The Process (1998)

When martial arts champion Pinoy travels to America, his fighting skills are put to the test when he finds himself in the middle of a violent gang war. Forced into sudden street combat ... See full summary »

Director:

Ernie Reyes Jr.

Writers:

Manu Tupou, Ernie Reyes Jr.

Stars:

Ernie Reyes Jr., Corin Nemec, Ernie Reyes Sr.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ernie Reyes Jr.	...	Jesse
Corin Nemec	...	Hitler
Ernie Reyes Sr.	...	Senior
Shishir Inocalla	...	Pinoy
Kimo Leopoldo	...	Kimo
Dennis Brown	...	Godfather
Julie K. Smith	...	Secretary
Ann Estrada	...	Karen
Melissa Barker Sauer	...	Susan (as Melissa Barker-Sauer)
Daniella Evangelista	...	Katie
Justin Warfield	...	Marty
Robin Webb	...	Karate Instructor
Benito H. Eccobedo	...	Master
Keith McNamara	...	Mick Morrison
Brent Nelson	...	Limo Driver

Storyline

When martial arts champion Pinoy travels to America, his fighting skills are put to the test when he finds himself in the middle of a violent gang war. Forced into sudden street combat against fierce members of the Crazy Dragons gang, Pinoy saves the life of Jesse. Impressed with Pinoy's amazing fighting abilities and grateful for his life, Jesse befriends the stranger, introducing him to his father. But this new found friendship is put to the test when the Crazy Dragons surround Jesse's home, threatening the lives of his family. Suddenly the two must protect what they cherish, and with the help of Kimo summon all their martial arts strength for an action packed ultimate fight to the death.

---

Plot Keywords:

martial arts | 

---

Taglines:

A martial arts champion travels to America in search of his ultimate destiny.

---

Genres:

Action

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive violence, strong language and some drug use

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Ultimate Fight

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pinoy Productions,Westar Films

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

User Reviews

The Process of confusion

Sadly, this is a less than stellar effort from those involved. As Ernie Reyes Jr. is star and director of the film, putting him front and center, I can only say the film gives the impression of one confused individual. This being made back in '98, he's hopefully recovered from whatever ailed him. Characters and situations are all over the map, and there is a very malicious anti-authority and anti-religion tone to the film, though it's worth noting that 3 years later, Reyes starred in The Secret of the Horse, a short film with a pro-Christian message, whether it was simply work for hire or change in his belief system I don't know. At any rate, the usually sharp fighting technique Reyes has displayed before is absent here.

As noted elsewhere, there is little in the way of morality to be found in any of the characters or the film itself. This in and of itself isn't always a problem. But usually we witness an arc of some sort, for example Blood Diamond's mercenary character, the aging gangster in Charlie Valentine, or the cold hit man in The Killer, all undergo a redemption of sorts. Even when there is no apparent arc, for example Lee Marvin in Point Blank, Mel Gibson in Payback, Benicio del Toro and Ryan Phillipe in Way of the Gun, or Warren Oates in Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia, the main characters are of interest and manage to avoid being one dimensional.

Of course, all of the above are exceptional films so you may not think it fair to compare them to The Process, but I'm not since to do so would be ridiculous, I'm simply citing why the lack of morality fails to work in this film. Which may all be a moot point as sadly, the film pretty much fails on all counts.