Arena Wars

I have to say that I harbored absolutely zero expectations to the 2024 movie "Arena Wars" given a cast ensemble with the likes of Michael Madsen, Eric Roberts and Robert LaSardo as the most prominent names and performers. Yet, I still opted to watch the movie on account of it being a movie that I had never seen, nor actually ever heard about.

The concept of "Arena Wars" was simplistic, so very, very simplistic. It was essentially just watching inmates serving life sentences going up against armed gladiators on TV for entertaining the masses and for a chance to achieve freedom. That was basically everything the movie was offering. Writers Brandon Slagle, Michael Mahal and Sonny Mahal didn't exactly put together an outstanding or memorable script or storyline.

The acting performances in the movie were fair, though I can't claim to be a fan of neither Michael Madsen or Eric Roberts, both of which look like they have been replaced by replicas from Wish with zero on screen energy.

I will say that there was actually enough senseless violence and action in the movie to keep it relatively afloat, at least to a level where it was a watchable enough movie.

While "Arena Wars" was a semi-watchable movie, it is hardly one that warrants more than just a single viewing.

My rating of director Brandon Slagle's 2024 movie "Arena Wars" lands on a four out of ten stars.

I watch a lot of B grade movies and I never write reviews but this was something else.

It's not even fun bad, it's just bad.

Don't waste your time. This entire thing was filmed in one room. Sure the sets change but it's all small sets. The acting is shockingly bad. There isn't even one character you want to get behind.

The main guy tries to be a generic marine but is hard to believe.

The audience watching the arena wars always have the same clothes even though there are days apart at times.

Almost every shot is close ups so they don't have to reveal the lack of sets and how small they are.

Please don't watch it whatever you do.

Anyone giving this a 3+ is obviously a bot/paid/trolling this is not a movie, its so bad its like a classroom skit the entire set is literally the size of your living room if that the only redeeming quality is that they hired a semi-good looking protagonist, but just because he looks fit, he still sucks at acting.

Script - 1 pacing - 1 concept - 2 whoever wrote the dialogue - 0 i can't even follow the story uh whoever balanced out the audio - -10, dude, you CAN'T HEAR the people speaking... 100% sure that the movie is directed by some college kids this is so bad, please just save your 90 minutes of your life..

The shows premise is a direct rip off of Schwarzenegger's 1987 film, "The Running Man" except it doesn't have the amazing Arnold Schwarzenegger. Many characters are direct derivatives from that show, and they are poorly portrayed by unknown "actors" and "actresses". Ultimately the storyline is mundane and incredibly predictable. Acting by any of the main characters is poor at best, and Michael Madsen needed more sarcastic screen time, which he doesn't get. The set must have cost less than the arena for American Gladiators, and the action sequences were choreographed by a 12 year old boy. Skip it.

The 90s called and they want their plot back. It was definitely written by a bunch of incel writers with no respeect for women or good writing. It's an old story line, done better almost every other time it has been done. If all you care about is gore and boobs than maybe this movie is perfect for you. If not I would recommend watching something else. Do not waste your time with this one. I am shocked they got so many old semi famous actors involved in this project. I guess they weren't getting cast in anything else and needed the money. Watch it at your own wrisk. You have been warned. Take that as you like.