Film

Sidekicks

Name: Sidekicks
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Family
Released: 1992
Cast: Jonathan Brandis, Chuck Norris, Beau Bridges, Mako, Julia Nickson

Martial arts action
Light-hearted

A 1992 action film where an asthmatic, bullied teenager fantasizes about being Chuck Norris's sidekick, then learns real martial arts from a wise mentor. It's earnest wish-fulfillment cinema with genuine heart—a love letter to action heroes dressed as a coming-of-age story. For anyone who's ever felt small and dreamed of being brave.

TMDb rating

2.7

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you grew up on Saturday-afternoon kung fu movies and want a gentle, wish-fulfilment comedy-adventure where the fantasy and the dojo share the same heartbeat.

Skip it if you want sharp, grown-up action; the fight choreography is earnest and the tone is sweetly corny, so cynicism will curdle fast.

What it asks of you: Settle in for about an hour and three-quarters of earnest, quick storytelling; it stays light even when the schoolyard cruelty bites, and it asks you to embrace its fantasy without winking.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

The Karate Kid1984

The template Sidekicks follows: underdog kid, patient mentor, martial arts as metaphor for inner strength. Perfectly constructed, genuinely moving, and Daniel-san's journey feels earned rather than fantastical.

But It's been so thoroughly absorbed into the culture that watching it fresh is almost impossible. You know every beat before it happens.

Rocky1976

Another film about an underdog who doesn't need to win—he needs to believe he can go the distance. Same DNA as Sidekicks, executed with more craft and conviction. The heart is identical.

But Nearly 50 years old and slightly slower-paced than modern action. Some will find the romance subplot distracting from the main event.

3 Ninjas1992

Released the same year, same target audience, same energy: kids learning martial arts to overcome real-world problems. Less awkward than Sidekicks in places, similarly sincere about its message that discipline builds confidence.

But Also very much a product of early-90s family action. The plotting is thin and the action sequences feel repetitive by the end.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Sidekicks

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

The Last Starfighter1984

Both films pivot on the same idea: that imaginary competence and real competence aren't opposite things. The fantasy *trains* you for the real world.

A lonely kid discovers his obsessive video game skills translate to real piloting in space. Like Sidekicks, it asks: what if your fantasy wasn't separate from reality? What if daydreaming prepared you for something? It's also earnest 80s wish-fulfillment magic.

But Early CGI space sequences look dated and unconvincing now. The film can't quite decide between sci-fi spectacle and intimate character story.

The Mighty Ducks1992

Exactly contemporary with Sidekicks and spiritually identical: a ragtag group finds confidence through teamwork and a coach who believes in them. It's about underdogs learning they're capable. The sports angle is different but the soul is the same.

But The quack-quack-quack chanting is relentlessly annoying. The dialogue can feel forced in trying to seem hip to kids.

Teen Wolf1985

A teenage nobody gains confidence through a literal transformation. Like Sidekicks, it's interested in the real problem underneath: that Barry (or Scott) doesn't believe he's worthy. The fantasy element serves the emotional truth.

But The 80s dating subplot feels completely separate from what the film is actually about. Once the novelty of the werewolf concept wears off, the pacing sags.

Bloodsport1988

Jean-Claude Van Damme's real-life martial arts story—the aspirational fantasy that probably inspired Barry's daydreams about Chuck Norris. Raw, earnest, full of that genuine martial artist respect for technique. Less polished but more credible than Sidekicks.

But Straight action film with minimal character work. If you want the emotional journey of Sidekicks, this skips that entirely in favor of tournament sequences.

The Next Karate Kid1994

Takes the formula to a girl protagonist and a fresh setting. Like Sidekicks, it's unashamed about being earnest and straightforward. Noriyuki Morita's Mr. Miyagi is as patiently wise here as any mentor in 90s cinema.

But The first sequel fatigue is visible. It feels like a photocopy of something you already watched, just with different names and locations.

Moonlight2016

Sidekicks asks: how does a weak kid become strong? Moonlight asks: what if strength doesn't mean what you think it means? Both are invested in redefining masculinity away from the Chuck Norris template.

A film about vulnerability and masculinity and what strength actually means. Like Sidekicks, it refuses to mock its protagonist for being soft or scared. It's about a boy who feels small learning to hold himself with dignity. Utterly beautiful and quiet.

But Nearly three hours, minimal dialogue, purely internal emotional landscape. If you want plot momentum and action, this is the opposite direction. Some find it slow to the point of inertia.