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Death Warrior (DVD) – Can the UFC champs punch hard as actors?

2nd August 2010 By Tim Isaac

On the cusp of retirement, undefeated MMA champion Rainerio (Echavvaria) is looking forward to the quiet life with wife Kira (Clarke). But his dreams of white picket fences and a happily ever after are soon dashed when he is dragged into the dangerous world of underground fighting. Masterminded by the dastardly Ivan (Mancusco), the ‘to the death’ tournament pits a reluctant Rainerio against friends and foe alike. But with his beloved’s life resting on success, Rainerio is forced to soldier on through one bare knuckle bout after another.

Featuring some of the biggest names from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Death Warrior at least keeps to its strengths where it counts. The fight sequences are for the most part explosive and enjoyable, with smart choreography and confident combatants. And it has to be said, the violent and volatile personalities of the UFC’s well trained talent certainly translates well to the screen.

Unfortunately, these plus points are largely overshadowed by a threadbare plot that hovers on the wrong side of awful. Borrowing one too many pointers from subpar action films and revenge tales; Death Warrior never comes across like its own animal. It’s easy to indulge in the guilty pleasure of watching two well honed warriors knocking ten shades out of each other; but enduring through the stretches of awful dialogue and shaky performances proves a trial.

Saying that, there are a few bright lights in this questionable muddle. The likes of Echavvaria and Clarke rarely convince when it comes to the melodramatics, so it’s welcome relief that the villains of the piece play up to their two dimensions and deliver enjoyable, outlandish performances. Nick Mancusco is particularly enjoyable as slimy gangster Ivan, delighting with his intentionally OTT tirades and bastardly behaviour. He won’t make it into any Top Ten lists, but it’s an enjoyable performance nonetheless, and Mancusco seems to be having a whale of a time in the role.

As a whole, Death Warrior suffers from a scatterbrained plot and some poor dialogue, but for those on the hunt for fisticuffs and blood; it’ll appease some of that appetite. Sharp and crisp on DVD, unfortunately this release is severely let down by a total lack of features.

Overall Verdict: Entertaining enough in places; Death Warrior deals a few well aimed punches, but the story needs some real work.

Special Features:
None

Reviewer:David Steele

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