Comments on: Born to Fight (2004) Review

By: DougWonnacott

DougWonnacott — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 12:29:36 +0000

I think I’m the only person who actually liked the characters and the basic premise (perhaps not enough there to call it a full blown ‘plot’). Each member of sports team had a moment early in the film to either display a specific character trait or establish a particular relationship with one of the villagers which is all paid off later in the film. Everyone gets their moment, the motivations are clear, and if you consider that NONE of the main characters are played actual ‘actors’ (they are almost all either stunt people or professional sportsmen/women), I don’t think the performances are too bad. I love the sport influenced choreography, it makes the action feel completely original (I have seen Gymkata though). It is highly implausible and completely ridiculous, but so are almost all martial arts films, nobody has that many fights in real life.

Panna Rittakrai was (IMO) the absolute best choreographer from the last 20 years when it comes to delivering original, unique highly stylized fight action. Raging Phoenix and Bangkok Knockout are other great examples of this. I think he’s highly underrated and his death was a devastating loss to action cinema.

A Touch of Zen is coming out remastered on Blu Ray soon (in the UK) and I can’t wait. That’s the great thing about the martial arts genre, it includes films as diverse A Touch of Zen and Born to Fight, I love them both, but in very different ways.

By: chrichtonsworld

chrichtonsworld — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 03:36:09 +0000

I also miss the glory days of Hong Kong film making. But sadly it doesn’t look like Hong Kong will ever go back to them. So we kinda have to rely on the countries that do. And Thailand does a great job. Is Born to Fight brilliant? It depends on how you look at it. What do most people expect from martial arts / action films? Good action and stunt work. If you seriously are claiming that you rather see a good film with average action then a weak film with good action then you got some screws loose. Most HK action flicks were poor in the storytelling and acting department. However they were good enough to serve the action scenes. And that is exactly the case in Born to Fight. The story is just there to give the people the excuse to do these stunts. Naturally sometimes you will have to overlook the lack of credibility and logic but you have to do that with all of the action films.

By: Grace

Grace — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 06:09:48 +0000

Hey does anyone know the sountrack when they get on the bus to go to the village? I’ve been trying to look for that song. Help please. Thank u.

By: Arthur

Arthur — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:11:23 +0000

Decent film with nice fight scenes and chaotic action and mayhem. 7/10.

By: JJ Hatfield

JJ Hatfield — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 01:58:56 +0000

In reply to T. J. Gushiniere.

Okay how about a truce? Neither of us will mention or heaven forbid do a full length review of *Gymkata*. I’m not going through with that again and I am not cruel enough to suggest you go “back there”. : )

By: T. J. Gushiniere

T. J. Gushiniere — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 02:40:23 +0000

In reply to JJ Hatfield.

That would definitely accelerate my writer’s block, and take 10 years of clear vision from my eyes if I watched “Gymkata” again! Thank you for the compliments JJ, but any growth I have attained as a writer is due to you and the wonderful people here at COF.!

By: JJ Hatfield

JJ Hatfield — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 06:11:00 +0000

In reply to JJ Hatfield.

Hey, I just realized I set this up wrong. YOU are the one who should have to write the flippin’ review! Make that your next assignment!!!!

By: JJ Hatfield

JJ Hatfield — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 06:39:33 +0000

* Movie information, please read.

It has come to my attention that there is also a 2007 – 8 version (U.S.) of Born To Fight.
I have not seen the “newer” version but the important issue is that the movie is edited about 30 minutes shorter than the original in 1994.

With this movie editing could actually be a good thing. I could have used a few less parents killed in front of their kids, etc. etc. However it has been my experience it was probably sliced and diced with no particular reason which means you will lose fighting and action. Hell the only thing going for this movie is Chupong and the fights and stunts! They are great and life threatening with a lot of brave/insane stunt guys.

I actually have no idea what has been cut. I do know nothing has been added. So buyer beware.
Make sure you compare differences before buying or even watching.

By: JJ Hatfield

JJ Hatfield — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 06:03:11 +0000

In reply to T. J. Gushiniere.

You really have already started to grow as a writer! Of course we were not exactly encouraged to actually write back in hell.

I was a little concerned some of my longer, in-depth reviews might not be welcomed here but fortunately Mighty Peking Man has been true to his word and never suggested I change and posts my occasional short reviews on bad movies just the same.

I have read hundreds of your reviews and never have I read something like above…

“but like water in my hand, it slips through my fingers.”

It’s a beautiful phrase that also is a summation to your comments!

By: JJ Hatfield

JJ Hatfield — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 05:54:00 +0000

In reply to T. J. Gushiniere.

Damn! Did you really have to mention “Gymkata”? Just for that I am gonna review that sucker! Why should I be the only one to suffer? I had almost put that crap about the “game” and where was it “Pari-stan?” out of my conscious memory. I’ll have my writers revenge!

By: T. J. Gushiniere

T. J. Gushiniere — Sat, 28 May 2011 02:04:12 +0000

In reply to Mighty Peking Man.

I love Bruceploitation movies myself, and there are a few as a whole that I enjoyed more than “Born To Fight”. As a whole, the story appealed to me in parts but got corny like you said. I always ask myself, was I entertained. ” Born To Fight” did entertain for what it was, and the only value I would get from watching it again would be fast forwarding to the stunts. Stunt wise, these guys are as good as HK 80’s. Story wise, I agree with you, they are lacking. “Born To Fight” is a Thai-production that I want to like more only because my experience with Thai films is what Tony Jaa did. In other words they seem fresh and cheesy, but like water in my hand, it slips through my fingers. 5/5 for me as a whole.

By: Mighty Peking Man

Mighty Peking Man — Fri, 27 May 2011 06:25:00 +0000

In reply to T. J. Gushiniere.

I don’t know, man. I judge a movie as a WHOLE, even if it’s a martial arts film. I seriously would rather take a great movie, with average fight/stunt scenes; than a weak movie, with great fight/stunt scenes. That’s just me though. There are exceptions though… =D

With some of the 80s and 70’s stuff (Above The Law), you got both. With some of these newer Thai movies, you get a soulless corny movie with a bunch of guys… well, you read my review. It’s a circus act!

But then again… I LOVE Bruceploitation movies lol

By: T. J. Gushiniere

T. J. Gushiniere — Fri, 27 May 2011 01:35:59 +0000

MPM! Well soldier, I see you are an 80’s HK did it better man. However, the stunts were death defying and crazy in this one. The people deserve a little credit. If the story was’nt so lame it would have added to the incredible action/stunts. As for what it is, I see your point but I think they did as well as the 80’s HK guys, at least in some instances. Other instances reminded me of that shining piece of film work “Gymkata” !

By: T. J. Gushiniere

T. J. Gushiniere — Fri, 27 May 2011 01:29:37 +0000

JJ! Great break down of an action fanatic’s dream movie. This movie is only for fast forwarding to the action for there is little acting.

By: Mighty Peking Man

Mighty Peking Man — Mon, 09 May 2011 03:06:33 +0000

In reply to Equinox21.

Great quote from a great movie. =D

By: Equinox21

Equinox21 — Sun, 08 May 2011 00:48:43 +0000

Mpm, you’re too impressed with yourself. Fuck you!