There is definitely no doubt about what was great about this movie. The boxing sequences were not only action packed but also mostly realistic (There was some defense, there were jabs and not only heavy power punches). The final fight (which is I think no spoiler since every boxing movie ends with a big match) was thrilling, you wouldn't know until the end who was actually going to win (which is rather unrealistic but also inevitable for a movie that considers itself as "action" and also wants to entertain the audience. My big problem with the movie were the characters. Not only are they one-dimensional, we don't even learn too much about them. It is like (and that might be the movie's intention) life only takes place in prison, everything what the human individuals have been before they were sent to jail now doesn't count anymore. That's actually a nice concept but not if the only solution to achieve this aim was to avoid giving the characters any background. The protagonists remain without soul, we never get to know whether they are good or bad, whether they committed their crimes and whether we are supposed to feel for the one or the other. Who is the antagonist in the movie? Is it the one who is supported from all the prison inmates and guards, who is undisputed in the prison-fight-system or is it the one who should-if the outside world ever should learn about the fight and maybe even not if- have the public's support, who is undisputed in the "normal" boxing world. both have their pros and cons and only the outcome of the fight made me know who I could have thought of as the good guy, since he won. My problem was, I liked the other one better. But that was just me and is up to anybody else since this movie really lets you make your choice on your own. And again: A good idea: A boxing movie where both fighters are illuminated, the audience learns to know them both and both have the same screen time. (Imagine, we would have learned about Drago's degradation by the military of becoming a boxing slave for them). But both characters remain flat and really likable is none of them. That was a pity since you could notice that this was no rushed movie, there was a good concept and a good (though rather short-an action)plot and great names : Ving Rhames and Wesley Snipes-It's worth watching the movie just to see them on screen together. But all in all: there is something missing what could have made this movie great. Part II has that something but that one is dumb-but it's more violent and the action sequences are (also due to that) maybe even better(though it's no boxing anymore what I found stupid since the first was nothing but a boxing movie.
Reviews
3 Reviews
Evil Dead: Regeneration
(2005 Video Game)
Boooooring!
4 August 2006
To be honest: I did not even finish this game. I am definitely a big fan of the evil dead trilogy and that was the main reason why I bought the game but I have to say that I have not been that disappointed by a movie-game since..let's say Terminator 3. The story begins in the well known little wooden house deep in the woods where you are introduced to the controls. One button for shooting, one for the chainsaw. Oh, and you can jump! Then you wake up in a hospital where you continue your work from inside the little house only that you now miss the chainsaw. That's pretty much it. The graphics are OK but everybody should know that the Xbox is able to provide something better. I think the most obvious problem of the game it s its lack of variety. No game developer can be sure of his game to become liked by gamers (even if they were movie fans) if his game only consists of running from one room to another where enemies that pretty much all look the same attack him. The best example of the boring game play is a situation in which ash (you) has to fight against the invisible evil that has followed him into the hospital and that is now throwing chairs, tables and doors on him. Your task is it to hold the L button and keep shooting. Almost 5 minutes takes the hold and shoot scene. You didn't even have had to watch what you were doing if you just kept hitting the button fast enough. sometimes funny are the finishing moves in which ash does some crazy moves with his guns but they keep repeating themselves a little too often to. So finally I think I have to advise you not to buy this game unless you don't want to have to think while playing a game and you are a blood-fetishist. But for any fan like me thinking this game could be any good just because "evil Dead" stands on the cover-you'll be disappointed. But I guess for those seeing "Evil Dead" on the cover and buying the game just because this fact is enough for them, if they are satisfied with playing their favorite movie character then I z'think I could also recommend this game to them.
Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style
(1999 Video Game)
A game I lived for.
21 July 2006
I know that there are people outside considering this game to be dumb, boring and hard to play but I had a lot of really good time with it. It was about 3 or 4 years ago when me and my friends used to play this all day long on the good old' PS. Of course we knew other fighting games like Tekken or MK or whatever but this game really pleased us compared to the others which we also liked but didn't spend that much time on. The story is like .. You're one member of the Wu-tang Clan. You can chose the artist you like best or just decide from the weapon the different characters carry ( I remember that Method Man had a giant hammer and I think 'Rza had two swords. Odb was the master of drunken boxing with the special ability to drink from his bottle causing something to happen I don't remember). When you have chosen you begin your proud journey against the evil in a temple with 36 chambers in which each there's a task ( one or more opponents) waiting for you. Unfortunately I didn't finish the game but that's not really important since it is definitely not the story mode that made the game to what it is. Like every other fighting gameit is the multi player mode which defines such a game. normally, when I play with my friends the console is running along with the stereo. With Shaolin style that was different. the music underlying the fights was just great. I think there's also a soundtrack out with all the deep songs performed by..guess who. I don't believe, that it were new songs but at least it were some rather unknown or less known songs. No C.R.E.A.M or Method Man or so. And to that music you was now able to beat the hell out your friends and to nod slowly with the beat. And by the way. Since it is not hard to learn this is one of the games you don't have to be sober for. if you want to organize a calm evening with some of your friends: Buy some beer, roll some blunts and get the PS out of the basement where it has spend the last years collecting dust. Then buy the game (or download it, rent it, lend it whatever) I really hope that one day someone will come up with the idea to bring this game out for PS 2 or maybe 3/Xbox/360. I'd be the first to buy it.
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