FISTS OF LEGEND

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Coming to DVD this Tuesday from director Woo-Suk Kang and CJ Entertainment comes an All-Star cast with FISTS OF LEGEND.

This film tells the story of a television show that touts itself as the greatest fight show on Earth. The ring is open up to anyone with enough courage to take on an opponent. Rating have been falling and the producers are looking for something to get people watching again.

They decide to look for legends of fight and offer then a chance to win $200,000. Three men Deok-kyu, Jae-seok and Sang-hoon all have a reason to take a chance on the money. Once childhood friends, one incident separated them and now, twenty-five years later they have a chance to win money – each for different needs.

The question is, however, do those twenty-five years count for anything. Is there still an issue to be resolved or will each man go for it all to get the money.

One more time they take on their own demons in a fight to the finish.

FINAL WORD: Each of the three fighters has a past they are trying to deal with. Deok-kyu dreamed of the Olympics, Jae-seok always wanted to be in a high spot in a gang and Sang-hoon who became an executive.

Watching their story of childhood unfold, it becomes slowly clear what broke these friends apart. Mixing the story of past and present, Kang does so in an evenhanded way. The fight scenes are excellent and the father-daughter relationship is not everything it seems to be.

Dubbed in English there are moments of lighthearted comedy, whether intentional or not it is still there. Hearing the ROCKY theme from time to time I thought was a sampling of the music but when it plays out it brings a chuckle but at the same time that’s the music to pump up any fighter.

CJ Entertainment has, since 1995, provided original content in film, television and DVD with genres covering comedy, drama, action, and sci-fi/horror. With a vast library they are a force in contemporary Korean and Pan-Asian cinema around the world. You can discover what more they have to offer at www.cj-entertainment.com.

Other cast include: Jeong-min Hwang, Woong-in Jung, Yu-won Lee, Jun-Sang Yoo and Je-Mun Yun.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give FISTS OF LEGEND three tubs of popcorn out of five. This is not only a film about fighting in the ring but about how a young friendship can leave a lasting scar. There are some serious moves here in an MMA style caged ring. If you are looking for action with a sub-story then FISTS OF LEGEND should be in your own personal library!

The DVD contains special features with THE LIVING LEGEND: The Making of Fists of Legend, CRY OF 3 MEN: Original Soundtrack Recording, I’M THE BEST: Poster Shoot and 19th OUTING: The Premier of Fists of Legend. Coming in at 131 minutes there is something for everyone!

In the end – it once again becomes the greatest fight show on Earth!