Undefeated

Leguizamos ego that is. This guy has been handed carte blance by HBO for some reason, to do whatever he wants. He's really bad, his comedy is unfunny and his drama comedic. This movie is the Latino version of about 22 fight pictures all nonsensically quilted together. The scenes and dialogue are about as fresh as bread crumbs. Just all unimaginative cliche, but a few real hotties, I must admit. Watch it for the nudity if you must. Otherwise, NEXT!!!

I am a tremendous John Leguizamo fan and avidly support him and his films. I must preface my assessment with that so you can see my biases. I was afforded the outstanding opportunity of watching an advanced screening of this film last night to which Kathy DeMarco (Exec. Prod.) attended. She informed us that this was the culmination of 5 years of work. This was a particularly exciting experience for me because it was Leguizamo's directorial debut. From the opening moment the film was interesting and enjoyable. It represented a fairly accurate presentation of the street and a particular lifestyle. Knowing how much time when into the preparation for this film I was slightly discouraged because I really felt he was rehashing some old material here. He plays a young street guy trying to make his way up the ladder, he makes, forgets his friends, and then realizes he needs them again. Sounds a lot like "Empire" to me! I had to ask where the risks or challenges were in this role for him. As far as the directing I was really impressed and look forward to seeing more. The music was phenomenal and the boxing scenes were very realistic. There were no cheesy, obviously fake punches or choreography. This was a terrific movie and had he not just done "Empire" I think I would feel even more strongly about it. Finally, the ending stirred up some strong responses from the crowd - so be prepared...A good movie with great directing, great performances, great music, and an ok script. You decide for yourself...

I don't know if this movie could have been any worse if it tried. My two roommates and I were totally pumped up to see this film, we set a timer on the TV and all ran into the living room when the timer went off and sat attentively on the couch like dogs about to be fed.

When it was over, we slowly got up and walked out of the room without saying a word to each other. The movie was so bad it left us speechless. This farce of a film was nothing more than a way for John Leguizamo to live out his boxing fantasies. I recommend avoiding it at all costs.

UNDEFEATED explores the boxing genre in a real, raw, and at times funny way. The boxing sequences are some of the best I've ever seen; people are actually fighting, there's no bull.

The film has a noir quality to it: dark and moody, filled with the complexities that follow us when we pursue our dreams.

Terrific performances from John Leguizamo, newcomer Adrian Martinez as "Chewey," and Nester Serrano as John's trainer. The rest of the cast is rock-solid too.

If you expect this film to be a laughfest like Leguizamo's one man shows, you will be disappointed. Instead, UNDEFEATED reveals the dramatic, complex Leguizamo; and an authentic look at the friends we may have to leave behind when life forces us to make some hard choices.

"Undefeated" is a shabby and hackneyed rags to riches story about a poor Latino boxer from Jackson Heights, NY who wins the a welterweight championship and finds the challenges in the ring are small compared to the challenges in his personal life. An unfortunate directorial debut for Leguizamo, this film shows us nothing new, is ill-focused, uneven, and full of cliches and two dimensional characters. As a human drama, "Undefeated" is a mediocre B-flick. As a fight film, it falls on its face and does nothing to give insights into the real, fascinating, and corrupt world of professional boxing. (C)