Pit Fighter

I went into this one with at best medium expectations,and the first 7 or 8 minutes lived up to this. After that WOW.This movie was nuts,what a great story, I was absolutely riveted by the 2 main characters in this movie..Dominique Vandenberg improved as the movie went on to the point of moving me and Steven Bauer was perfect right from the get-go.

There is allot of violence in this movie, and normally North American Action/Violent movies in the B budget range lack good story's, emotion, and likable characters or even good fights for that mater. This has them all in spades, and on-top of that very stylish and watchable filming and editing in general.

Do you need to know the basic story still? OK. In a nut shell, a man has lost his memory after a big shoot out where he was gravely injured,he was saved and is now "owned" by a "want to get ahead" but nice Mexican (Steven Bauer)and since it turns out the man has fighting skills, that is were they go to make their money.But that is not the story.Just the action. The story is about a fellow who has forgotten his past, and has sort of made up one for himself that is much better then he really was, but still truthful in a twisted way until that past catches up to him.Then it is about redemption and honour.

Great effort,very good movie.

If you are not ready for drama action so you shouldn't watch this film. Scenario isn't too good. No really good action no anything Van Dam's films are better but it's OK for people who like action and drama mix. (sorry for my English). For know if you really want to watch some action you should really have a look at film Unleashed there is everything what this movie doesn't have action and everything. I don't really know what the film makers wanted to show with this film. I'v have tried to look at the bright side of this film but it has no such thing.

I don't know if you want you can watch this film film but it not worth your time. (it's just my opinion)

I worked with Jesse Johnson in the UK in 1988 on his first short film Old Priest, an homage to spaghetti westerns. It was clear then he showed talent, and 17 years later I was delighted to see his latest work The Pitfighter on French TV earlier today.

On the plus side we see Jesse working with a limited budget to produce a competent, professional effort, with much style and thought. Steven Bauer is excellent and gives this tale of a man seeking redemption some weight. Jesse's script could have done with a further re-write, but shows moments of humanity in amongst all the brutality.

On the negative side though there is too much unnecessary violence, which negates the film's many thoughtful and tender moments. While I expected some tough moments during the fight sequences, it was the violence outside of the ring that surprised me. The scene in a car park of man getting his mouth smashed in with an icepick for me was way over-the-top, as were some of the shootouts.

I'd like to see Jesse Johnson given a decent budget, and perhaps someone else's material, at this point in his career his directorial skills far outweigh his scriptwriting ability. He has the ability to make a full-blown Robert Rodriguez/Sam Peckinpah style film, but only if he acknowledges his own failings and works in collaboration with others who can compliment his abilities.

You may be interested to know that when I watched this on French channel TPS, it was about 5pm on a Sunday afternoon, and before the film they showed a caption saying that this film is not recommended for children under the age of TEN! They must have tough kids in France, in the UK this film would have an 18 rating for sure.

I've given this film 7/10. Recommended for those action fans who like to see what is possible on a small budget, and those of you who like your fight sequences realistic and brutal.

Jack (Dominique Vandenberg) gets amnesia after a bullet in the head almost kills him. Five years later, still haunted by dreams and visions of a woman he loved in his previous life even while attempting to stay the top pit fighter, his past catches up to him. However he might not like what he remembers. Writer/Director Jesse Johnson made a film that looked significantly better then his meager budget would suggest. The fights are pretty brutal and well choreographed. The story while not the most original one is serviceable enough and while this is the sole film that I've seen or heard of Dominique Vandenberg, I can already tell that a more interesting actor to watch then, say, Don "the Dragon' Wilson. Now on to hunting down Vandenberg's "The Honorable" which I've heard great things about. the film is not without a few flaws, but I found it entertaining even if the ending comes across as more than a tad bit silly. Oh and Steven Bauer's the best he's been since "Gleaming the Cube" in this one.

My Grade: B-

Eye Candy: Adult film actor, Aspen Stevens, gets topless as well as shows her ass

This is a hard kicking, hard punching fight fest that seems to be becoming something of a cult hit amongst genre fans. What the film lacks in frugality it more than makes up for with it's bone crunching fight scenes. This really is an action lovers film. it's simple entertainment and enjoyably violent.

The films plot involving a kick-boxing and amnesiac Christian is at times perfunctory for this type of movie. However Steven Bauer, as the Pit-Fighters manager and friend does a very good job in keeping a sense of humanity in the film, while leading man Dominique Vandenberg does reasonably well, as far as kick boxers turned actors go. However when it comes down to the nitty-gritty of kicking ass, Vandenberg looks at home. Director Jesse Johnson, whose previous effort The Honourable, proved as popular amongst action junkies (those who saw it) has a good understanding of style. He shoots the film nicely and it has an interesting and unique look. There's a hint of that Erin Brockovich, Traffic type colour pallet that Soderbergh used and the film almost looks documentary at times. There are times when this film looks really good and there are interesting choices in editing. The fights in particular get right into the face of the action. You feel every crack and crunch of sinew, every tear of cartilage. It's gloriously violent at times and nicely stylish. it's a far cry from the showy antics of Mr Van Damme's similar themed films. The film also features a nice low key and at time's interesting score.

Overall this is a highly polished and enjoyable piece of action cinema, considering it's measly $600,000 budget and while it's been there done that, with an end action scene that borders ludicrous, it gets by on some of the most wince-worthy fight sequences for sometime. ***