2 and a half stars, one for Alice Braga, one for TIm Allen because they realized, "hey, is a Mamet movie!, I should act this way". Half a star because I still have some respect left for David Mamet.
Overall this movie is an intellectual, pompous attempt at an action movie. It comes across more as a locker/spa for sweaty men film. Mamet did attempt to insert one of his 'who set who up and why' plots but it was solved so quickly, it felt uninspired and rushed. Skip, there's no Spanish Prisoner here. The action sequences were probably directed by my cats, who fight with more passion, but don't know how to respond to 'CUT'
The whole honor first storyline is sh*t and childish...this is Karate Kid for the 'indie' crowd who refuses to admit they loved Ralpha Macchio and Pat Morita. ..(those two did it better anyway)
By the way, this thing has more testosterone than an underground hormone dealer. Not the action movie type of testo, the 'as honorable men we should totally 'jiu-jitsu makeout and grope' testo
Ejiofor is a fucking badass! Usually whenever good actors get a hold of Mamet's screenplays they can really do something with it and this is a prime example. This guy is like the black John C. Reilly, he's always dependable and always gives every performance his all. The ending is a little rushed though and I wish they would have gone more into the character than the con. But you have to respect any film that takes a guy like Tim Allen and makes him bearable even if it is for a only a couple of scenes. Nice cinematography by Elswit.
Ejiofor is the main reason to see this film. He's a great actor. It's a bit short and the hanging ending is a WTF?! It seems a little too cut and dry, like Mamet reached a point and didn't know what to do with it. That being said, it's a solid film, elevated by Ejiofor's calm performance of sticking to his values. Short, sweet and welcome back Mamet.
The film had very interesting set-ups, but they never seem to engage you or excite; nor did I particularly care for the main character. The only character worth caring for was Emily Mortimer's, the others are always the same.
Chet Frank: So you teach people how to fight? Mike Terry: I teach people how to prevail
This is a martial arts movie, with blends of the respect and honor motifs found in a samurai film, written and directed by David Mamet, who basically infuses his style into this film creating a sort of noir-like martial arts movie. This means it will have the stylized Mamet dialog, a twisty con-game plot, as well as some action.
Mike Terry: You want the officer to walk you home? Huh? It's rough out there. Snowflake: Well after he gets his black belt he can walk me to the car. That'll make me feel secure. Mike Terry: How's the belt going to make you feel secure? Snowflake: I know his fucking pants aren't going to fall down.
Chiwetel Ejiofor, an actor I really enjoy on screen, is given the lead role of Mike Terry, a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu master working out of a small self-defense studio in LA. He and his wife are getting by, but have relations with various folk around town, including a bouncer/cop, a loan shark, and some fight promoters.
Mike gets involved in saving a famous movie star (played by a very good Tim Allen) from a bad bar brawl and gets in his good graces. Mike is offered some consultant help on a film, and things seem to be looking up.
Marty Brown: Everything in life, the money's in the rematch.
Of course, being a Mamet con game, Mike is essentially one of the only good people around, and after having the rug pulled from under him, he has to get back his honor.
The story of the film works very well and is interesting to see unfold. There are a number of little side-plots as well, which further aid the story, but the film only stumbles a bit towards the end, when Mamet's dialog stops and the fighting commences.
That being said, Mamet does stick with realism, for the most part in terms of display, and shoots a very good looking portrayal of this style of martial arts.
Many of the Mamet regulars are here, including Joe Mantegna, David Paymer, Ricky Jay, and Mamet's wife Rebecca Pidgeon. Allen, as I mentioned, fits in very well here, and Ejiofor is great for this type of leading man. His character is an idealist, in favor of his honor system and combines this well with the rhythms of Mamet's dialog.
The end does pile on all the reveals of what has gone down, combined with a sort of speedy pay off combining the reveal and how to deal with it, but I enjoyed it because it looks good and because I love Mamet's dialog, which lays the characters attitude on first in a sort of code understood between them, letting the audience catch up.
Mike Terry: There is no situation you could not escape from. You know the escape.
I thought this movie was pretty good. More about honor & proper martial arts vs hollywood sleaze than a kung-fu crapfest. My douchebag friend Peach didn't like it because there were no boobs or broken bones. Recommended!
First of all Redbelt is a horrible excuse for a movie. I disliked everything about it. Horrible story, horrible dialogue, horrible HORRIBLE acting, etc. I can honestly say that I would choose any, yes ANY chuck Norris film over this one. I don't care if Chuck it shooting, kicking, or playing in some cheap Disney knock-off. What's worse is that Chiwetel Ejofor is an awesome actor...
For anyone looking for Hollywood to make a good Mixed Martial Arts film (Never Back Down was nothing but a bad Karate Kid adaptation), let me just say this is not the film you are looking for. If you're looking for hardcore fights and awesome action, you'll be hugely disappointed. This is a David Mamet film through and through, that just happens to be partially set in the world of MMA. It's a drama, it's slow, it's talky, it's (intentionally) confusing, and it's unconventional. Does that make it a bad film? No.
The story, like most Mamet works, is almost noirish. It's got conspiracies, twists, and dark moments, yet its focus remains truly on the main character. The ending, which some find confusing, makes complete sense to me and truly fits the story and gives the title its meaning.
Chiwetol Ejiofor's performance alone makes it worth watching. He is one of the most underrated actors working today, and his work here confirms that yet again.
I would recommend this film to anyone, but just know what it is. If you go in expecting a movie about fighting, you'll just feel betrayed and misled.
When I heard the David Mamet wrote a martial arts movie I thought that he had finally gone Hollywood. WHile it is not a Glen Gary Glen ross or even a Spanish Prisoner, it is not a Karate Kid sequel either. It is more about the honor of martial arts than it is about winning it all in the final competition. I recommend this film to people who are in martial arts because I feel that they will get it more that others. But as a Mamet film it is more of a miss than a hit. I like his research, I like his dialogue, but I didn't quite feel this movie.
I think I liked this film.. Hmmm.. weird feeling after watching it. Maybe thats a good thing. Chitwetel Ejiofor, again, is awesome. I was pretty engrossed in it up until the last few minutes which felt a little unbelievable and corny. The jury is still out for me. I did, however, enjoy it as a character sketch of a guy who tried to stand for something even though the entire world either sells him out or steals from him. Interesting to see David Mamet attack this material. Probably worth the view, even though the ending feels awkward.
This solid modern day samurai tale in the world of MMA has all the makings of the classic Akira Kurosawa films. The lone warrior following the bushido code in a sea of corruption and temptation in an uncompomising world is a theme well known in samurai movies and David Mamet uses a contemporary martial art style to honor such films. Although slow in the beginning it manages to capture the viewers interest on a man who does not belong in modern day society and how every compromise of his principles lead to another devastating compromise.
Action fans may be a bit dissapointed due to the scarce fight scenes throughout the film, but true martial arts film lovers will appreciate it's message and homage to the samurai film.
The first time I saw this movie, I liked it quite a bit, but a lot of plot points and nuances flew by me because of Mamet's ultra tight structure and patented dialogue. The second viewing was much better.
A movie about Mixed Martial Arts that has only the last 10 minutes of fighting. It has an awful ending, best bet is to skip this and watch Bloodsport again.
alot like never back down but aimed at mature fighters even ends the same as never back down.... if you have to pick between never back down and redbelt go with this movie atleast couture is in it and not a bunch of asshole kids
Exceptional cast to only to be let down by a plot with more holes in it than swiss cheese. Difficult to follow in parts and felt disconnected with the characters. A real shame for me cause the idea of the film is brilliant, just the execution was lacking.
Redbelt is about Loyalty, Honour, Dignity, Self-Discipline and Self-Control. After watching this movie, I just want to get into a martial arts school! Lovely movie. Contains betrayal and tragedy! Nice movie on the whole. 5 STARS!!!
Wow. What a solidly written adult drama. The story surrounds a handful of strong characters, primarily Chiwetel Ejiofor and his jiu-jitsu acadamy. He encounters money troubles and new people, and thinks he finds a way out of certain predicaments. The pacing isn't super quick, but the drama is engaging and the dialogue and story are really good. It all comes together in a climax that is so unbelievably awesome I wanna see it again so soon. Highly recommended.
Would've been better if it hadn't left so many arcs open and questions unanswered. Nevertheless, this movie is an (almost) great story about a warrior's trials and tribulations featuring yet another amazing performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor.
wow, I was really surprised by Redbelt because I was expecting an Action film, not a drama.
Chiwetel Ejiofor did really well as the main character.
Tim Allen played his role well enough,
as did Joe Mantenga.
I would have loved to see more of Alice Braga & Emily Mortimer.
IMO the film needed to be another 1/2 hour to an hour longer. There was so much character development and yet not enough. Not enough action either for me since that was what I was expecting.
MCT:September 6, 2008
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MCT:August 26, 2008
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