Pit Fighter-2005

Director: Jesse V. Johnson
Writer : Jesse V. Johnson

Running Time : 83 mins

Rating : R strong brutal violence, some language and sexuality.

Cast : Dominique Vandenberg, Steven Bauer, Stephen Graham, Stana Katic

  The movie's first scene opens up to images of a South American underground pitfighting club. The crowd is warmed up to the violence by chained dogs snarling and lashing out, held just out of range by their collars, Money exchanges hands but the tone instead is slightly mournful. All the while, fleeting scenes of the fighters parading towards the ring, heads covered and bowed, become the primary focus. It's fight night, and the crowd wants blood. The battle is part Ultimate Fighting Championship, the scene is well put together shot set-up for a brutal and violent atmosphere. A pile of money goes to victor's trainer, and they walk out as they came in. All in a night's work for a pit fighter.
    The story is a tale of one mans redemption through violence. It is here where the fun begins the fight scenes are kept to a more real approach opposed to going for the wire work ballet found in a huge action flicks favouring the MMA approach, the fights have a gritty edge and the hero played by an enigmatic 'Dominique Vandenberg' who does demonstrate a legit martial arts background,  Vandenberg plays it very cool as Jack Severino, El Yanqui and Steven Bauer puts in a very respectable performance as his manager and friend. The shoot outs are pretty brutal, special mention to the end blaze of glory. But the quality of filming and the unusual little editions is what will keep you watching this film. There's not much story here and Its filmed on the artsy side but does have some pretty kickass fight scenes!

5/10 Stars