Contour

Saw this at Phantasmagoria over the weekend and really enjoyed it. The action and is amazing, truly mind-blowing stuff. Given the budgetary constraints I'm surprised no one got killed! Add to that the characters are likable and there are some incredibly funny moments. The mix of action and humour really works, and it helped that the audience I saw it with was loving every minute too! It's not as polished as a lot of low budget action films and the structure is a bit off but it's a film with a lot of heart and that makes it impossible not to enjoy. Definitely one to see with a group of friends. I can't wait to see what these guys do next!

I usually can't watch indie movies that have this lifeless cinematography that TV documentaries have, it looks cheap, cold and boring. BUT... Contour went to the action in the first few minutes and there it delivered and kept me watching.

The acting in this movie is not for everyone. These guys are no Oscar-drama actors but they capture the fun and spirit of 80s Hong Kong flicks and the humor, as well in the acting as in the fight scenes, reminded me of earlier Jackie Chan movies. It's like a comic come to life and if you can forgive the horrible editing in the non-fight-scenes and like the cheesy humor you're going to have a great time watching the whole thing.

The fight scenes are just awesome. They use the complete environment around them and go at it with everything they can get their hands on or throw somebody into and they never take themselves too serious. Every actor uses a different fighting style and you see a lot of artistic falling, jumping and kicking out of every possible angle.

This was the first movie of The Stunt People I've seen but after writing this I'll order some more. I think in time this group could become a big name in martial arts movies and I can't wait to see what they will do when the budget becomes a little bit more serious.

THE SECOND COMING!

and it has Martial Arts in it and the Stuntpeople.

WoW!!

Where to start my review!

First this:

BEST Martal Arts movie since 'Drunken Master 2'!!}

The exciting eyeopening feeling I got, when I first witnessed Jackie doing tons of versatile excellently choreographed fights with big stunts and falls, was the same when I witnessed CONTOUR!

Stuntpeople really outdid themselves. This movie is highly ambitious without being bloated or pretentious. I really liked a lot of the humor especially when it was fight/stunt related. Situation comedy. (not all the dialog humor worked for me, but that's not really a problem, since the movie has tons and tons of action sequences)

The fights! Well, Like I mentioned , they're very versatile! They all have the thick pizza bottoms (from my theory about a good pizza as analogy to a great fight sequence) which results in; hardcore kick-boxing thickness. And they're flavored with excellent toppings. Like - Insane falls Outstanding fight flow WICKED camera-work (the one that follows the gun in the air is INSANE) Original ideas (the 'tied up' fight, the 'flying bats' fight)

The fights are all super fast and TOUGH, even the fights with girls (which usually, without offense, are the slower and nicer parts in MA movies; people tend to be more gentle toward girls, which is kinda natural of course ) So yeah, Tyler did a great job too! (although her fights can't hold up against the superior level of fights like Eric vs Dennis or Ed vs everyone or Eric vs Andy etc. etc.)

I really see Stuntpeople have developed their own unique style which also explains why I think Contour is one of the best all-time MA movies.

It has a background of 80ies Yuen Woo Ping choreography to it, with Sammo Hung kinda stunts and Janusz Kaminski kinda camera-work. That combined makes for this shattering cocktail of groundbreaking fight-scenes.

Forget Ong Bak! This is a movie where EVERYONE counts. I really think Stuntpeople is the best MA team at the moment, because it's very fair; it does not really pick one of the players as the best, it's team choreography! A thing that is sorely missing these days. As I see Eric Jacobus as main choreographer on the list I think this is his most important input in this style of Fight sequences. Everybody shines.

The bloopers where hardcore too.

The bad things: Well I don't really need to say bad things! I did not fast forward any part! It had so much style, good comedy, witty performances, changing hairstyles in single scenes, and GREAT enthusiasm in it.

You guys are beyond the Hollywood A list, they don't make action like this in Hollywood.

So once again, Props to the entire team Thank you for this good movie and what the future will hold for Stuntpeople.

Contour is a fast-paced, wildly entertaining martial arts action film that punches far above its weight. Made on a shoestring budget by The Stunt People, this indie gem proves that creativity, dedication, and raw talent can outshine Hollywood gloss.

Eric Jacobus (who also directs) leads a cast of skilled martial artists who deliver jaw-dropping fight choreography that's as inventive as it is brutal. The action is shot with clarity and energy-no shaky cam, no rapid-fire editing-just clean, expertly executed stunts that harken back to the golden age of Hong Kong action cinema.

What makes Contour more than just a stunt reel is its offbeat sense of humor and self-aware storytelling. The plot is quirky and chaotic in the best way, blending crime drama, buddy comedy, and martial arts spectacle into a genre-bending ride.

This is DIY filmmaking at its best. If you're a fan of Jackie Chan, Tony Jaa, or just great physical performance, Contour is an absolute must-watch. It's a cult classic in the making and a great showcase for some of the most underrated action talent out there.

Produced on a shoestring budget at anonymous locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, Contour is a powerhouse of amateur martial artists giving their all for the silver screen.

The writing is great because it doesn't take itself seriously. Our dysfunctional heroes are pitted against a cartoony plot centered around the laughable fictional country of Uruvia.

Cinematography. It's really easy to overlook how important this is to a film like this, but the camera-work is superb, framing the fights perfectly.

Editing. As in all martial arts film, sharp scene cuts with split second timing is crucial, and there's spades of it here.

Kick Ass Martial Arts. Oh yeah, these guys are good! There is a well staged stick fight and a brilliant chain fight at the end of the movie.

Kudos to the guys who almost killed themselves making this film.

THANK YOU!