3 minute read
FILM & MOVIE REVIEW
By Philip Cable
ARENA WARS
Throwback to the 90s era Action
Plot: In 2045 convicted criminals are given the opportunity to compete on the world’s #1 televised sporting event, Arena Wars They must survive 7 rooms and 7 of the most vicious killers in the country If they win, they regain their freedom.
Arena Wars is the latest indie actioner from Brandon Slagle (The Flood) and at a lean 90 minutes it is packed with fight scenes from beginning to end with arguably the best villain death I’ve seen since the 90s. Kudos to Slagle for bringing back this important element from the genre.
Arena Wars doesn’t have a massive budget and at times it is a little too darkly lit to see what’s happening in the fight scenes, but it doesn’t take away from some of the fantastic gore.
I love the outfits of the Arena Wars opponents who look like Mad Max and The Running Man extras crossed with Batman villains It’s hilariously violent with a huge body count and the characters are memorable too.
Bender is in prison having taken the fall for someone else in the Marines and he ends up fighting for his life in the Arena Wars. He reluctantly becomes a leader helping the other convicts try to survive and most of the movie involves all of them beating the shit out of the opponents in thoroughly satisfying fashion.
Overall, Arena Wars is proof you don’t need a huge budget to make a cracking fight film with some gruesome kills and the best bad guy death I’ve seen in years.
"Arena Wars" is a pulse-pounding action flick that harkens back to the gritty excitement of late 90s cinema. Starring heavyweights like Eric Roberts, Michael Madsen, and Robert LaSardo, this film delivers a high-octane spectacle that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Directed by Brandon Slagle, "Arena Wars" transports viewers to a dark, neo-futuristic world where condemned prisoners battle for their freedom on a deadly TV show. John Wells stars as Luke Bender, a wrongfully imprisoned marine forced into this gladiatorial hellscape. Kevin Hagar delivers a chilling performance as the show's unscrupulous producer, who will stop at nothing to skyrocket the ratings.
Allen Woodman's Stunt choreography and fight choreography is spectacular. He also plays the head gladiator “Calypso” the dealer of death for the film
It features raw and visceral fight scenes with chainsaws, pickaxes, and machetes. The lack of special effects brings a refreshing realism to the brutal combat. It's a blast of martial arts mayhem crossed with Roman gladiators vs TV Wrestling at its best.
Produced by Sonny and Michael Mahal, the film's armor-clad gladiators are relentless killing machines, creating an atmosphere of relentless dread and unyielding action. "
Arena Wars" encapsulates the very essence of what action movies should be thrilling, relentless, and intensely entertaining. Available on major streaming platforms, this 2024 release is a must-see for fans of adrenaline-fueled entertainment.
