The Art of Self-Defense

This film tells the story of a man who learns karate for self defense.

The film starts off quite innocent, but soon descends into morbid darkness which I have not expected. It is so dark that I worry it might give karate a bad name! It is disturbing, but engaging as well.

It is refreshing to see a movie that is not like the typical garbage we have come to expect from Hollywood. This movie is not for shallow minded folks who like to be spoon fed typical brain dead movie fodder.

Now, I'm not into artsy clever films. I normally like stuff with some action or drama. The only reason I watched this was that I was looking for a film to watch on a Sunday night rather than just another series.

It definitely has that low budget feel and almost film student look about it, but for some reason I was dragged along with it. It's definitely a bit different, dark and a bit clever. You think you know where it's going - and it does go there, but has a bunch of other directions that you didn't see coming. Some might argue that it's a bit random - like someone had a bunch of ideas, but only one film so they mashed them altogether. Either way, for me, it worked.

It's not going to appeal to everyone and this is evident by the reviews. Give it a try. It's certainly different to the usual copycat rubbish.

When I first saw the trailer for this film I knew I had to see it. It looked like it was going to be a wonderful dark comedy centered around karate of all things. I've never heard of the filmmaker of this movie but the idea of Jesse Eisenberg learning karate to fend off bullies and delivering deadpan delivery is alluring in and of itself. The film manages to blend its comedy and thrills extremely well and is a really good time all around. I was unsure about the closing stages of the film but it is certainly a remarkably entertaining and unique time.

The film is about a timid accountant who one day is mugged and beaten severely by a motorcycle gang. He decides that he wants to learn how to defend himself and stumbles across a karate gym that immediately intrigues him. He meets a very bizarre Sensei and quickly tries to assimilate the skills he learns to improve all aspects of his life and become more manly. Little does he know the darkness within the underworld of this karate world.

I loved Eisenberg's character in this. To see his character progress and to watch the confidence grow, its a joy. The Sensei character is also so entertaining. The films script is so sharp in all the right places. Even the serious moments are funny because of the dark comedic writing. That makes it worthwhile. Its also refreshing to see a look into the world of karate and the growth in stature in the art, whether this film plays it to be factual or makes up stuff.

As the film was winding down you felt the twists and turns coming and also hope the film doesn't fall apart. Luckily, it doesn't and manages to stay intact with respect to the tone of the first half of the film. This may fly under a lot of people's radars but I wish for everyone to go and see this.I don't think I've actually seen anything quite like this before. Its unique in its nature and has fun with a very creative plot.

8/10

I totally understand if some are not even remotely smitten by how akward and weird this movie is. This may come off as a bit of a Karate Kid/Cobra Kai ripoff or something that wants to take advantage of the fact the show gained so much popularity. But while I didn't do any research on how this came to fruition, I am very confident that this very adult take on Self Defense works even without the other show in mind. Now when I say adult, I mean that this is quite violent and quite graphic with that violence at points. So while there is some male nudity in this, I am not referring to anything sexual regarding the adult part. But that is another thing: While I reckon it is predictable when it comes to where the characters stand or where the story goes (at some point you'll figure it out), it is told with such great affection and such great attention to detail, that if you dig it, you will love it to the core! This really holds up the tone it sets from beginning to the end. Something not all movies are capable of doing. Especially in the strange/weird category. I would have wanted to have watched this in a cinema, but finding this little gem on a streaming plattform isn't that bad either. Not for the faint hearted or the easily offended ... but everyone else should give it a go.