Redbelt (2008) Reviews
- Starring:
- Chiwetel Ejiofor, Emily Mortimer, (more)
- Director(s):
- David Mamet
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Category:
- Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Action / Adventure
Member Rating
My RatingAverage Ratings
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful The movie had an airy feel to it. The movie's take on purity of sports and the entertainment could be felt throughout the storyline. The special features were a good treat as you get a better ... Read More The movie had an airy feel to it. The movie's take on purity of sports and the entertainment could be felt throughout the storyline. The special features were a good treat as you get a better understanding of the film, Brazilian (aka Japanese) mixed martial arts. Tim Allen was okay in what I believe is his first serious role. Overall, it was something to watch, but not get excited over. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful I thought I knew exactly what this movie would be like from watching the previews and I thought "oh, what the heck, rent it anyway" Boy was I wrong. Yes the movie is about martial arts but it is no ... Read More I thought I knew exactly what this movie would be like from watching the previews and I thought "oh, what the heck, rent it anyway" Boy was I wrong. Yes the movie is about martial arts but it is no Karate Kid movie. It is a jaw opening thriller with unseen twists and turns and a surprise ending. It has warmth and seriousness but doesn't use the seriousness in an attempt to make a "world changing statement". The beginning and parts of the movie seemed a little herky-jerky and frantic which almost caused me to tune it out but I'm glad I didn't. The movie had me asking myself and my wife questions for a few days after and as you can tell, from me writing this review, I'm still thinking about it. I will buy this movie and watch again and again. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful Rent this film if you like David Mamet and stories about moral complexity and duplicity. BJJ and MMA only provide the context for the plot, and while there is some gratifying action, you will be ... Read More Rent this film if you like David Mamet and stories about moral complexity and duplicity. BJJ and MMA only provide the context for the plot, and while there is some gratifying action, you will be sorely disappointed if you are looking to watch a movie solely about MMA fighting. Great film, very much in line with Mamet's other works. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
4 out of 7 people found this review helpful None of it makes sense. Why did Tim Allen's character get the "sensei" to come to his house, the movie set, and promise to co-produce the movie with him? To "steal" his ju-jitsu ideas or the ... Read More None of it makes sense. Why did Tim Allen's character get the "sensei" to come to his house, the movie set, and promise to co-produce the movie with him? To "steal" his ju-jitsu ideas or the frickin' pebble handicap idea? (3 pebbles placed in a bowl, one black two white...each fighter grabs a pebble if it's black you either get one or both hands bound or you fight blindfolded....stupid I know). If you are a movie star that produces movies why don't you just pay someone? I guess David Mamet thought it would be a good believable story if the characters came up with an elaborate plot that involved framing a cop with stolen goods, stealing ju-jitsu moves that are public knowledge and fixing fights.
Oh, and his wife sells him out at the end. Was she in on the plan the whole time? And speaking of the plan...what exactly was the plan? To get this guy to fight? Ooohhhhh, great plan. Who gives a rip if this guy fights on an undercard, pebble handicap tournament. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful David Mamet is an American treasure, with a string of great movies and plays to his credit. Mixed martial arts is awesome, and fertile material for a great movie. So what the heck happened? This film ... Read More David Mamet is an American treasure, with a string of great movies and plays to his credit. Mixed martial arts is awesome, and fertile material for a great movie. So what the heck happened? This film is terribly flawed with unusually clunky dialog, abrupt transitions and impossible-to-believe scenarios (all that drama from the accidental discharge of a firearm that harmed no one?) I fully expected to at least like, if not love, this film. But Mamet just put this mess on cruise control and churned out TV-level drivel one might see in "The Unit." Very disappointing. Very sub-par. But he and MMA deserve better. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
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