Review of The Man with the Iron Fists (2012) by Chris M — 15 Mar 2013

The Wu-Tang's RZA has his cake and eats it too in Man with the Iron Fist. Now, the film may not be the best thing of the year, but achieves in entertainment. Big names, hip hop, and martial arts may not satisfies everyone, but it does the trick for me.

There may be potential within the RZA since he does an exceptional job here especially since it is his first film in directorial duties. Co-written with Eli Roth, RZA displays beginning skills with some of the action scenes.

He could use some work on the storytelling and narration. The story involves too many things and characters spread out in China. The villainous Lion Clan hears that gold is going to a village so, they are going to intercept it.

First, they must defeat their other rivals and to do that they go to blacksmith (RZA). The blacksmith provides them with rather ridiculous weapons which end up working. The Lion Clan then murders its leaders which another character jumps in, X-Blade.

He is looking to avenge his father's death. Those rascals in the Lion's Clan then successfully attack and steal the gold with the help from the co-conspirator Poison Dagger. They go and hideout at a brothel hosted by Madam Blossom (Lucy Liu), and in comes in Brass Body (Dave Bautista, the wrestler).

As the Lions sleep with the prostitutes, Madam Blossom and her girls conspire to whack the Lions and take the gold. Learning the attack, the governor sends troops to retrieve the gold and use force by all means.

Inside the brothel, lies another man and his name is Jack Knife (Russell Crowe). He is an opium smoking whore loving British agent dressed as an American outlaw from the Spaghetti Westerns donning an Australian accent.

He is armed with a knife/pistol that has a cool trick. A fight ensues the plaza, bodies drop, and limbs fly around. I am not joking! Finally and exhaustively walks in a final man, the blacksmith and he is the Man with Iron Fist (RZA).

Yes, that is a lot to swallow as the RZA has himself tangled with such characters, plots, and connections. Yet, Man with the Iron Fist serves very well as entertainment. The action is nothing unique, but is entertaining to watch.

The film also blends in hardcore hip hop with kung fu, he-ya! The performances are... pausing, are something (nod my head). I was humored by the dialogue the Lions had. I could have sworn their parts were dubbed in English even though they were speaking English! Yet, what stood out for me was Mr.

Crow. No, he does not deliver a compelling performance worthy of an Oscar nomination. Instead, I was astounded by how fat he was. Heck, I could not help but think about the big gut he has. I did not pay this much attention to a body part since Phoebe Dollar's evil and ungodly lips in Hell's Highway.

If I could, I would love indulge you with my interest in Crow's big teddy stomach, but I unfortunately ran out of time. Man with the Iron Fist is an entertaining indulging film for those who seek action and fun.