds he needs a partner to compete. The real-life fantasy begins as the champion comes to the aid of the dreamer, and together they become an unbeatable team.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The true spirit of TaeKwonDo in a fun format, November 15, 2000

By 

Eve Clements (APO, AA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sidekicks (VHS Tape)

It's great that this movie is back in print. We have taken it out for our children to watch, especially when they were taking martial arts. It's about a boy who's going through tough times with a loving but distracted dad and, of course, lurking in the background is a bully. The boy meets a Master, who helps him refocus on his life and face down the bully. There are some funny scenes. What I love best of all, is that the movie shows the best of the spirit of Martial Arts. It's a great kiddie movie.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nothing special, but surprisingly enjoyable, May 27, 2003

By 

Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sidekicks (VHS Tape)

First off, let me say that I only bought Sidekicks because Danica McKellar from The Wonder Years appears in it. I'm not a big fan of martial arts with the exception of Bruce Lee movies, I'm lukewarm toward Chuck Norris and Beau Bridges, and I am certainly no fan of Jonathan Brandis and Joe Piscopo. That being said, I have to say that I rather enjoyed this movie, despite the fact that Danica McKellar's role is pretty insubstantial in the balance of things. I can identify in some ways with the main character Barry, a little guy who gets picked on and laughed at by his classmates but who dreams big dreams indeed. Barry's dreams, though, unlike my own, involve feats of strength and endurance. Actually, his daydreams are getting out of hand; far too often he loses himself completely in fantasies wherein his hero Chuck Norris and he take on and vanquish scores of bad guys and, as often as not, rescue little ladies such as Barry's teacher or McKellar's character (who, early on, feels sorry for Barry and wants only to be the poor little guy's friend). Barry begins taking martial arts lessons from a Mr. Lee (Mako) and eventually amazes everyone, including himself, by standing up to the class bully. His true test comes in the state karate championships, however, where he finds himself in need of a partner in order to take on his nemesis from school and the boy's arrogant instructor (Piscopo). Wouldn't it be cool if Chuck Norris showed up and agreed to be Brandon's partner? The one thing I did not like about Sidekicks is the ending, wherein a few questions were raised in an effort to blur the line between fantasy and reality again. Obviously, Sidekicks is very similar to The Karate Kid, except this movie has two things The Karate Kid does not - Chuck Norris playing himself and the wonderful Danica McKellar lending her divine presence to the proceedings. This movie will most likely appeal to young people, but if you enjoy films featuring underdogs achieving success, Sidekicks might just be up your alley.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Pleasant Surprise..!!, April 4, 2005

By 

Mark (Toronto, Ontario) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sidekicks (VHS Tape)

As a martial artist with a black belt in karate, I usually make a point of checking out films by Van Damme / Segal / Lee, etc. Because I fully understand going in that while I'm not going to come away comparing it to Casablanca or Citizen Kane, I usually can enjoy them on a certain "no-brainer" level.

However, when I watched this, I was very pleasantly surprised as it is thoroughly enjoyable.

Of course it has elements of so many other martial arts movies -young guy who is "befriended" by an older and, of course, very wise instructor who opens up the path of enlightenment as well as showing him how to open a serious can of "whoop ass".

However, this film adds another element - in this instance, the film's hero - an asmathic student named Barry - worships real life martials arts champion Chuck Norris, who makes a very entertaining appearance towards the end of the film. In fact, while I enjoyed so much of this movie, I loved the scene where a "ripped" Joe Piscipo ( was this the same guy who appeared on Saturday Night Live years ago..?? yikes - is he built now..!!) decides to take on Chuck at a karate tournament that our "hero" Barry is also participating in.

Of course, in common with many of these type of films, Joe is a thorougly obnoxious character and you just know that ol' Chuck is going to lay a serious beating on him. And does he ever.!!

Of course, Barry is also going head-to-head with some punk at his school, who continually bullies him and just happens to have a black belt in karate.

And in common with the Karate Kid, the finale comes down to one event where Barry is up against this guy - who also happens to be a loud-mouthed jerk who you would just like to reach into the television screen and punch his lights out.!

There may not be too many original themes in this film - there rarely is - but for some reason, everything seems to work in Sidekicks.

It's one of those "feel good" movies that really does drive home the message that anything is possible if you really believe and follow your dreams.!

You don't have to enjoy martial arts to like this movie. it would be appreciated by anybody. But if you're into martial arts, then it's a lock that you're going to like it.!