FIGHTING = a remake of LIONHEART??? by COOP **UPDATED**
Definitely one of the best Jean Claude Van Damme arena fighting movies, “Lionheart” opened theatrically in 1990 and solidified the actor’s action star status.
The story follows Lyon Gaultier (Van Damme) who goes AWOL from the French Foreign Legion when he hears his brother has been killed. He stows away to America to find his widowed sister in-law and niece living in poverty. A smooth-talking huslter, Joshua (Harrison Page) talks Lyon into entering an underground fight circuit after seeing Lyon beat up a few street punks. Desperate to find money for his extended family, Lyon joins the circuit, quickly rising in ranks. Upon reaching the top, Lyon and Joshua discover just how corrupt the sport can be as they risk it all in one final fight. Meanwhile, the Legion has discovered Lyon’s location and dispatch two soldiers to capture him and bring him back for punishment.
I have warm memories of this film. It had some great action and a lot of heart-tugging moments with Lyon, his family and Joshua.
Fast forward to 2009.
A new trailer appears for a film called “Fighting” (not very creative, eh?), starring Channing “I can get by on my looks” Tatum and Terrence “I’ll never get to be Iron Man” Howard. I immediately noticed this film is either a remake or rip-off of “Lionheart.” To differentiate it from the 1990 film, it looks like they jettisoned the Foreign Legion and family aspect and added a love interest. That’s it. Too bad because that’s where “Lionheart” found it’s heart. So I’m going to assume that this film doesn’t have the heart of “Lionheart.” Just another boring Hollywood reboot, stripped of the qualities audiences enjoyed in the first entry.
**UPDATE** Here’s my review of “Fighting” (sort of)…
To illustrate, let’s compare the trailers for the films.
First “Lionheart.” Check out this hilariously cheesy trailer that completely misrepresents the somber tone of the film. In fact, it reminds me a bit of the “Fighting” trailer…
Now “Fighting”…
What do you think? Shallow remake or interesting Channing Tatum vehicle? I think you can guess how I feel about it.
-Coop
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Ehh..
Lionheart was not a favorite of mine. And I had already seen the trailer for Fighting. Its unoriginal to say the least, and looks like another bland action vehicle for one of Hollywood’s up and coming actors(if you can even call Channning Tatum that..I can’t believe they cast him in G.I. Joe).
Interesting comparison though. That didn’t even occur to me. That’s how much Lionheart made an impact. Even so, its miles ahead of Fighting.
I think I could take Tatum down. The boy is as skinny as a post. Let’s see how he handles a few Krav Maga eye strikes.
Just watched Fighting tonight and after the first 15 min all I could think of was Lionheart andthen all I could think of is how much this movie sucked. Channing tatum doesn’t even look like a bad ass. He takes his shirt off and looks amazingly unimpressive. Also, it is obvious that he has no speed, agility, or any other skills that would make fight scenes look real and/or dramatic as in Lionheart. Terrible movie. I loved lionheart though.
Right on, Bob. I saw it and wanted to walk out halfway through but unfortunately I stuck it out. Total piece of crap film that made “Lionheart” look like a masterpiece. Tatum’s character was a high school wrestler and he somehow has the magical ability to take down UFC-caliber fighters? The jackass doesn’t even train (and that one quick scene where he does some push-ups in a subway car doesn’t count) and he’s too damn skinny. As an actor, he’s dumb as dirt and talks like a douchebag high school kid who is trying to act “urban” like that Jamie Kennedy character in “Malibu’s Most Wanted.” I have no doubt, one day we will see him washing cars in Encino with Vanilla Ice, Dan Cortese and Jeff “The Perfect Weapon” Speakman.
Everything was cliche. No one was likeable. I actually wanted Terrence Howard to get shived by Luis Guzman. I wanted Cung Le to KILL Tatum… and in real life he would have cuz he’s a no-s**t UFC fighter (for reals!).
I hated it so much, I didn’t even feel like reviewing it for fun or money.
You’re my new best friend. All hail JCVD.
-C
Bob, not sure if you caught it, but I wrote a post about your reply… http://www.smalltowncritic.com/2009/04/27/bob-is-right-fighting-sucks-by-coop/
-C
i hate the movie it suck yup it does.
no i was joking it rock not lollolllolol