16 reseñas
- tarbosh22000
- 17 feb 2022
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- hwg1957-102-265704
- 25 oct 2022
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The premise is unremarkable, but has potential. The dialogue is wretched and inauthentic in the first place, carries a lot of empty, tough-talking hot air, and like the scene writing is filled with tropes and contrivances that feel like Action-Thriller Movie-Making 101. There are some light touches of humor scattered throughout the length, though most such attempted levity is just flat and dull. Michael B. Schmidt's score doesn't make much of an impression, though some themes bear chords that catch one's ear in passing. Editing and camerawork is overzealous, cutting and moving too quickly to meaningfully sustain any given instance or allow it to resonate, and that includes action sequences as much as shots of the surrounding environment, or character moments. Filming on location in Thailand gives us plenty of beautiful scenery to enjoy, in addition to fine set design and decoration, but the most pristine nature is wasted on the film-making illustrated here.
'Death fighter' isn't abjectly terrible, but nor is it particularly good - and with so many other movies out there in the world to watch, there's not a lot of reason to spend time on this one.
Protagonist Michael is astoundingly ignorant, and dialogue and scene writing treats viewers like we are, too. (Watch for the moment Bobby Pau informs Michael, and audiences, that a dance incorporates martial arts.) Not one character in the screenplay is written as anything more than a thin archetype (or arguably stereotype). The fight choreography is pretty great throughout, though somewhat declines the finesse and resourcefulness we'd expect from any given martial arts flick in favor of more seemingly visceral, exaggerated sequences. 'Death fighter' sometimes feels less like a martial arts movie (or at least a film containing a fair share of such disciplines), and more like a coarse homage to one. And again, I must emphasize that overly excitable camerawork and editing distinctly and needlessly embellishes the action, and detracts from it.
This is also true of the acting. I won't pretend that anyone involved is a world-class actor, and Matt Mullins is almost certainly the weakest link among the ensemble, but there are occasional glimmers of heart and sincerity. Chiranan Manochaem, while apparently having no other film or TV credits to her name, nonetheless stands out as possibly the best actor present, demonstrating some nuance and range. Hers is only a supporting part, but it's a cheeky bit of fun to see Cynthia Rothrock in a rare antagonistic role, and she ably portrays Valerie's hard-nosed contempt. Yet all this is rendered pointless by a film-making approach that seemingly tries to employ brusque, rough construction to synthesize the thrills and drama that should manifest organically in an earnestly worthwhile picture.
There are good ideas here. For all the bluster, 'Death fighter' can claim a promising if familiar concept. If imperfect as they present, there's intelligence behind the fundamental orchestration of action scenes. Features of this tenor don't require award-winning acting to work, but I think the cast show they have some capability. Broadly unremarkable as it is in the grand scheme of things, I think there's plenty here to enjoy. However, Lawrence Riggins' screenplay is flawed and uneven, and Toby Russell's direction is questionable. What real value there is in this title is substantially weakened by common, conventional, and tawdry if not altogether tedious filler.
I want to like this more than I do. While at large it's nothing out of the ordinary, the fight scenes and stunts are done well enough that I want to hold the movie in higher esteem. But then I think once more of the deep, tired faults, and I can't bring myself to offer more praise. 'Death fighter' is a passable action flick, but a lot more care needed to go into the writing and direction before I could truly recommend it. Alas.
'Death fighter' isn't abjectly terrible, but nor is it particularly good - and with so many other movies out there in the world to watch, there's not a lot of reason to spend time on this one.
Protagonist Michael is astoundingly ignorant, and dialogue and scene writing treats viewers like we are, too. (Watch for the moment Bobby Pau informs Michael, and audiences, that a dance incorporates martial arts.) Not one character in the screenplay is written as anything more than a thin archetype (or arguably stereotype). The fight choreography is pretty great throughout, though somewhat declines the finesse and resourcefulness we'd expect from any given martial arts flick in favor of more seemingly visceral, exaggerated sequences. 'Death fighter' sometimes feels less like a martial arts movie (or at least a film containing a fair share of such disciplines), and more like a coarse homage to one. And again, I must emphasize that overly excitable camerawork and editing distinctly and needlessly embellishes the action, and detracts from it.
This is also true of the acting. I won't pretend that anyone involved is a world-class actor, and Matt Mullins is almost certainly the weakest link among the ensemble, but there are occasional glimmers of heart and sincerity. Chiranan Manochaem, while apparently having no other film or TV credits to her name, nonetheless stands out as possibly the best actor present, demonstrating some nuance and range. Hers is only a supporting part, but it's a cheeky bit of fun to see Cynthia Rothrock in a rare antagonistic role, and she ably portrays Valerie's hard-nosed contempt. Yet all this is rendered pointless by a film-making approach that seemingly tries to employ brusque, rough construction to synthesize the thrills and drama that should manifest organically in an earnestly worthwhile picture.
There are good ideas here. For all the bluster, 'Death fighter' can claim a promising if familiar concept. If imperfect as they present, there's intelligence behind the fundamental orchestration of action scenes. Features of this tenor don't require award-winning acting to work, but I think the cast show they have some capability. Broadly unremarkable as it is in the grand scheme of things, I think there's plenty here to enjoy. However, Lawrence Riggins' screenplay is flawed and uneven, and Toby Russell's direction is questionable. What real value there is in this title is substantially weakened by common, conventional, and tawdry if not altogether tedious filler.
I want to like this more than I do. While at large it's nothing out of the ordinary, the fight scenes and stunts are done well enough that I want to hold the movie in higher esteem. But then I think once more of the deep, tired faults, and I can't bring myself to offer more praise. 'Death fighter' is a passable action flick, but a lot more care needed to go into the writing and direction before I could truly recommend it. Alas.
- I_Ailurophile
- 7 may 2022
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Overview: This film is worth watching for the exotic locale, straightforward plot and realistic fight sequences.
I think that "Death Fighter" marks the successful return of Cynthia Rothrock and Don Wilson to high-quality martial arts cinema. This is my first Matt Mullins film, but he is highly skilled and trained.
The plot is quite familiar and we have all seen the characters before, but film does an excellent job at leveraging the beauty of the Thai jungle and the rawness of the streets.
I think the film appropriately approaches the ugly reality of human trafficking by using a fast-paced plot and focusing on the interactions between the characters.
Having visited Thailand, lived in Manila and studied kung fu in China, I can honestly say that the martial arts sequences were excellent and well-choreographed.
There are excellent fight scenes in congested spaces with multiple opponents that pay homage to the masters of Hong Kong martial arts cinema.
This film won't win any Oscars, but it has won a place in my highly selective movie collection.
Note: this film reminded me of other recent, excellent martial arts filmed in the SE Asia, two of which also raise important awareness about human trafficking.
-Dolph Lundren/Tony Jaa in "Skin Trade" -Scott Atkins in "Hard Target 2" -JCVD in "Pound of Flesh"
I think that "Death Fighter" marks the successful return of Cynthia Rothrock and Don Wilson to high-quality martial arts cinema. This is my first Matt Mullins film, but he is highly skilled and trained.
The plot is quite familiar and we have all seen the characters before, but film does an excellent job at leveraging the beauty of the Thai jungle and the rawness of the streets.
I think the film appropriately approaches the ugly reality of human trafficking by using a fast-paced plot and focusing on the interactions between the characters.
Having visited Thailand, lived in Manila and studied kung fu in China, I can honestly say that the martial arts sequences were excellent and well-choreographed.
There are excellent fight scenes in congested spaces with multiple opponents that pay homage to the masters of Hong Kong martial arts cinema.
This film won't win any Oscars, but it has won a place in my highly selective movie collection.
Note: this film reminded me of other recent, excellent martial arts filmed in the SE Asia, two of which also raise important awareness about human trafficking.
-Dolph Lundren/Tony Jaa in "Skin Trade" -Scott Atkins in "Hard Target 2" -JCVD in "Pound of Flesh"
- qqknowlton-85783
- 25 jul 2017
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Right, well a movie released in 2020 that starred both Don Wilson and Cynthia Rothrock? Well, I can't exactly say that I had much of any expectations for a movie such as this, as both those had their peak back in the 1990s.
But still, I was given the chance to sit down and watch "Death Fighter", so of course I did, as I like to watch movies that I haven't seen before. And on the chance that the movie would be surprising, why not watch it?
Turns out that "Death Fighter" - a title that makes absolutely no sense to the plot of the movie - was mediocre at best. It definitely felt like I was watching some action movie that was made in the 1990s, for better or worse.
The storyline was simplistic, to be truthful. An American is in Thailand to help catch some criminal, and ends up enlisting the help of two locals to take down a vicious crime syndicate. So it is the stereotypical arch of a few good guys against a great number of bad guys.
One thing that always amuse me in movies such as "Death Fighter", is how the good guys (or heroes) can easily shoot goons and minions left and right without even blinking, taking down one per bullet. But when they are shooting at the main bad guy, they can't hit water even if they fell from a boat. It is just stupid.
This is an action movie mixed up with martial arts elements. It had plenty of both, for sure, but it wasn't action sequences or martial arts sequences that made me go "wow", not even in the least bit. The action was adequate, but the martial arts scenes were scripted and it showed on the screen.
I managed to sit through the entire movie, and was moderately entertained. At least enough to rate "Death Fighter" a mediocre five out of ten stars. However, this is hardly a movie that I will be returning to watch a second time, nor is it a movie that I would rush out to recommend people to watch.
But still, I was given the chance to sit down and watch "Death Fighter", so of course I did, as I like to watch movies that I haven't seen before. And on the chance that the movie would be surprising, why not watch it?
Turns out that "Death Fighter" - a title that makes absolutely no sense to the plot of the movie - was mediocre at best. It definitely felt like I was watching some action movie that was made in the 1990s, for better or worse.
The storyline was simplistic, to be truthful. An American is in Thailand to help catch some criminal, and ends up enlisting the help of two locals to take down a vicious crime syndicate. So it is the stereotypical arch of a few good guys against a great number of bad guys.
One thing that always amuse me in movies such as "Death Fighter", is how the good guys (or heroes) can easily shoot goons and minions left and right without even blinking, taking down one per bullet. But when they are shooting at the main bad guy, they can't hit water even if they fell from a boat. It is just stupid.
This is an action movie mixed up with martial arts elements. It had plenty of both, for sure, but it wasn't action sequences or martial arts sequences that made me go "wow", not even in the least bit. The action was adequate, but the martial arts scenes were scripted and it showed on the screen.
I managed to sit through the entire movie, and was moderately entertained. At least enough to rate "Death Fighter" a mediocre five out of ten stars. However, this is hardly a movie that I will be returning to watch a second time, nor is it a movie that I would rush out to recommend people to watch.
- paul_m_haakonsen
- 1 may 2020
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- Leofwine_draca
- 13 may 2021
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I would recommend this movie to people who like martial arts action movies so much that they are OK with the lack of realistic scenes in the movie. Be ready to see how 3-4 guys are fighting against a gang of trained mercenaries armed with automatic guns. I'm not that person, hence the rating. Acting is average and the plot is full of clichés.
- jjordan-46114
- 28 jul 2017
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This is a mildly entertaining movie if you are a martial arts movie fan. The acting is mediocre at best but its nostalgic quality does make it a bit more enjoyable than it otherwise would have been. The fight scenes are so so -- some of them pretty bad to the point of being funny.
Not a horrible movie but not very good either --
- rdamian1963
- 12 may 2020
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Don Wilson must have gotten his so called championship title out of a cracker jack box because I've seen 5 year olds fight better than him. Every fight he is in, his hands are down & they beat him senseless. If he actually knew how to fight then one punch & they would be out & not get up.
Bruce Lee said it best about Hollywood chop-socky type movies. Every strike CAN BE a lethal strike but not every one is when he fought for real & typical stupid martial arts films have no clue on how to fight.
Don't waste your time on this movie, watching paint dry is far more exciting.
Bruce Lee said it best about Hollywood chop-socky type movies. Every strike CAN BE a lethal strike but not every one is when he fought for real & typical stupid martial arts films have no clue on how to fight.
Don't waste your time on this movie, watching paint dry is far more exciting.
- shroomhq
- 21 abr 2021
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Matt Mullins, Don The Dragon Wilson, Cynthia Rothrock. This movie was made by peoples very passionate about the martial arts movie industry and it show.
Obviously this is a low budget movie and it is totally aimed at the fans of those main actors listed above. Is it good? Yes it is. Is it perfect? Nop...
Matt Mullins plays a very credible and lovable lead. Don Wilson plays a decent "sidekick" and both of them show they can still kick major asses ! Matt look just as young as 10 years ago and still move like it while Don obviously has aged but still does much better than Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme combined despite being of similar age.
Cynthia Rothrock plays on the villain team this time around and to keep this spoiler free, i will only say that her screen presence is limited but more of a simple cameo as some of her most recent roles. She does fight on screen.
The fights are pretty good. There is a few jump cuts and camera angle changes at times, a little more than i had wish for, but overall they still immerse you very well in the movie and even tough not "Boyka Level" they do are way above most western movies i see in that budget bracket.
The story is probably the weak spot of the movie. The context that start the movie leaves you a bit wondering and even tough the characters motivations are clearly stated afterward, i had trouble getting behind them a little. Its not that there acting is not convincing, its really just how the story is borough up. At times i was like "cmon ... lets have some fight now please" . Thanksfully the third act has plenty of them and they are rather satisfying.
It is worth mentioning that i had no idea who was Prasit Suanphaka and Chiranan Manochaem and they deliver some kick ass action ! Overall i feel this is movie made by peoples passionate about the martial arts industry FOR the lovers of those. Its not great by any mean and at times the small budget does show, but yet the peoples involved managed to work around that to deliver a very decent and enjoyable movie. Pretty much a love letter at the fans of low budget Martial Arts movies.
Boyka's crown is easily safe, but a solid effort !
Obviously this is a low budget movie and it is totally aimed at the fans of those main actors listed above. Is it good? Yes it is. Is it perfect? Nop...
Matt Mullins plays a very credible and lovable lead. Don Wilson plays a decent "sidekick" and both of them show they can still kick major asses ! Matt look just as young as 10 years ago and still move like it while Don obviously has aged but still does much better than Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme combined despite being of similar age.
Cynthia Rothrock plays on the villain team this time around and to keep this spoiler free, i will only say that her screen presence is limited but more of a simple cameo as some of her most recent roles. She does fight on screen.
The fights are pretty good. There is a few jump cuts and camera angle changes at times, a little more than i had wish for, but overall they still immerse you very well in the movie and even tough not "Boyka Level" they do are way above most western movies i see in that budget bracket.
The story is probably the weak spot of the movie. The context that start the movie leaves you a bit wondering and even tough the characters motivations are clearly stated afterward, i had trouble getting behind them a little. Its not that there acting is not convincing, its really just how the story is borough up. At times i was like "cmon ... lets have some fight now please" . Thanksfully the third act has plenty of them and they are rather satisfying.
It is worth mentioning that i had no idea who was Prasit Suanphaka and Chiranan Manochaem and they deliver some kick ass action ! Overall i feel this is movie made by peoples passionate about the martial arts industry FOR the lovers of those. Its not great by any mean and at times the small budget does show, but yet the peoples involved managed to work around that to deliver a very decent and enjoyable movie. Pretty much a love letter at the fans of low budget Martial Arts movies.
Boyka's crown is easily safe, but a solid effort !
- destroyerwod
- 3 ago 2017
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When I found out this movie was made in 2017 I was shocked. Either they rented out the worst cameras or something because this screamed one of those awful 90s TV movies and we've all seen our share of them. Save your time and or money and watch Rambo 2 or 4 instead. This is like a dollar store version of one of those for the most part.
The main character is so incredibly boring. The partner in this (Joe Lewis) it actually surprised me that he was not the director of the movie how fat, old and out of shape he was. Cynthia Rothrock and Don The Dragon Wilson's salaries for this movie could have been spent elsewhere to get a better product. I'll admit the main character has his moments where he can fight but I wouldn't have cast him on his martial arts skills alone.
This movie does absolutely nothing original, Cynthia saying to one person you wouldn't shoot a woman" was one of the dumbest scenes in the movie. Even one of the actors inadvertently says she's too old for this movie if you misinterpret it. Although she has pretty high billing in this movie, yet it's like one Steven Seagal's later movies and There is so little plot in this movie I had to give this a second sitting to see if I missed anything as originally I just had this on in the background while I looked for stuff to buy online. However the second sitting. Where I paid close attention to the dialogue I didn't miss a thing it turned out.
And that last shoot out was like something out of Scarface with Al Pacino. It was just insulting! I doubt anyone would remember seeing this movie in 2 or 3 years.
The main character is so incredibly boring. The partner in this (Joe Lewis) it actually surprised me that he was not the director of the movie how fat, old and out of shape he was. Cynthia Rothrock and Don The Dragon Wilson's salaries for this movie could have been spent elsewhere to get a better product. I'll admit the main character has his moments where he can fight but I wouldn't have cast him on his martial arts skills alone.
This movie does absolutely nothing original, Cynthia saying to one person you wouldn't shoot a woman" was one of the dumbest scenes in the movie. Even one of the actors inadvertently says she's too old for this movie if you misinterpret it. Although she has pretty high billing in this movie, yet it's like one Steven Seagal's later movies and There is so little plot in this movie I had to give this a second sitting to see if I missed anything as originally I just had this on in the background while I looked for stuff to buy online. However the second sitting. Where I paid close attention to the dialogue I didn't miss a thing it turned out.
And that last shoot out was like something out of Scarface with Al Pacino. It was just insulting! I doubt anyone would remember seeing this movie in 2 or 3 years.
- talllwoood13
- 2 feb 2024
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I had a great time making it with my friends and hope the audience will enjoy it as well. Joe Lewis (RIP) did a fantastic job and it's always fun to with Cynthia that I felt like I was on vacation! I was also VERY impressed with Matt Mullins Jawed El Berni!
- ddragonw
- 25 ene 2018
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Not a big budget film by any stretch but it does have a lot of hard hitting martial arts and some really good action scenes. And it seems to be shot on location in Asia. It's great seeing Don 'The Dragon' Wilso, Cynthia Rothrock, Matt Mullins, and Joe Lewis all in one film. It's an enjoyable film and a fun ride!
- showbizla-04272
- 15 ago 2017
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To be honest, I was not expecting much from this movie. Though I love martial arts films, I only watched this one because I live in Thailand, and enjoy Thai movies. Having studied martial arts, I was amazed and quite pleased with the fight scenes in this! That said, kudos to the camera-men for capturing it all so well, and editing crew. I had never heard of Director Toby Russell, but will be looking out for more of his work. The Thai language sequences have English subs, but the Thai is beginner level. It's extra amusing if you speak any Thai, and listen to actor Matt Mullins chop the language, speaking the feminine version of hello, in imitation of the woman he would impress... 'ka' instead of 'kup'! A Thai might speculate about whether he identifies as the third sex: a lady-boy, trans-gendered person etc. Death Fighter is only 88 minutes, and feels like less. It's a fun, easy to follow little film. I thought it was slightly under-rated, having nothing overtly wrong with it. A few laughs, lots of great fights. If that's not your thing, don't watch it. But I would rate it a 7.5, leaning towards an 8/10.
- sdb-90560
- 16 nov 2017
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One of the best martial arts action movies I've seen in recent years. They say they don't make 'em like they used to, but they did here. Mullins is an accomplished stunt/fight choreographer but this is just more proof he needs to be in front of the camera more often. A good showcase for The Dragon too, one of his best in years. Good to see Rothrock in some good scenes as well. Filled with great fight scenes, never a dull moment.
- andaxeman
- 28 jul 2018
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My family and I really appreciated watching Death Fighter. We enjoyed it so much, we went and purchased the DVD to watch more in the future. Great martial art film credited to producer. She is brilliant in her selection of location, actors, and best of all fantastic martial arts sceneries.
- khimgray
- 3 ago 2017
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