Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon
Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon | |
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Directed by | Albert Pyun Isaac Florentine |
Written by | Irina Mishina[1] |
Produced by | John F.S. Laing Yoram Barzilai Melissa Ciampa |
Starring |
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Production company | Guam Motion Pictures Company |
Distributed by | Rigel Entertainment Westlake Entertainment |
Release dates |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
Countries | Guam, (United States) |
Language | English |
Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon is a
The film was originally slated to be directed in
Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon has garnered press through lawsuits regarding its financing. Guam Economic Development and Commerce Authority (GEDCA) gave a $800,000 loan guarantee to producer John F. S. Laing, which was forfeited as the film failed to recoup the investment. GEDCA alleged Laing defrauded them, while he claimed Guam authorities promised him funding he did not receive. This kicked off a lengthy legal battle, ending with a settlement between Laing and GEDCA.
Plot
The story centers around Max Havoc (Mickey Hardt), an ex-
In the meantime, Tahsi is approached by a thief (Danielle Burgio), who has fled to Guam with a stolen rare
Max and the Goody sisters are soon involved in a streetfight with henchwoman Eiko (Ji Ling). After Max saves the sisters, and is involved in a further fight with Quicksilver (Johnny Trí Nguyễn), he is contacted by the leader of the criminals, Aya (Marie Matiko), who is also Eiko's lesbian lover. The Black Dragons explain that the jade dragon is actually an urn containing the ashes of their former leader, Yoshida, and that they believe it holds mystical value and will stop at nothing to get it back. Max and the sisters agree to return the dragon at noon the following day in return for their own personal safety. They are helped by locals, including beach vendor Debbie (Carmen Electra) and Moko, with whom Max reconciled at the scene of Tahsi's killing. Nevertheless, Jane is torn between returning the figurine and protecting their lives, and ensuring that her sister finishes her M.D. The deal falls through as Jane's cell phone battery dies, and she does not arrive at the meet in time. Max escapes the angry henchmen on a jet ski.
The head of the Black Dragons (David Carradine, credited as Grand Master), pays a visit to Guam to take the matter into his own hands. It turns out that he is a man prominently seen ringside in Max's flashbacks. The Black Dragons kidnap Christy, enticing Max and Jane to come to their hideout. Max and Grand Master reach an agreement that Max will fight Arnold Chon's character to death. If Max wins, Max and the Goody sisters can go free. Max almost deals a deadly blow to the enforcer's head, but stops himself at the last moment, sparing his life, yet winning the fight. He turns over the urn to the yakuza, and receives a priceless katana as a gift. Max and his allies celebrate the end of the adventure in a party. The film ends with Max embracing Jane Goody on a beach during sunset.
Cast
- Mickey Hardt as Max Havoc
- Richard Roundtree as Tahsi
- Joanna Krupa as Jane Goody
- Tawney Sablan as Christy Goody
- David Carradine as Grand Master
- Carmen Electra as Debbie
- Vincent Klyn as Moko
- Danielle Burgio as Thief
- Marie Matiko as Aya
- Li Jing as Eiko
- Arnold Chon as Baldy
- Johnny Trí Nguyễn as Quicksilver
- Nikki Ziering as Girl Biker
- Diego Wallraff as Joe
- J. J. Perry as Boxing Referee
Director Albert Pyun cast Mickey Hardt as Max Havoc, as he was planning "toward European TV appeal,"
Production
According to Pyun, the idea of Max Havoc has existed since at least 2001. At the time, he was asked to direct the film in
Filming began in March and finished in May 2004.[2][5] Some of the scenes were done in East Hagåtña Bay.[6] Pyun had planned to shoot the film with a Vancouver-based film crew, but after they were denied visas, he eventually had to resort to hiring a Los Angeles crew, which, he said, he later regretted. He complained about a lack of infrastructure for filming on Guam, as well as hostility from government officials once the film crew arrived on the island, and claimed that he was denied shooting on Waikiki Beach, which cost the film time and sponsorships. He also claimed he was not paid his director's fee, calling the film "the worst financial decision [he] ever made."[2] Guam businesses and Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon crew members also reported not being paid for work on the film.[7][8]
The producer, John F. S. Laing, blamed Pyun for the failure of the film.[5] After the filming was completed on Guam, director Isaac Florentine was hired to touch up the film in Los Angeles in order to improve its marketability, adding around ten minutes of screen time in the process.[1][2][9] Florentine declined screen credit, stating in a later interview that he "[did]n't feel it [was] fair" to Pyun.[9] The L.A. shoot took ten days, and featured David Carradine and Richard Roundtree, who were not part of the original cut.[5]
Release
Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon premiered on Guam television on December 10, 2005.
A sequel, titled Max Havoc: Ring of Fire, premiered on September 12, 2006 and on DVD on August 21, 2007.[17][18] The film was produced in Canada and directed by Terry Ingram. Mickey Hardt reprises his role as Max Havoc, who comes to Seattle to do a photoshoot of a tennis champion played by Christina Cox, but has to deal with a street gang and organized crime, while Dean Cain plays the main antagonist. Max Havoc: Ring of Fire received mixed-to-negative reviews, being called a "run of the mill B-movie."[3][19] On September 30, 2009, both films were released as a double feature on Blu-ray in Germany.[20]
Reception
Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon received mostly negative reviews. Reviewers were mostly focused on the film's lacking plot and rampant
Author Camilla Fojas later criticized Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon for its shortcoming as a promotional vehicle for Guam and its film industry, noting the colonialistic portrayal of Guam, especially in the parting scene where U.S. mainland-based characters bid farewell to Chamorro people in a cliché fashion.[23]
Litigation
At the request of producer John F.S. Laing and director Albert Pyun, the Guam Economic Development and Commerce Authority gave an $800,000
The film has been mired in litigation on Guam and in
Settlement
A trial began in Guam Superior Court on February 13, 2012.[30] After six years of litigation on Guam,[31] a settlement was reached on May 11. The GEDCA Board of Directors approved Laing's offer of $350,000 in place of paying back the original $800,000 guarantee. The agreement stipulated that Laing would make a payment of $250,000 on June 30, with the remainder paid by September 30.[32]
By the June deadline, Laing had made a payment of $200,000. GEDCA requested the outstanding $50,000 along with the $100,000 remaining balance to be paid by Laing by the September deadline.[33] When asked by a local talk radio station if the Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon settlement money would be a windfall for GEDCA and could be used for future economic development projects on Guam, GEDCA administrator Karl Pangelinan stated that the money would barely pay for the legal fees incurred during the years of legal fighting with Laing.[34] In September, Rigel Entertainment declared bankruptcy.[35] On October 26, GEDCA board met and established that Laing had made a partial late payment of $75,000 on the $150,000 still outstanding. A new deadline was set for January 31, 2013.[36] Laing missed the January deadline,[37] but in late February, GEDCA reported receiving the money, thus bringing the lawsuit to a close.[38]
References
- ^ ASIN B000GYI3PE.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Leeder, Mike (February 15, 2014). "Albert Pyun: Max Havoc Declassified". ImpactOnline.co. Archived from the original on June 26, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ a b Valentin, Albert (October 26, 2010). "REVIEW: Max Havoc: Ring of Fire (2006)". Kung Fu Cinema. Archived from the original on November 9, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
- ^ Murray, Darren (24 February 2017). "Hong Kong goes West – When Hong Kong film makers attempt to break the Western market – part 2". Screen Anarchy. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Christensen, Kim (June 13, 2007). "Camera, legal action!". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 11, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ a b c Park, Gene (December 22, 2005). "'Havoc' is guilty pleasure – without the pleasure". Pacific Daily News. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
- ^ Partido, Gerardo R. (October 27, 2010). "Guam, L.A. film producer battle over 'Max Havoc'". Pacific Islands Report. Hagåtña, Guam: Pacific Islands Development Program. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ Limtiaco, Steve (May 19, 2005). "Guam 'Havoc' film investment a bust". Pacific Islands Report. Hagåtña, Guam: Pacific Islands Development Program. Archived from the original on May 26, 2005. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ a b Rugaard, Jason (March 13, 2010). "Interview: Isaac Florentine". Archived from the original on September 3, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ Park, Gene (December 2, 2005). "Guam-backed 'Havoc' to debut on Guam TV". Pacific Islands Report. Pacific Islands Development Program. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- ^ Limtiaco, Steve (7 February 2004). "Two Movies to Throw Spotlight on Guam". Pacific Daily News.
- ^ a b "GEDCA still going after 'Max Havoc' producers". Kuam.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
- ^ a b c Cagurangan, Mar-Vic (April 1, 2010). "Court upholds 'Max Havoc' lawsuit dismissal". Pacific Islands Report. Pacific Islands Development Program. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
- ^ Denight, Nate (June 1, 2010). "Max Havoc". UNO Guam Magazine. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ a b c Cornelius, David (January 30, 2007). "Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon". DVD Talk. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
- ^ a b c Anderson, Jeffrey M. "Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon (2004)". Combustible Celluloid. Archived from the original on March 24, 2009. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
- ^ "Max Havoc 2: Ring of Fire". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
- ASIN B000LC4Y5Y.
- ^ "Max Havoc: Ring of Fire (2006)". Direct to Video Connoisseur. December 29, 2009. Archived from the original on August 9, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
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- ^ Valentin, Albert. "REVIEW: Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon (2004)". KungFuCinema.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ "Max Havoc: Curse Of The Dragon (2006)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on December 19, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
- ISBN 978-0-292-75630-4
- ^ a b Dumat-ol Daleno, Gaynor. "Guam spends $800,000 on film, gets $9,000 back". Pacific Islands Report. Pacific Islands Development Program. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
- ^ Dumat-ol Daleno, Gaynor (May 7, 2004). "Guam agency guarantees loan to film maker". Pacific Islands Report. Pacific Islands Development Program. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- ^ "LAING v. GUAM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCE AUTHORITY". Leagle.com. March 30, 2010. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ^ Salas Matanane, Sabrina (February 21, 2010). "Max Havoc litigation up for GEDA discussion". Kuam.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
- ^ a b Limtiaco, Steve (March 29, 2007). "Court dismisses 'Max Havoc' suit against GovGuam". Pacific Islands Report. Pacific Islands Development Program. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ^ Artero, Sonya (March 28, 2007). "Judge wants 'Havoc' trial kept on Guam". KUAM News. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ Aguon, Mindy (February 6, 2012). "GEDA v. Laing trial set for Monday". KUAM News. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ Ridgell, Clynt (May 11, 2012). "GEDA Accepts Max Havoc Settlement of $350-Thousand". Pacific News Center. Archived from the original on July 26, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ Aguon, Mindy (June 19, 2012). "GEDA/Laing settlement filed for court's review". KUAM News. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ Taitano, Zita Y. (July 26, 2012). "GEDA receives part of Havoc pay settlement". Marianas Variety. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ "Karl Pangelinan with Ray Gibson". Pacificnewscenter.com. August 13, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
- ^ "Company Bankruptcy Information for Rigel Entertainment, Inc". Business-bankruptcies.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ Kerrigan, Kevin (October 26, 2012). "Liang [sic] Makes Another Payment to GEDA, Pangelinan Confident Final Payment in Max Havoc Film Fiasco Will Be Made by January". Pacific News Center. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ Aoki, Dance (January 9, 2013). "Filmmaker owes GEDA final $75,000". Pacific Daily News. Archived from the original on September 2, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
- ^ Aguon, Mindy (February 26, 2013). "Laing, GMPC make first installment on settlement". KUAM news. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2015.