giangrosso
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Joined: 30 Oct 2007
Posts: 793
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 Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 2:27 pm Post subject: cool review |
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http://landofthekami.wordpress.com/
I recently had the pleasure of watching one of the most exciting, well made, and perfectly executed martial arts movies of all time! Bold statement you might say.
Well, we all know the classics like Enter the Dragon, Fist of Legend, Bloodsport, The Octagon, Drunken Master, and Nico. These movies came along and not only made world wide stars of the main performers, but also re-vitalised the action movie industry, creating an army of loyal fans with the inventive use of various martial combative arts and the stars own physical, kick ass prowess.
I admit UN-ashamedly to being one of the biggest loyal fans, and love all these movies and actors. This makes this gem of a movie, Undisputed 2 - Last Man Standing all the more surprising and satisfying to watch, because it stands up to any of the above and in places could be said to better than some.
The story follows George ‘The Iceman’ Chambers, the disgraced boxing world champion from the first Undisputed film (formally played by Ving Rhames), as he tries to resurrect his failing career by doing TV adverts in Russia, (little nod to Rocky). He is framed by the Russian Mafia and imprisoned in the most harsh and violent prison in Russia.
Once inside he is coerced into fighting the undefeated prison champ, so the mobsters and rich gamblers can bet big money on the outcome, (little nod to Best of the Best 2). Katza prison in Bulgaria was used to great effect as a location, and looks incredibly inhospitable and brutal. It really set the tone and helped sell the story. Apparently it’s much more comfortable in real life!!!!!
There are no real surprises in the formula plot, but it’s what director Isaac Florentine does with the limited budget that makes this movie special. His fantastic character development and also inventive camera work makes you transcend any limitations in the story arc and you simply get lost in the action.
Isaac gave up a successful Karate career in Israel to follow his dream for movie making to the U S. He has 7 feature films and numerous TV episodes to his name, including: Savate, Cold Harvest, U S Seals 2, and Power Rangers and he is currently are working on The Shepherd with none other than the legend that is Van Damme, so ‘nough said!
He obviously loves and understands martial arts, and subsequently puts his heart and soul into this film. Isaac really understands how to get the very best from his performers, and also knows where to place the camera to best effect during both the dramatic, and numerous fight scenes. He must be applauded and deserves to be given bigger budgets in free reign of projects. In my humble opinion the big studios should be banging his door down to work with him.
The rest of the cast are no less impressive and were clearly chosen very carefully for this film.
First is the often overlooked Michael Jai White playing the boxer Chambers. He is a black belt in 7 Karate styles, has 26 titles to his name, and has diligently trained from the age of 8. He is obviously a very accomplished martial artist, and at 6ft 2 with an impressively muscled frame makes a dominating leading man. Michael Jay White’s breakthrough was playing another boxing champ in The Tyson Biography, and has since appeared in Spawn, Exit wounds, Universal Soldier 2, and is currently working on The Dark Knight (the Batman movie). Michael is awesome in every scene he’s in. The fight scenes are spectacular and credit must be given to the fact that this guy can kick the doors off a Volvo and had to hold back his skill to play a boxer. He has worked hard on his acting also and is convincing in both the dramatic scenes and his great delivery of his numerous one liners - the shower scene is indeed very funny…
Next up is none other than our very own Scott Adkins. This guy was born to be a movie star, not just a screen fighter but a real A-list star. He plays the main protagonist, the Russian prison champ Uri Boyka. Special praise must go to him for his very convincing accent and acting. Scott is almost unrecognisable in this film, with close cropped hair, fake tattoos and scars and having piled on the muscle, he really looks the Evil bad guy. This being said, his character is not one dimensional, and has his own twisted moral martial code. Uri Boyka just wants to win fairly and be acknowledged as the best all round fighter alive. The Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, Ju Jutsu, and gymnastics he pulls off in this film are some of the best I have ever seen, no shit! It’s incredible to believe that someone his build can move and flip so well, even more so when you watch the special features and hear he feels that his size slowed him down, and he also had the flu while filming the fights. Scott’s general acting is superb, as he has very wisely appeared in some mainstream roles such as Holby City, Eastenders, and Doctors. His movie career is doing well with appearances in Special forces, The Medallion, Unleashed, Pitfighter, (spot him if you can), Pink Panther (French Footballer), The Bourne Ultimatum, and is now working on The Shepherd opposite Van Damme and under the direction of Isaac Florentine. (can’t wait for this one!).
It’s always great to see some Brits doing well. Good work Scott and watch out for his duel opposite Silvio Simac, a rare treat!
The support cast in this film are very good and engaging. Eli Danker is great as Crot and is the real heart of the story, the ever dependable Ben Cross provides a pivotal role as Stevie, and Mark Ivanir is interesting and charismatic as the mobster Gaga. They should all be applauded and proud of their work on this film.
Credit must also be given to the fight choreographer, the awesome JJ ‘Loco’ Perry. He has put together some of the most inventive, physically demanding, gritty and often brutal fights committed to celluloid. He pushed his leads Michael and Scott to their limits with long fluid Hong Kong style takes, and precise complicated kicks, blocks, throws, and takedowns. It is also worthy of note that there was no wires, CGI, or stunt men used during these fights - Ong Bak eat your heart out baby!
To round off:
Directed by Isaac Florentine, a man who knows how to make fights look incredible!!
Starring Michael Jay White and Scott Adkins, actors who are top of their game and give 200%!!
A great supporting cast, all very good and bring something individual to the story!!
Fights choreographed by JJ Perry, a very likable genius!!
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