Cliched but understated and well acted. (Fighting (DVD))

Member Name: lmspinkprincess1

Product:	Fighting (DVD)
Date:	21/10/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Believable characters and good acting.

Disadvantages: Lacked some realism with the fighting scenes.

Fighting is a 2009 film produced by Misher films. It is a 15 rated movie and stars the fabulous Terrence Howard (Crash, Four brothers) as a scam artist and wanna be fighting agent with Channing Tatum (Step up) as his new found star fighter. It plays for 1 hour 43 minutes.

The basic plot centers around Shawn MacArther (Tatum) a good, small-town guy from living on the streets of New York. After trying to sell dodgy goods to make a living he is set upon by a small gang, ran by Harvey Boarden (Howard), who take his money causing a huge fight to break out in the street. Realising shawn can really look after himself, Harvey becomes his manager in the world of bare-knuckle street fighting.

After a lucky win against an experienced fighter, Harvey takes Shawn to a local club where Shawn meets a the love of his life, along with an old enemy from his wrestling days back at school. A series of fights follow each becoming more intense, accumilating in a final bout against his old enemy. Will Shawn throw the most important fight of his life, to save his manager Harvey, or will he keep his respect and get the girl?

I watched Fighting last night and enjoyed it but wasn't blown away or left wanting more. I was impressed with the acting from the majority of the cast but especially Terrence Howard who was completely different to anything I'd seen him in before. He is usually a strong character but in this he played the character as a bit nervous and easily intimidated whilst trying to put on a cocky and confident front. I empaphised with him throughout even though I was unsure if he was a good or bad guy until the end.

Channing Tatum showed that he is more versatile than he seems as his character has many levels from a tough exterior to being a genuinely good guy beneath. He played the character very understated which could come accross as boring or on-one-level, but I thought it was relevant to thd background of the character.

The film itself is also quite understated, there are no special effects, loud music or gorey makeup. No one gets killed. There are no pools of blood or guts spilling out. Just a few cuts and bruises really.

Some parts of the film lack realism as with all fighting movies, the main character looks as though he cant posibly win but then suddenly good conquers evil and he gets his second wind and wins, but we expect that of a hollywood flick.

There is one small sex scene which may be the reason for the 15 certificate but it is very timid with them both fully clothed.

Summary: Overall an enjoyable light-viewing movie.