Review of The Man with the Iron Fists (2012) by Leigh H — 26 Dec 2014

Why is it, when you wait so very long to see a movie that holds great expectations, more often than not you are only left severely disappointed? The Man with the Iron Fists belongs to a category of film I absolutely love, a genre of martial arts mixed with fantasy i.e.: House of Flying Daggers; Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. I really thought this film after seeing it's trailer would fall into the category, so very mistaken was I.

Rza (the rapper) wrote, directed and stared in this atrocity to the genre. The story is a common one, little village filled with martial art warriors each with their own technique to bludgeoned and murder their unfortunate victims. The Blacksmith (Rza) is the creator of all of these weapons and his one goal is to get out of the village and rescue his concubine from the Pink Blossom where she is hired to entertain. The Blacksmith for a very long time has made unusual and very over the top weapons for the two tribes that reside within Jungle Village even though they don't get along. Meanwhile the Emperors gold has been stolen and every warrior, gun for hire and assassin will kill for the rights to call it their own.

The film begins as they usually do with a big martial art battle to set the scene and show the good from the bad The Jackals and The Lions being the two groups, suddenly rap music sung/spoken or whatever the hell you want to call it is blasted over the top. I felt the heckles on the back of my neck stand on end all in one instance, it didn't fit the scene and certainly didn't add anything constructive to the goings on. Follow that with some terrible voice over acting by Rza himself and already I could feel the seat I was in begin to lose its comfort factor, it was going to be a long film.

Perhaps I am far too set in my traditional ways, being a film endorsed by Quintin Tarantino should I really expect anything but the unknown! Then again with what he has produced over the years why wouldn't I expect another spaghetti/martial arts western style mash up?

What did follow for the next 30 mins or so is a lot of blood splattering, broken bones, outrageous scenes and the weapons to match, as well as some absolutely dreadful acting. (Rza I'm looking at you mate) Enough of a train wreck to warrant me a bathroom break anyway. However for the next hour I was pretty much hooked, the story began to take form and some real actors were introduced to the screen, actors I actually appreciate and admire. Russell Crowe is very cartoonish as Jack Knife but he does get some fantastic scenes and has a great character to play. Lucy Lui is another one of my favorites, and here she doesn't let me down again as Madam Blossom at the Pink Blossom. Even Pam Grier has a cameo. Bryan Mann does a fantastic impression of David Bowie from Labyrinth with his manga inspired hair and costumes but is very over the top as Silver Lion, not that I feel in a bad way.

The choreography of the fight scenes was brilliant as were the set designs and costumes. I did get the feeling I had seen this village before in another film but that only added to the story for me. If Rza stayed behind the camera and filled the lead with.... Anyone but him, I honestly believe this film would be brilliant, unfortunately though, if I haven't made it very clear, Rza is the one problem, his acting skills both on screen and as a voice over. They have left the ending quite purposely ready for a sequel, I really hope Rza gets some advice and listens before he attempts it once again.

Rza does his best with his directorial debut trying very hard to emulate Quintin Tarantino unfortunately he just doesn't have skill or knowhow of the master film maker. Perhaps he thought after Django Unchained he would know enough. The Man with the Iron Fists is a fun, over the top bloody mess, something to watch when there is nothing else on. Well worth seeing at least once in my opinion.

2 out 5 BanShee Screams.

X.

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