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The Man with the Iron Fists

Starring: RZA, Russell Crowe, Cung Le, and Lucy Liu
Directed by: RZA
Screenplay by: Eli Roth and RZA

     If you're familiar with the rap group known as the Wu-Tang Clan, you probably know of RZA.  This is his first feature film and I'm not terribly impressed.
     There's treasure in Jungle Village.  Warriors, bandits, and even a British soldier (Russell Crowe) are trying to get their hands on it.  Meanwhile, the clans who live in Jungle Village are warring amongst themselves over the death of one of the clan leaders.  So now with all of this chaos going on, it's up to the Blacksmith (RZA) to ensure everyone's safety, and the safety of Jungle Village.
     While the concept of this film isn't all that original, it's a concept that is often depicted quite well and serves as the base for a good storyline, even in this film.  My problems with this film do not lie in the story, but in the way the story is brought to the silver screen.
      One problem; the acting in this film is among the worst acting I've seen in a film so far in 2012.  Even the Academy award winner, Russell Crowe, does not deliver the most formidable of performances.  Everyone is simply way too overdramatic and it makes the film seem a little more like a soap opera than an action-packed flick.
      Another issue with the film is the special effects in the action sequences, specifically the blood.  The fake blood is so cheesy and so obviously photoshopped into the scene that some of the action sequences don't even look all that realistic.
      On a more positive note regarding the action sequences, they are quite well choreographed.  Considering just about everything else is bad about this film, the action sequences are about the only positive thing I can find about this film.  The action happens quite quickly and if you blink, you'll probably miss something (like really horrible blood effects).
      It takes a lot for me to actually think about walking out of a movie theater before the movie ends because the film is so bad.  Every year, there are one or two films that make me wonder why I spent the money to see it, and this is the first film like that of 2012.  But for this film, only the first twenty minutes  made me think like that.  After the first twenty minutes, the movie does get better, but not much better.  This is the kind of film that is only good for its action sequences, making some teenage boys very happy.  If you want violence and really bloody violence, this is the film for you.  But if you want anything more than that like good acting or a decent story, go see something else.
      If I could punch this movie in the face, I would write a large F on my fist and then punch it.  Not even a passing grade.  Perhaps RZA should stick to music.

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