Subtitle: Speaking of Japan...
Alright, so we know that Kanye loves Nippon like what, but what about other dudes? Seriously, it's a fact that White people love Japanese culture (Cauc-asian is Latin for "Love-Asian"), but Kanye and Pharrell (just watch this video -- dude rhymes in Japanese)? And don't forget Forest Whitaker in "Ghost Dog," a classic flick. Which leads me to my current review of Redbelt
Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a (Black) Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor who, though well-reputed in the fighting community, is as broke (did I mention that he's Black?). He refuses to fight for money and chooses to stick to running his academy, where he emphasizes the importance of jiu-jitsu as a survival method, not a means of income. Because of a series of circumstances, he encounters a movie star (Tim Allen) who traps him in a con, where he is obligated to fight in a tournament match.
With that setup, this film could easily have been Bloodsport 8, but it was more artful than your typical kung fu/martial arts flick (spoilers below). Now's timely for a movie that plays on the rise of mixed martial arts, but Redbelt wasn't just about the (awesome) fighting; it was about purity and honor.
This movie's great in that it doesn't stress plot continuity over its overarching themes (purity vs. corruption, truth vs. deception, etc.) Truth be told, I wish that I didn't see the trailer, because it had me hyped about the part where Ejiofor
Rating: 4/5 stars (****)
*****Spoilers*****
The ending of the movie where the grandmaster gives Ejiofor the red belt really reminded me of the ending of On the Waterfront, where the owner of the shipping company comes out of nowhere to break up mob involvement. In each case, it's like something that's much greater than you is entering your life. Not a "deus ex machina," but something better.
***Spoilers done**
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