The Martial Artist

I was blown away by this movie. Shaz Khan delivers a deeply personal and compelling story about Ibby "The Prince" Bakran, a Pakistani-American MMA fighter whose journey is as much about conquering his inner demons as it is about winning in the ring. The film's striking blend of high-octane fight sequences set against the desolate beauty of Death Valley and the lush serenity of Pakistan creates a unique visual feast that enhances Ibby's emotional voyage. Khan's raw performance, alongside standout supporting turns from Sanam Saeed and Faran Tahir, pulls you into a world where ambition and personal loss collide, and where rediscovering one's roots becomes the ultimate path to redemption.

What really sets the film apart is its fearless fusion of East and West, a cultural dialogue not often seen in the MMA genre. Despite some narrative rough edges and moments that feel a bit rushed, the authenticity in every frame, from the meticulously choreographed combat scenes to the breathtaking natural landscapes, makes it an unforgettable experience. I'm giving The Martial Artist 9 stars for its bold vision, heartfelt storytelling, and the impressive way it marries intense physicality with genuine emotional depth.

The directorial debut of Shaz Khan is not only about a martial artist, as the title says, but a story of human connections. Ibby's complex family dynamics are very relatable. The movie is an emotional roller coaster highlighting the journey of an angry and scared young man learning to face his fears. He's seeking the truth about his identity while managing the relationships with his loved ones. Ibby's journey is soulful and kept me engaged throughout the movie.

Shaz has beautifully blended both eastern and western cultures. The fight scenes were realistic and meticulously choreographed. They showed how intensely he trained for this role. The story, though a little confusing at times, didn't take anything from the movie. I am in complete awe of the gorgeous cinematography. Shaz has done justice to the beautiful landscape of Pakistan. As an actor Shaz was excellent, and his costars - Thesa Loving, Babar Peerzada, Faran Tahir & Sanam Saeed - all performed exceedingly well. Beautiful background score was serene & intense at the same time depending on scenes. It truly touched my heart.

His hard work and dedication to his craft are apparent. Shaz - you've done a remarkable job. We look forward to seeing you on the silver screen in years to come!

The movie starts of a little fast for the first 30 minutes or so with scenes seeming unfinished at the start but after movie the goes to Pakistan it gets much better with amazing visuals and choreography. As it comes to the mid section and ending the cuts are less dramatic and we the audience are able to take in the emotions more with beautiful acting done by all the cast

I would recommend this to everyone but not the dubbed version, the dubbed doesn't mesh well with unclear dialogue in some of the dialogues

I would absolutely recommend at this time when movies have became stagnant and lack luster.

Shaz khan did a phenomenal job. From the acting to the scenes, directing as well as casting. The movie was brilliant and well put together- thoroughly enjoyable. I was engrossed in the hints as well as details of each scene curious to watch this boy find his way. I laughed and cried. The movie had depth to it and didn't feel like your average cinema. That is what made this film so special. The fight scenes were intense and Shaz's training and hard work was apparent. The spots chosen were epic, from the desert to the mountains and Belize. The green kurtas for that fight scene? Well chosen.

A heartwarming film about a young boy who finds his passion trying to make a career in fighting aka MMA. He's ambitious, it's personal but he's very angry. Angry about the loss of his father, the struggles his mother went through financially to raise them, not being able to provide for his rich girlfriend who he desires to be able to take care of, angry about the lack of support in the cultural community for his chosen career path and his mothers disappointment towards him. Shaz did a great job of capturing the cultural barriers and nuances of his character well and the perfect scene for this was at a community event where all south Asian kids can attest to- the perfect place to fall prey or find themselves in the ring with full blown jabs from uncles and aunty's.

After an incident where his mother publicly shames him at an event, he gets triggered and continues to deal with it in the way always known to him. Ibby also copes with substances and loses control of himself in an addiction. His ego doesn't allow anyone to help him, even his brother.

The turning point for him is when his brother dies. He felt responsible for his death and was unable to accept that he was gone. Ibbys compounded grief gets the best of him and the relationships around him. Ibby was strong and fought many fights and won hence "the prince" but he was not ready for the internal fight the one necessary to conquer. Ibby is lost. His brother coached him through his techniques on physically fighting but was unable to coach his mind. Ibby was not ready to listen.

The second half focuses on the art of fighting- attainting mental resilience and spiritual guidance which was intriguing. Shaz directed scenes very well capturing the state of peace Ibby reaches through profound dialogues from Farhan Tahir "dada". There was a non verbal script to tune into as well as the few words of wisdom that communicated large lessons. One of my favorite lines "you are not depressed, you are not allowing expansion". And the scene where he reaches internal peace captured through the sounds of birds and serenity atop a green mountains. Ibbys grandfather helps him face it all and Ibbys fragmented sense of self becomes whole. The message- that once you are unified, felt your pain, liberated from constructs, you can see things clearly- gauging your opponents moves, planning and problem solving

Ibbys transformation stage, the tail end of the movie was brilliant. His beard, the look of an enlightened person, grounded, ready, connected culturally- whole. There are so many themes Shaz tapped into I don't think I can compile it all here. The end fight scene captured how his body was as dada said "just a vessel" and that his mind is what kept him from falling. He won the fight because his mind kept his body strong- mind over matter. It was definitely high level but also something in it for everyone. All and all a wonderfully depicted film and definitely my favorite film so far! We need more films like this. Thank you for your contribution and epic, invigorating film.

From the moment the lights dimmed, the audience was irresistibly drawn into the world of Ibby, a martial artist whose journey lay fraught with unexpected hardships that resonate deeply with the struggles we all face in life. As Ibby navigates the trials and tribulations of his path, the film transcending a martial arts narrative, evolving into a spiritually guided journey that invites viewers to reflect on their own burdens and the meaning of existence when the earth beneath our feet shifts beyond all recognition.

Each challenge encountered by Ibby serves as a powerful homage to the battles we all face, making the experience feel both personal and universal. The film pays tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, portraying the undeniable collective strength that is imbedded in being an active part of, and supporting a spiritual system much greater than any individual mortal. It beautifully illustrates a system that pushes believers to the brink, where the only option remaining is to surpass what is perceived as humanly possible. It encourages us to confront our own fears that lurk in the shadows of personal doubt as we strive to overcome the most daunting obstacles.

Ibby's unwavering commitment to prevail against all odds, fueled by a belief that transcends the pain of even the darkest days, is conveyed with such authenticity that it fills the room with an overwhelming sense of collective emotion. This is a feeling I've never experienced in a cinematic setting before; it was as if we were all connected by the shared weight of our struggles and the hope for redemption. The experience lingered long after the credits rolled, leaving me with a profound hunger for understanding the strength that lies within us all, especially when it feels as though the odds are stacked miles high against us.