How Did This Get Made?

Double Dragon LIVE! (HDTGM Matinee)

February 17, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The movie *Double Dragon* is considered one of the most insane films the hosts have covered, feeling like a blend of *Demolition Man*, *Escape from L.A.*, and a spiritual sequel to *Super Mario Brothers*. 
  • June Diane Rayfield was unaware that *Double Dragon* was based on a video game, and the movie bears almost no similarities to the source material, which involves the brothers fighting to the death over their love interest. 
  • The post-apocalyptic setting of New Angeles in 2007, seven years after a massive earthquake, features bizarre elements like sponsored karate tournaments (with 3M logos) and Andy Dick appearing as a weatherman. 
  • The audience Q&A session focused heavily on plot holes, character motivations (especially regarding the villain Koga Shuko and the heroes' lack of heroism), and the bizarre details of the video game adaptation. 
  • The discussion surrounding the video game ending revealed an extremely dark and bizarre narrative where one brother kills the other to win Alyssa Milano's character, all while a cat watches. 
  • Despite the film's perceived flaws, the hosts ultimately gave *Double Dragon LIVE! (HDTGM Matinee)* a full-throated recommendation due to its fun, bizarre nature and the fact that it was less tedious than many other movies they cover. 

Segments

Initial Movie Impressions
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(00:02:47)
  • Key Takeaway: The Double Dragon movie is immediately characterized as an insane film, comparable to Street Fighter in its lack of sense.
  • Summary: The movie is described as a blend of Demolition Man and Escape from L.A., feeling like a spiritual sequel to Super Mario Brothers. The core plot revolves around two halves of a pendant, one held by the villain and one by the heroes. Robert Patrick’s character may have invented vaping.
Video Game Source Material
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(00:04:30)
  • Key Takeaway: June Diane Rayfield did not know Double Dragon was based on a video game, and the movie shares virtually no similarities with the game’s plot.
  • Summary: In the game, the heroes are Billy Hammer Lee and Jimmy Spike Lee, who fight to rescue their collective love interest, Linda. The final level of the game involves the brothers fighting each other to the death over the affections of the woman.
Post-Quake LA Setting
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(00:12:31)
  • Key Takeaway: The film is set in New Angeles in 2007, seven years after a massive earthquake, leading to a bizarre, gang-ridden society where residents remain despite the disaster.
  • Summary: The hosts question whether the earthquake shook people into insanity or if the setting is a Mad Max-style dystopian nightmare. They note the absurdity of holding polite karate tournaments sponsored by companies like 3M in this environment. The police force appears severely underfunded, hiding in a small closet during the climax.
Villain Motivation and Bo Adobo
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(00:30:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Villain Shuko’s primary motivation is revealed to be the desire for ’total domination of one major American city,’ despite already seeming to control Los Angeles.
  • Summary: Shuko’s connection to the brothers’ father and his martial arts background remain unclear, as he seems to have achieved much without the medallions. He experiments on people, creating the roided-out monster Bo Adobo, who becomes emotional and roots for the heroes after being left for dead. Bo Adobo is later force-fed spinach, referencing Popeye.
Robert Patrick’s Performance
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(00:35:26)
  • Key Takeaway: Robert Patrick’s portrayal of Shuko is interpreted as an excellent impression of Charlie Sheen, especially given the film’s 1994 release shortly after Terminator 2.
  • Summary: With only one half of the medallion, Shuko can possess people and turn into a smoke monster, but when he combines both halves, he only transforms into two guys with swords. The medallion is treated as an object of immense power, similar to the Infinity Stones, yet its full potential is underutilized.
Alyssa Milano’s Costume
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(00:57:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Alyssa Milano’s character wears highly impractical, bizarre camouflage pants consisting of denim garter belts connecting jean shorts to thigh-high denim strips over bare skin.
  • Summary: The hosts spend significant time analyzing the pants, which appear to be denim garter belts connecting jean shorts to separate jean leg coverings, leaving her thighs exposed. This outfit is deemed completely non-functional for undercover work in a post-apocalyptic setting. The audience confirms that everyone noticed the unusual attire.
Audience President & Question
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(01:04:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Audience members suggested celebrities like Donald Trump and Tony Danza for the US President role in the Double Dragon world.
  • Summary: An audience member named Boz suggested Donald Trump as president in the movie’s world, while Mo nominated Tony Danza. The first audience question concerned the confusing logistics of the villain Bo Adobo being in the trunk after the final confrontation.
Double Dragon Powers Clarification
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(01:05:53)
  • Key Takeaway: The Double Dragon powers become interchangeable once the villains merge, allowing possession abilities.
  • Summary: The hosts clarified that once Robert Patrick’s character becomes a Double Dragon, the powers are interchangeable, enabling him to possess souls, which was previously tied to possessing the body via the medallion.
Synchronized Twins and Restraints
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(01:07:07)
  • Key Takeaway: The synchronized actions of the twin henchmen and the ineffective restraints used on Mark DiCosta were noted by an audience member.
  • Summary: An audience member observed that the twin villains synchronized their actions, including adjusting their glasses and chewing gum simultaneously. They also pointed out that the restraints used on Mark DiCosta looked like weak friendship bracelet material, allowing easy escape.
Easy Cheese Fuel Mechanics
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(01:08:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The car runs on trash, but adding an aerosol can labeled ‘Do not combust’ causes it to accelerate rapidly.
  • Summary: The car’s fuel source is trash, similar to Back to the Future Part II, but throwing in a can explicitly marked ‘Do not combust’ makes the vehicle go extremely fast. This specific fuel mechanic was not utilized again later in the film.
Lack of Heroism and Alyssa Milano
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(01:08:52)
  • Key Takeaway: The main heroes lack heroic qualities, and Alyssa Milano’s character’s early death was lamented as a missed opportunity for a better story arc.
  • Summary: The protagonists are criticized for not using their intelligence or skills effectively, merely ‘happening into’ the plot events. The audience wished the movie had focused on Alyssa Milano’s character as the active leader of the rebellion instead of her early demise.
Onboard Computer and Game Stats
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(01:09:42)
  • Key Takeaway: The car’s onboard computer, ‘GangNet Linkup,’ likely provided video game-style stats on opponents like Bo Adobo.
  • Summary: The technology in the film, including the trash car and the villain’s video game rendering, was highlighted. The GangNet Linkup computer seemed to pull opponent specifics, such as Bo Adobo’s 800-pound lifting capacity, suggesting a direct link to video game mechanics.
Joystick Jerking Observation
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(01:11:05)
  • Key Takeaway: The scene where characters activate the game simulation involved motions resembling inappropriate joystick manipulation.
  • Summary: An audience member noted that the way the characters interacted with the joystick to activate the simulation looked like they were ‘basically jerking each other off.’ The twisting motion used on the joystick was deemed incorrect for standard game controls.
Philly Local Treasures Mentioned
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(01:12:34)
  • Key Takeaway: The Jack City guys, local Philly TV personalities known for ‘Furniture on the Mend,’ are from Philadelphia.
  • Summary: An audience member shared local Philadelphia trivia, noting that the Jack City guys, famous for their show Furniture on the Mend, are local treasures. They also live near where a scene for Mannequin 2 was filmed.
Video Game Ending Analysis
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(01:16:47)
  • Key Takeaway: The Double Dragon video game ending features the victor kissing Milano’s character while a cat watches, and the loser’s vest is worn as a trophy.
  • Summary: Upon viewing the game footage, the hosts were shocked to see Bo Adobo punch Alyssa Milano’s character (wearing a red dress) and then fight his brother to the death. The victor puts on his brother’s vest as a trophy before kissing Milano, all while a cat observes the scene.
The Cat’s Significance
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(01:19:48)
  • Key Takeaway: The cat’s specific positioning during the game’s ending suggests it might be the reincarnated Red Dragon or the true final boss.
  • Summary: The hosts speculated that the cat’s presence and position during the brother-killing/kissing scene were highly significant, suggesting it could be Red Dragon reincarnated or the actual overseer of the entire conflict. The implied message of the game is that victory requires killing your brother to win the woman while the cat watches.
Second Opinion and Recommendation
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(01:23:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Despite critical flaws, the hosts gave Double Dragon a full-throated recommendation because it was absurd, fun, and less tedious than similar movies.
  • Summary: The Second Opinion segment revealed that 58% of Amazon reviews were five-star, with some reviewers being highly enthusiastic about the film’s spectacle. Jason ultimately recommended the movie because it contained every trope they usually mock, but delivered it in a shorter, less tedious package.