Punhos de Campeão

The movie's first scene will give you more of an idea of what I'm talking about. The film opens up to images of a South American underground fight club. The crowd is warmed up to the violence by chained dogs snarling and lashing out, held just out of range by their collars. A feeling of routine is pervasive in something we might find abhorrent. Money exchanges hands. The kind of music you'd expect from a Rodriguez film begins, but the tone instead is slightly mournful. All the while, fleeting scenes of the fighters parading towards the ring, heads covered and bowed, become the primary focus. It's fight night, and the crowd wants blood. The battle is part Ultimate Fighting Championship, part Bloodsport riff, but it's well put together, and well shot. Brutal, violent, and quick. A pile of money goes to victor's trainer, and they walk out as they came in. All in a night's work for a pit fighter.

The director didn't have to do that, he could have made a decent fight flick and left it at that. But the quality filming and the unusual little editions is what will keep me watching the people behind this film. I'll be looking up their earlier work as well. I'm afraid the film isn't great, though, just better than average, a garnet in the rough, so to speak. Look it up when you're in the mood for a little hard hitting action but aren't into the Hong Kong style.

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.

I've read the negative comments on this film and agree that there are some things that could have been done to make the movie better. However, Mr. Johnson has made a really good film considering the budget he had to work with. As a recording artist I am well aware of the difference that a big budget makes.

The fight scenes were very well done. Dominique Vandenberg is an awesome fighter and looks the part. It's good to see a fight film without the special effects used in today's martial arts movies. A refreshing return to the days when martial artist were only dependent on their own physical skills. Mr. Vandenberg is certainly one to watch for in the future.

Steven Bauer and Stephen Graham are great actors and added a lot to this movie. Mr Graham's part was small but so well done. He is one of those great actors that makes it look easy, so natural.

From my point of view, Steven Bauer was the star of this film. His character was the thread that tied the story together. Another fine actor that makes the work look easy. Fernando Carrillo is another one to watch for in the future. He is very charismatic.

For those of you who are into violence, this film is violent. There are some scenes that are over the top with rage. And there is a lot of killing going on.

The theme of a bad guy trying to make up for his past is a good twist.

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.

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. ***