Tag Line: The World’s Top MMA Fighters in a Hard Hitting Feature Film
Directed by Bill Corcoran
Starring Hector Echavarria, Tanya Clarke, Nick Mancuso, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson
THE KILL:
Fans of the MMA will likely be all over this movie as it features some of the league’s top fighters kicking the crap out of each other to the death. But let’s not try and kid each other here. There’s no ‘real’ fighting going on, and while these guys are at the top of their game when it comes to fighting–they’re at the bottom when it comes to acting, or rather, acting like they’re fighting. The fight sequences were heavily choreographed, and the camera angles didn’t help make any of them spectacular or even mildly entertaining. Think of the super fake fighting that goes on in a WWF or WWE wrestling match, coupled with the same level of acting chops, and you have DEATH WARRIOR in a nutshell.
Part of my dislike might have to do with not connecting with Reinero (Hector Echavarria) as the film’s main hero. I don’t know if it was because he wasn’t gruff enough, or that he was noticeably older than the other fighters, or because I didn’t really connect with him. The other most blaring issue might also have been that Echavarria seriously failed in the acting department–but not nearly as much as some of the other fighters. Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson’s role was small but entertaining, and the likes of Rashad Evans, Georges St. Pierre, and Keith Jardine also showed up to fight and show their skills. But again, issues regarding the highly choreographed fight sequences tended to stand in the way of the fights being totally awesome.
There are two standouts in DEATH WARRIOR. The first is almost reason enough to pick this sucker up. Nick Mancuso, as seen playing smaller roles in RAPID FIRE, UNDER SIEGE, UNDER SEIGE 2, TODAY YOU DIE, and RISE OF THE GARGOYLES, plays the film’s wonderfully over the top and totally insane super villain Ivan, the evil mastermind behind the Death Matches. I’m surprised this dude doesn’t get more work as the quintessential bad guy, as he has the ability to go ape-shit crazy in a heart beat. When this guy gets mad, his voice raises, his eyes bulge, the veins on his forehead pop out, and the word RAGE practically appears tattooed on his forehead. Action films like this deserve a great villain, and Mancuso delivered more than he probably should, considering the rest of the film’s performances.
The other standout in DEATH WARRIOR is in its ability to exploit women. There’s some fine ladies in this film, and three or four separate sets of bare boobies to oogle at. There’s more than one sex scene (aided by a stacked body double with big fake boobies), and a entourage of topless party girls who like to get dirty and have pool parties. Even one of the fighter’s sister is pretty hot (she doesn’t get naked, but she does prance around in a mini-skirt in every scene). When the clothes shed and the boobs appear, DEATH WARRIOR felt more like a Skinimax movie of the week. An action movie with splices of soft core? Hells yeah!
Actually, the idea of soft core in an action movie rocks, but the execution (as seen in DEATH WARRIOR) is pretty silly. And while the fighters were real fighters, the fight sequences were weak and irritatingly fake in their choreography. Since they’re real fighters and not actors, the acting was stiff and uneven, and worse of all, boring. I can give some leeway when it comes to the acting chops in my action films, but it was unbelievably bad here. So while the flick had two saving graces in Nick Mancuso as the eccentric, over the top villain, and the plethora of naked chicks, I still can’t recommend anyone checking this beast out. That is, unless you’re a fan of the MMA or the fighters featured herein, then you might get a kick out of it. But as a movie goer and a fan of action movies, I wasn’t impressed.
TOP DEATH: Nick Mancuso is used to receiving incredible head. So when the chick who doesn’t do an adequate (blow) job gets her neck snapped for not being sultry or slutty enough, you know what kind of movie you’re in for. And yes, this death beats out all the deaths in the ring.
TOP ACTION SCENE:
While most of the fights are weak, the chain-fight sequence was pretty damn cool. Two fighters chained together in a fight to the finish, it’s like an epic version of Michael Jackson’s BEAT IT music video.
What the flip is going on here?!
TOP HOMOEROTIC MOMENT: Too much testosterone for any funny stuff. Then again, a bunch of shirtless sweaty dudes beating each other up is only slightly just gay.
FEMALE EXPLOITATION:
Three sets of naked boobies, and two sex scenes with Rain and his wife (i.e., body double), all of which border this side of soft core. Lots of big fake knockers to satisfy the boobman in all of us! Nice work!
TOP LINE/DIALOGUE:
Ivan (Mancuso): There’s nothing like a maniac with a big f*cking sword to ruin your f*cking day!
DRINKING GAME: Every time Mancuso’s eyes look like they’re gonna pop outta his head, you gotta drink!
TRIVIA: Director Bill Corcoran also directed an episode of MacGyver, and a few episodes of 21 Jump Street.
DVD FEATURETTES:
The Special Features for DEATH WARRIOR was a mixed bag at best, but not bad overall. The main MAKING OF featurette follows Corcoran around as they film one scene or another at a variety of different locations. It was raw and unhibited, but the interviews worked, and it sheds a little more light as to what they were going for.
The INTERVIEWS with all of the fighters was on the downside, as they were extended interviews we already had a taste of from the MAKING OF featurette. Then there’s the CONTEST WINNER featurette, which had the winner of a contest who had the chance to train with an MMA fighter in Hawaii-except the contest was for a completely different movie. Oddly out of ace, but it still worked.
Then there’s the cool TAP OUT trailer, and a music video from the film. Lots of features, some good, some bad, but certainly not enough to fork over your hard earned cash.
NOTE: The cover features a 3D hologram of Rampage Jackson punching someone in the face. Awesome.
NOTE 2: The cover doesn’t feature the mug of Hector Echavarria, the film’s main character.