Arena Wars

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.

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fair, though I can't claim to be a fan of neither Michael Madsen or Eric Roberts, both of which look like they have been replaced by replicas from Wish with zero on screen energy.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

Just watching the first few minutes, I see this as a poor man's Running Man.

The Stephen King story with 1987 version with Arnold Schwarzenegger and the upcoming 2025 version with Glenn Powell.

No where close to the orginal Running Man and trying to get out there before the next version.

The violence and language is somewhat expected, but, the acting is not believable, especially the announcing team that is hosting the Arena Wars.

I could not finish the movie as the announcing teams voices were not clear and the overall audio in the movie focused too much on bad music or the crowds reactions, which was shown way too much.

So, I gave it a 3 star only bad.for the actor's giving a good effort, but, the material to work with in this version was.

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.

The most annoying thing about this is the audio, a lot of chat is sounded out by the music or the cheering crowd. Even when the background noise is softened the talking audio is still low so be prepared to put on the subtitles.

The whipping sound effects when a kick or punch is thrown are so over exaggerated that I think the sound department must have been hired right out of cartoon productions.

Even seasoned actors can't add any clout, if anything it shows their own weaknesses as actors.

Madsen in particular, who has been in some blockbuster movies absolutely stunk throughout this movie.

It's as bad as a bad 80s b movie.