"Chanbara Beauty: The Movie - Vortex" Japanese DVD Cover
RELEASE DATE: February 12, 2013
Tokyo Shock presents the DVD for Chanbara Beauty: The Movie – Vortex, which is the sequel to Chanbara Beauty (aka Onechanbara). If you’re in the mood for another wave of zombies, swordplay action and a samurai babe wearing a sexy bikini, then this one’s for you. Check out the trailer.
China Heavyweight DVD (Zeitgeist Films)
RELEASE DATE: January 15, 2013
Zeitgeist Films presents the DVD for China Heavyweight. Award-winning filmmaker Yung Chang (Up the Yangtze) returns to China for another riveting documentary. In China Heavyweight, Chang follows the charismatic Qi Moxiang, a former boxing star and state coach who recruits young fighting talent from the impoverished farms and villages across Sichuan province. Watch the trailer.
“The Man With the Iron Fists” Theatrical Poster
Director: RZA
Writer: RZA, Eli Roth
Cast: Russell Crowe, Cung Le, Lucy Liu, Byron Mann, RZA, Rick Yune, David Bautista, Jamie Chung, Daniel Wu, Gordon Liu, Chen Kuan-tai, Eli Roth, Pam Grier, Jon T. Benn, Terence Yin, MC Jin (Jin Au-Yeung)
Running Time: 96 min.
By Laser Beahm
If your 11-year-old son, nephew, grandchild, or alter-ego were to write and star in their own version of a Kung-Fu film, “The Man With the Iron Fists,” would be that film.
“The Man With the Iron Fists,” is an entertaining, gory thrill-ride that takes place in the fictional Jungle Village; a place for pirates, gangs, and whores. The film throws in everything a good Kung-Fu movie should have: action-packed fight scenes, a battle of good and evil, beautiful women, and fortune. “The Man With the Iron Fists,” however, reads more as parody to Kung-Fu movies than it does homage. The plot is muddled. The characters are underdeveloped. The scenes range from embarrassingly over-acted to confusing. But, for all its faults, it still has heart and is almost endearing.
The film is former Wu-Tang Clan member, RZA’s directorial debut. While it’s chaotic and perplexing, I found myself rooting for RZA, his character the Blacksmith, and, most of all, his movie. It’s as if I am watching my own son act in his first play. Sure, it’s riddled with flaws but there’s something so charming about the enthusiasm that oozes throughout the movie as a whole that I can’t help but love it despite all of its pitfalls.
There are moments of sheer brilliance. The scenes are beautiful. Zen Yi/The X-Blade, played by Rick Yune, does a fantastic job on screen. His martial arts skills are amazing, and his acting skills bring a brooding and stunning richness to his character. The main villain Silver Lion, played by Byron Mann, is the epitome of an anti-hero. He’s coarse and money-hungry, willing to hurt and kill anyone who gets in his way of amassing a quick fortune. His performance is reminiscent of David Bowie in “Labyrinth”: cool, beautiful, and Broadway-esque.
RZA himself does a great job as the films protagonist. He is enigmatic, dark, and worthy of the love of his muse, Lady Silk (Jamie Chung). However, the film takes a very strange turn while explaining RZA’s character, the Blacksmith. Taking us down a tangled web of slavery, monks, and a shipwreck, it’s never very clear just how the Blacksmith ended up in Jungle Village at all. But that’s just par for the course. The entire movie is built on a maze of stories that never really lead up to the action at hand.
The most confusing character of all is the Brass Body. While former WWE wrestler Dave Bautista looks amazing as he shows off some of his classic professional wrestling moves in the film, there is never a discussion as to who he is, who he is working for, why he is living in Jungle Village, or just how he came to have a “Brass Body.”
Russel Crowe also appears in the film as an Aussie mercenary named Jack Knife. His introduction into the film begins with him ripping a large man in half with his knife, then delving into a night full of debauchery in the Pink Blossom whore house, led by Madame Blossom (Lucy Lui). While Knife ultimately helps the Blacksmith, again there are problems with explaining why Crowe’s character is so sociopathic yet so willing to help the Blacksmith.
If you’re up for sheer entertainment and too tired from a long week at work to care about a precise plot, then I say “The Man With the Iron Fists” is definitely worth the money. If you are a Kung-Fu purist, with a knack for character development, then this movie will definitely lead to disappointment. Go with absolutely no expectations and you will come out feeling puzzled and completely entertained, like I did.
Laser Beahm’s Rating: 5.5/10
Rashomon Blu-ray & DVD (Criterion Collection)
Autumn is upon us as we move into November. If you’re interested in any of these titles, you can support the site by ordering through our affiliate. We appreciate it!
Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 11/6/12:
ASIAN CINEMA
Rashomon (Blu-ray/DVD) – Japanese director Akira Kurosawa gained international recognition with this 1950 samurai-era mystery, faithfully presented in hi-def by the Criterion Collection
Eleven Samurai (DVD) – a 1996 samurai film from Eiichi Kudo, director of the original “The Thirteen Assassins”
Incredibly Ever After (Blu-ray/DVD) – Funimation presents this 2011 Hong Kong/Chinese comedy about a husband and wife superhero duo facing retirement. Starring Louis Koo and Sandra Ng
I Wish (DVD) – a heartwarming 2011 Japanese family drama about two young brothers, separated by their parents’ divorce, who hope a new bullet-train system will reunite them
The Day He Arrives (DVD) – a low key, black & white 2011 Korean drama about a film director who finds himself living each day exactly like the last
The Vertical Ray of the Sun (DVD) – a 2000 Vietnamese-language drama from the director of “The Scent of Green Papaya,” about three sisters dealing with the anniversary of their mother’s death
Wu Tang Iron Fist Collection (Blu-ray) – purchase at your own risk: this collection claims to hold 25 ‘vintage kung fu films’ on a single Blu-ray disc, but makes no mention of whether they’re dubbed or not
FOREIGN CINEMA
Even the Rain (DVD) – this 2010 Spanish-language drama follows a filmmaker’s quest to create a revisionist take on Columbus’ conquest of the Americas
Corpo Celeste (DVD) – in this 2011 Italian-language film, a young girl searches for her own spirituality against a backdrop of organized religion
Kiss Me (DVD) – an engaged woman finds her life complicated when she falls in love with another woman in this 2012 Swedish-language film
Outskirts (DVD) – a 1933 Russian-language picture that has been heralded as a pioneer of early sound
By the Bluest of Seas (DVD) – although many films of the early Soviet era are considered propaganda, this 1936 picture is a comedy about love and friendship
MAINSTREAM
The Amazing Spider-Man (Blu-ray/DVD) – Spidey swings back into action in this 2012 summer blockbuster from “500 Days of Summer” director Marc Webb
Fire With Fire (DVD) – Bruce Willis and Josh Duhamel (“Transformers”) go the direct-to-video route with this 2012 crime thriller
Maximum Conviction (Blu-ray/DVD) – two titans of direct-to-video action movies, Steven Seagal and Steve Austin, collide in this 2012 prison-set feature
360 (Blu-ray/DVD) – a 2011 drama about how all lives are connected. Starring Anthony Hopkins, Jude Law, and Rachel Weisz
Hirokin: The Last Samurai (DVD) – Wes Bentley stars as the ‘last samurai’ in this 2011 post-apocalyptic tale
Fighting Sullivans (DVD) – this 1944 World War II picture is considered one of the ‘inspirations’ for Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan”
Blue-Eyed Butcher (DVD) – Sarah Paxton stars in this 2012 drama about a suburban housewife who seems to have it all…until she murders her husband
Saints and Soldiers: Airborne Creed (DVD) – a low-budget World War II film made in 2012
CULT MOVIES
Gator Bait (DVD) – it’s some trashy Cajun exploitation with this 1974 redneck drama starring a Playboy Playmate of the Year
Gator Bait II: Cajun Justice (DVD) – the exploitation fun continues over a decade later with this 1988 sequel to “Gator Bait”
Running Cool (DVD) – this 1993 biker film is lauded by real-life bikers for its accurate depiction of the riding pasttime
NEW TO BLU-RAY
Sunset Boulevard (Blu-ray) – the classic 1950 Hollywood film noir starring William Holden and Gloria Swanson, now in hi-def
Die Nibelungen: Kino Classics Deluxe Remastered Edition (Blu-ray) – Kino Films presents this 1924 Nordic epic from legendary director Fritz Lang (“Metropolis”)
Planes Trains & Automobiles (Blu-ray) – Steve Martin and John Candy headline this beloved 1987 comedy from director John Hughes, now in hi-def
Dark Star – Thermostellar Edition (Blu-ray) – John Carpenter’s 1974 sci-fi comedy makes its way to Blu
Von Ryan’s Express (Blu-ray) – a 1965 World War II adventure picture starring Frank Sinatra
The Client (Blu-ray) – Joel Schumacher directs this 1994 legal thriller starring Tommy Lee Jones
The Bonfire of the Vanities (Blu-ray) – Brian De Palma’s 1990 adaptation of the Tom Wolfe novel, starring Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis, was long considered one of Hollywood’s biggest bombs
ANIMATION
Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (Blu-ray) – the long unavailable 1989 animated film based on the beloved comic strip comes to hi-def
HORROR
They Live (Blu-ray) – John Carpenter’s 1988 sci-fi/horror cult classic starring “Rowdy” Roddy Piper arrives in hi-def
Rec 3 (DVD) – the 2012 latest installment in the popular [REC] series comes to DVD
The Pact (Blu-ray/DVD) – a 2012 indie haunted house tale co-starring Casper Van Dien
American Nightmare (DVD) – Katrina’s Nightmare Theater presents this 1981 horror movie co-starring Michael Ironside
DeathShip (Remastered Widescreen Edition) (DVD) – Scorpion Entertainment offers this 1980 horror movie co-starring Richard Crenna of “Rambo” fame. The Blu-ray hits retail next month
Outpost: Black Sun (Blu-ray/DVD) – during the closing days of WWII, the Nazis are able to create a powerful zombie force in this 2012 flick
Interested in any of these movies? If so, we hope that you’ll consider ordering from our affiliate to help support this site. Thank you!
"The Crow" Japanese Theatrical Poster
According to the latest issue of BLR, Alex Proyas was in the process of releasing a definitive director’s cut of The Crow, but due to studio politics, his plans fell through.
This is what Proyas told BLR: “There’s a pretty good director’s cut of The Crow and I’d love to do it one day, but last time we tried to put something together, negotiations with the studio fell apart because they were not willing or able to give me the creative control over the project I had asked for. Until I can be assured that I will be allowed to make this in a correct and respectful manner, a definitive Crow will sadly never be done.”
To read the full, revealing interview, grab the October issue of BLR at the fanzine’s official website.
The Wild Geese Blu-ray & DVD (Severin Films)
RELEASE DATE: December 11, 2012
Severin Films presents the Blu-ray & DVD for 1978’s The Wild Geese. Richard Burton, Roger Moore and Richard Harris star as a team of mercenaries hired for one final mission. This new edition features a full HD remaster, “making of” documentaries, commentary by Roger Moore, charity premiere newsreel, radio spots, stills gallery and theatrical trailers. Watch the trailer.
“Outlaw Brothers” American DVD Cover
Director: Frankie Chan Fan Kei
Cast: Frankie Chan, Yukari Oshima, Max Mok Siu Chung, Michael Miu, Sharon Kwok, Sheila Chan Suk Lan, Michiko Nishiwaki, Jeff Falcon, Mark Houghton, Jonathan Isgar
Running Time: 97 min.
By HKFanatic
“Outlaw Brothers” belongs to that most cherished of genres: the late 80’s/early 90’s Hong Kong martial arts movie. Released in 1990, this film directed by, and starring, frequent Jackie Chan collaborator Frankie Chan ticks all the requisite boxes: fierce hand-to-hand combat, reckless stunts, and a breakneck pace. As a result, the film has built up a following over the years and is frequently mentioned in the same breath as movies like “Righting Wrongs.” Believe it or not, “Outlaw Brothers” has been available on DVD in the UK as a Hong Kong Legends title since late 2005. Only now has Dragon Dynasty brought the film over to North American shores. Was it worth the wait? Well, yes, mostly.
“Outlaw Brothers” is a film that celebrates the vacuous, surface-obsessed quality of the Eighties. Frankie Chan and Mak Mok play two close friends who make a living by stealing high-end sports cars. They savor the taste of ‘the good life’ that their ill-gotten gains provide them with: driving Porsches, wearing designer clothes, making it with hostess girls. In other words, they’re worlds away from our usual morally upright martial arts heroes. At first glance, most of “Outlaw Brothers” resembles a random episode of Miami Vice. The soundtrack certainly fits – it’s all keyboard pads and popping bass guitar, almost like b-sides from the Tom Tom Club.
Compounding the superficial nature of the movie, the script indulges in the same political incorrectness you’ll find in many Hong Kong movies of this era. There’s a tasteless joke about AIDs within the first twenty minutes and the ending features the questionable use of live chickens for a stunt. The female characters don’t have it much better. They’re frequently treated as a punchline – or a punching bag. The only co-star who comes out unscathed is Yukari Oshima, a talented actress and martial artist who made a name for herself via the ‘girls with guns’ genre. You may recall her from films such as “Millionaire’s Express” and “Iron Angels,” and she gets to show off her fighting skills during some of “Outlaw Brothers'” best setpieces.
Behind the camera, Frankie Chan has a clear eye for action. All of the fight scenes are staged so that the audience can follow every move and appreciate the performers’ obvious athletic skill. An early clash in a parking garage is one of the highlights of the entire movie. Frankie Chan may look a bit wiry and older than his years, but he can clearly hold his own in a fight. On the run in the parking deck, he manages to fend off nearly a dozen attackers with a mere broom. The editing during the climax of the movie is a bit too fast paced for my taste – cutting back and forth between Frankie and Yakuri’s individual bouts with a frequency that makes it difficult to fully appreciate either fight – but that’s the only real flaw in Chan’s action direction.
While I’d hesitate to label “Outlaw Brothers” an outright classic of its genre like movies such as “Righting Wrongs” and “She Shoots Straight,” it’s still more great Hong Kong-style action for those who miss the genre’s heyday. Most of the script is fluff, moving the plot along with broad comedy and misguided romance, but when the fists start flying it’s easy to forgive Frankie Chan for any missteps. Fung Hark-On served as fight choreographer on the film; while Jackie Chan visited the set to add flavour to the Yukari Oshima fight with Jeff Falcon. One of the best fights in the movie might just be the scene where a bunch of security guards form a ‘human centipede’ while hanging on to the bumper of a speeding car. Such reckless endangerment is par for the course for ‘Outlaw Brothers.’ Hong Kong action buffs wouldn’t have it any other way.
HKFanatic’s Rating: 7/10
"Triad" Chinese Theatrical Poster
Online now is a trailer for Triad, a new Chinese movie that takes an in-depth look at the Hong Kong Triad. As of late, Chinese moviemakers have shied away from exploring modern organized crime in China and Hong Kong so as to not run afoul of censorship. Perhaps it won’t come as a surprise, then, that Triad is set in pre-1997 handover Hong Kong.
The story follows a college-educated young man (played by William Chan) who decides to give up the straight and narrow for a life in the Triads. He very quickly ascends the ranks, even as he offends his elders by operating extra-circular businesses. But his entire house of cards might come toppling down when he realizes someone close has betrayed him.
Hop on over to Far East Films to check out the trailer. The film appears to have a slightly low-budget aura but, who knows, this might be the throwback to old-school Hong Kong gangster movies we’ve been waiting for. At the very least, the movie is carrying a Category III rating – likely for violence and the fact that it takes a close look at Triad initiations.
Triad is directed by Daniel Chan, who reveals on his production blog that this is the first real gangster movie made in Hong Kong since 2007. Expect Triad in Mainland Chinese theaters on November 15th, 2012.
Update: Far East Films has the second trailer for the film.
"Wolfenstein 3D" PC Box Cover
Panorama Media and Samuel Hadida announced today the production of Castle Wolfenstein. The action-adventure film, inspired by the iconic game franchise, is written and will be directed by Academy Award® winner Roger Avary. Hadida will produce through his Davis Films Productions, and global sales will be handled by Panorama’s Marc Butan and Kimberly Fox. Talks with U.S. distributors are underway.
The story follows a young US Army Captain and a British Special Agent on a top secret mission to Castle Wolfenstein, where Hitler will be for the unveiling of a new secret weapon.
Hadida explained, “With Roger at the helm, we expect everyone will join us for a wild and fun cinematic ride that will grab contemporary film audiences with the same irreverent, hip, over the top approach that Roger brought to Pulp Fiction and the other films he has either written or directed.”
Avary noted, “I’ve been playing the Wolfenstein games since I was a kid, and feel that their outlandish sensibility has deeply influenced my own writing and directing throughout my career.”
The above press release is from Panorama Media, via Collider. For the full press release, please visit Collider.
"Bloodmoon" DVD Cover
Fleur De Lis Film Studios announced today that actor and martial artist Gary Daniels (The Expendables, Bloodmoon, Tekken) will lead the cast of the action-adventure Blackwater, to be directed by veteran stuntman and producer B.J Davis.
Davis, who has worked in stunts on a variety of action classics, including The Delta Force and Universal Soldier, says “Gary Daniels and I go back for decades. He is one of the best in the business. Blackwater will be a real showcase for him – as both a martial-artist and actor. ”
Daniels plays a Special Ops trooper who switches sides and sets out to seek justice for the oppressed he was hired to police.
Andrew Lawrence (Sniper 3) and Christopher Showerman (C.S.I Miami) have also been cast in the film, which action-movie vet John D.Schofield (Doom) is producing. The studio describes the film as All Quiet On The Western Front set in Afghanistan.
Cityonfire.com received the above press release from October Coast.
"The Last Supper" Chinese Theatrical Poster
Chinese director Lu Chuan first made waves internationally with his 2009 film City of Life and Death, a movie praised for its stark depiction of the 1937 massacre of Nanking by the Japanese imperial army. Now Lu Chuan is prepping his latest endeavor, The Last Supper, which takes audiences farther back in history to the end of the Qin Dynasty. The story focuses on the famous Hongmen Banquet, which was held in 206 B.C. by one warlord with the express purpose of assassinating his rival.
If the black-and-white realism of City of Life and Death made you think this new historical epic would be similarly gritty, think again. In a new interview with Film Business Asia, Lu Chuan explains his approach to the material: “I’ve tried to bring a new style to Chinese historical movies. An almost sci-fi look, with flying around and immortal characters.”
In addition, Lu Chuan reveals that this film won’t just be a dusty commentary on something that happened thousands of years ago. Says Chuan: “In China there are many topics we cannot touch openly. However, historical movies act like a cover, a camouflage, [and] obscures the director’s meaning.”
The Last Supper features an impressive cast, including Yu Liu (Curse of the Golden Flower), Daniel Wu (New Police Story), and Chen Chang (Crouching Tigger, Hidden Dragon). The film is expected to release sometime in 2012, though Lu Chuan says that he is not aiming to meet festival deadlines for Cannes or elsewhere, and that The Last Supper is meant for Chinese and global audiences to enjoy once it is completed. In the meantime, you can head over to Chinese Films for a Behind the Scenes video.
Update: Building on our coverage from yesterday, the hallucinatory first trailer and some character posters have hit the web. Here are some new stills from the film, featuring Daniel Wu and his character’s impressive battle armor.
Director Lu Chuan recently spoke about the challenge Chinese directors face in trying to compete with Hollywood. Says Chuan: “Hollywood makes dreams come true for audiences through cameras. Over the past one hundred years, their movies have been the quintessence of cinema aesthetics. Why do Chinese filmmakers always make movies for themselves rather than for our audiences? We should think about that…We should learn from them [Hollywood] and guard the dignity of the Chinese film industry together.”
The Last Supper has been delayed from its original July 5, 2012 release date. There is speculation that the producers did not want to compete with the deluge of Hollywood blockbusters coming this summer, while director Lu Chuan joked that his film simply hasn’t been approved or given a rating by the State Film board yet. A special director’s panel at the Shanghai Film Fest recently discussed issues of movie censorship and Hollywood competition in China. Director Lu Chuan became very emotional while addressing the delay on The Last Supper but would not go into details. Says Lu Chuan: “The year of 2012 is a very dangerous year for the Chinese film industry.”
BREAKING NEWS: After a long delay due to possible censorship issues, The Last Supper will arrive in Chinese theaters on November 29th, 2012. Here’s a new poster to celebrate.
"Punch" Korean Theatrical Poster
Cityonfire.com has received the following press release from 5 Points Pictures: Film distributor 5 Points Pictures is pleased to announce the two-disc, special-edition DVD release of Punch, which will be available on February 19, 2013.
A coming-of-age story with equal parts humor and humanity, Punch features direction by Lee Han (Lover’s Concerto, Almost Love) and standout performances from Yoo Ah-in (Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Antique) and Kim Yun-seok (The Thieves, The Chaser), along with Kim Sang-ho (Moss, City Hunter TV), Park Soo-young (Architecture 101) and Jasmine Lee.
Punch was one of 2011’s surprise box-office champs – with more than 5.3 million tickets sold in South Korea – and following its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival, it went on to screen at the Berlin International Film Festival, Udine Far East Film Festival, Shanghai International Film Festival, and Fantasia Film Festival, as well as throughout North America.
Based upon a best-selling young-adult novel by Kim Ryeo-ryeong, Punch was produced by UBU Film and Another Pictures. It is presented by CJ Entertainment.
“Both moving and challenging, offering an appealing set of
offbeat characters, sly humour and honest human drama.”
– James Mudge, BeyondHollywood.com
“I was so invested in the film’s protagonists that I was sad
to be leaving them when the credits rolled.
This is the kind of film that reminds you why
Korean cinema is so well-regarded.”
– Pierce Conran, Modern Korean Cinema
Disc details: 5 Points Pictures’ release of Punch will feature an upgraded English translation of the film, plus nearly an hour and 15 minutes of translated and subtitled video extras from the South Korean limited-edition releases. Running time is 107 minutes, exclusive of bonus material.
Toxic Avenger: Japanese Cut DVD (Troma)
RELEASE DATE: December 11, 2012
Troma presents the DVD for Toxic Avenger: Japanese Cut. Among the residents of Tromaville is Melvin, a nerdy, emaciated janitor at the local health club. As the chemicals take hold of his body, Melvin turns into the Toxic Avenger, doer of good, and brutal mauler of evil! This special “Japanese Cut” contains footage not seen in the current release. Check out the original U.S. trailer.
Westerns Unchained Blu-ray 25-Film Collection (First Look Pictures)
RELEASE DATE: December 4, 2012
First Look Pictures presents Westerns Unchained, a 25 film Blu-ray collection featuring classic Spaghetti Westerns. Memorable films such as Kill Django, Lola Colt and Face to Face; and featuring Richard Harrison, Robert Woods, Antonio Sabato, Klaus Kinski, Rory Calhoun, Guiliano Gemma and Lola Folana.
“Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning” Japanese DVD Cover
Director: John Hyams
Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Scott Adkins, Dolph Lundgren, Kristopher Van Varenberg, Andrei Arlovski, Roy Jones, Jr., Mariah Bonner
Running Time: 114 min.
By HKFanatic
Free will is overrated. Just ask the Universal Soldiers – they’re a group of reanimated corpses brainwashed into becoming government killers. After being released from their programming by revolutionary leader Luc Deveraux (Jean-Claude Van Damme), these muscle-bound warriors can finally act of their own violation. But all they seem to do with their newfound freedom is drink, sleep around, and get into fights. They’re soldiers without a cause; guns in need of a hand to aim them.
They inhabit a world that seems to resemble ours…but something feels off. It’s not long into “Day of Reckoning,” the latest entry in the “Universal Soldier” series, that we realize co-writer/director John Hyams has crafted a dystopic tale – all the more disturbing because it’s set, not in our distant future, but in the now.
While most fans were expecting “Days” to pick up where the previous film, “Regeneration,” left off, this new entry in the series is more self-contained. The story very much belongs to John, a new character portrayed by Scott Adkins, who has some serious questions about his identity and the fate of his loved ones. For the first hour of the movie the audience feels as lost as Adkins does. Director John Hyams mentioned watching “Angel Heart” and “Jacob’s Ladder” while writing the script and there’s a similarity in the way Adkins goes from a place of ignorance to knowledge – a knowledge he may come to regret.
Both of those influences are horror movies, which is indicative of “Day of Reckoning’s” tone. Director Hyams shares some similarities with his contemporary Nicolas Winding Refn (“Drive“) in that both men know how to deliver visually seductive genre movies that blindside the viewer with their sobering portrayal of violence. Early in “Reckoning” when Andrei Arlovski’s brainwashed killer stalks the corridors of a sleazy sex shop with shotgun in hand, mowing down civilians, it’s clear we’re not in popcorn movie territory. In Hyams’ films, violence carries consequences.
Not all of Hyams’ stylistic risks necessarily pay off. “Reckoning” is an altogether more ambitious film than its predecessor and a much messier one as a result. In particular, the numerous sequences shot from first-person POV fall flat and the Gasper Noe-style strobe lights may make viewers avert their eyes from the screen. Granted, both of these techniques likely work better in theaters and in 3D, which is how the movie was meant to be seen.
It’s a credit to action choreographer Larnell Stovall that even though most of “Reckoning” was filmed in the spring of 2011, the fight scenes are nearly as vicious and impressive as anything in this year’s genre breakout “The Raid.” The clash between Adkins and Arlovski that takes place in a sporting goods store about halfway through the film is arguably the best fight scene of Adkins’ career – which is saying something for an actor who has already built a resume of jaw-dropping bouts in movies like “Undisputed III.” Later on, Hyams replicates the one-take action sequence from the end of “Regeneration” as Adkins traverses the Universal Soldier compound, dispatching one foe after another with some impressive full-body takedowns.
Although “Day of Reckoning” bears the Universal Soldier logo, we’re about as far away from the summer blockbuster sheen of Roland Emmerich’s 1992 original as we could possibly get. Similar to the way that “Regeneration” brought a real-world, war-movie aesthetic to the series, “Day of Reckoning” ignores the expectations of its brand entirely by telling a murky tale of stolen memories and cloned killers. Fans of the original looking for escapist entertainment may be disappointed that neither Jean-Claude Van Damme or Dolph Lundgren play a big role here. On the upside it’s a gorgeously-lit film, with apartment corridors straight out of “The Shining”; and there’s a car chase that would make William Friedkin proud.
Director John Hyams isn’t content to merely serve up your typical action movie dreck. He’s made it his mission to challenge audiences and their expectations of what a film like “Universal Soldier” can do. As such, the violence here isn’t presented as ‘entertainment’ and it might take more than one viewing of “Day” to truly appreciate it – as well as piece together the plot. This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to cinema buffs who have been following John Hyams’ career: the director has spent the past few years quietly expanding the limits of the action genre. “Day of Reckoning” represents his boldest statement yet.
HKFanatic’s Rating: 8/10
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on Cat III doesn’t get any more ‘horrible’ than this! Massacre Video’s ‘Horrible High Heels’ arriving on Blu-ray in Novemberhttps://asianmoviepulse.com/2021/03/film-review-horrible-high-heels-1996-by-c… on That woman deserves her revenge and we deserve 4K Ultra HD! ‘Kill Bill’ saga soon to be announced from LionsgateI’ve been holding off on joining the 4K club, but the 4 hour Kill Bill would… on Shadow Strays, The (2024) ReviewYes, sometimes the right line does the job, but I’m also a proponent of “show… on That woman deserves her revenge and we deserve 4K Ultra HD! ‘Kill Bill’ saga soon to be announced from LionsgateI've been waiting for an official bluray release of this since 2006/7. Theres…
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