The Paper Tigers

critic Reviews

, 98% Certified Fresh Tomatometer Score
  • The Paper Tigers blends action, comedy, and heart to produce a fresh martial arts movie with plenty of throwback charm.
  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Phuong LeGuardian
    Tran adroitly layers the fight sequences, filmed with fluidity and at least substantially performed by the main actors themselves, between frothy layers of blokey banter.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Tim CogshellFilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)
    This is a real solid Kung Fu butt-kicker, except that it's funny in that Karate Kid and Rumble in the Bronx kind of way.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    David EhrlichindieWire
    Funniest of all is "Enter the Dojo" star Matthew Page, who seems to have made a whole career out of caricaturing the recognizable phenomenon of the white guy who turns Asian cultural appropriation into a lifestyle.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Simon AbramsRogerEbert.com
    The Paper Tigers isn't exactly the most challenging action movie, but it is comforting whenever it most needs to be.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Michael OrdoñaLos Angeles Times
    "Paper Tigers" may not be a deep comment on aging or friendship, but it has enough humor and action to make it worth a few rounds.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Beatrice LoayzaNew York Times
    Bao's lighthearted, refreshing approach neither succumbs to whitewashing nor the model-minority myth. The film sticks to the action-comedy basics, which is just fine.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Zoë Rose BryantNext Best Picture
    The Paper Tigers' snappy script and endlessly engaging ensemble cast imbue the film with its own singularly stirring spirit and show that you shouldn't count out the underdog.

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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Grace HanAsian Movie Pulse
    “The Paper Tigers” is an entertaining watch — one that is uniquely pan-Asian, but sharply American in character. Though this feature may not keep you on the edge of your seat, it at least will make you laugh — and maybe even cry.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Robert RotenLaramie Movie Scope
    The actors bring The Three Tigers alive in a very convincing way. Their emotional journeys are at the very heart of this film, along with the code of conduct they have sworn to follow.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Katie Smith-WongFlick Feast
    The Paper Tigers doesn't stray too far from the conventional, but it delivers the right amount of humour and thrills to entertain even the most sceptical of audiences.
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