jmarcel

Okay, this is not a real movie. It plays more like an old film student project complete with campy "special effects", cliche plot (the bank is trying to reposses the farm, let's stop them), and poor dialog and acting. Why would you watch it, then? Because of the Machado brothers. Even though the fights are staged and sometimes poorly executed, it is fun to watch the Machados demonstrate real Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). They had to include the flashy moves such as flying armlocks and Judo flips because this is an action movie. What makes these fights different from your typical action fights are that the techniques used in the film are the actual BJJ techniques you'd learn in a BJJ class.

The graininess of the film and poor acting will cause even the most devoted action junkie to laugh this movie off. This movie is really for fans of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the Machado brothers who spout old one-liners like "this is bullsh%&." There are some nice fight sequences showcasing the BJJ style. Only recommended for martial arts fans who are currently fascinated with BJJ.

Just the face the fact right up front: This movie borrows heavily from the Matrix. The hairstyle, the clothing, the kung-fu fighting, the whole look of the movie. Heck, Christian Bale even tries to look like Keanu. Okay, we get it. Whoo hoo. you're a genius for pointing that out.

Now, go rent/buy this movie. The mood of the picture is bit darker than the Matrix, but the fight scenes are amazing!! Yes, it even includes a gun fight at close hand-to-hand combat range! Truly amazing!

I like that one reviewer's complaint that the story was just too unreallistic because hand guns would never be able to take out military issue rifles or something like that. Yeah, I agree, the Matrix's story was much more realistic. :roll eyes.

The intent of the film was good, however, the execution lacked the emotional punch that could have resulted from the storyline. We've seen the subplots before: the angry officer sympathizes with the foreigners, the big misfit befriends a young boy, the rebel in the crowd shouting out against the system..etc.

This is a quiet film and while not that bad, it didn't seem to capture the elements of "camp life" well enough to give me a sense of the refugee's fear of leaving the safe camp and starting a new life in America. There were moments in the film that had potential, but overall, it seemed a dull cinematic experience.

Not much happens in this movie. Go see "Heaven and Earth" instead.