Fists of Righteous Harmony (2008) (V)

Directors:

Metin Gungor
Aaron Huisenfeldt

Writers:

Aaron Huisenfeldt (creator)
Aaron Huisenfeldt (screenplay)

Release Date:

2009 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Fantasy

Tagline:

As long as evil exists, so too must The Fists.

Plot:

The Fists of Righteous Harmony is a group of centuries-old crime fighters that use highly developed...

Plot Keywords:

Fighting | Martial Arts | Motorcycle | Sword | Wu Tang

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Andrew Hwang	...	Point Man / Zhang Fei (as Elbert Traister)
Siso Kamburov	...	Ace / Ivan (as Svilen Kamburov)
Joe Saldana	...	Syko / Giovanni / Joe
Aaron Huisenfeldt	...	Big MF / Antonio Gesualdo
Metin Gungor	...	Franco Gungori
Pat Toohey	...	The Dark Monk
Andrea Jackson	...	Andrea McClintock
Tiffany McClintock	...	Tiffany McClintock
Gregory Martin	...	Nick
Dave Marandola	...	Ricard
Arlan Jewell	...	Sgt. James Spiloggi (as Arlan Jewel)
Elizabeth Spilker	...	Woman Reading to Kids
Stephen Oyoung	...	Wu Jian
Holly Hoffman	...	Ashley Collins / Newsperson
Rachel de Leon	...	Sarah

Runtime:

USA:93 min (original version) | Argentina:95 min (DVD version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (HDCAM)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo (Digital)

Certification:

Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

Company:

Barking Tiger Productions

Trivia:

The post production and over 200 visual effects shots were done intermittently in Los Angeles and San Diego, California - all of which was done by Joe Saldana and Aaron Huisenfeldt. Since Joe lives in Los Angeles and Aaron lives in San Diego, they travelled back and forth with computer systems and as many as 25 external hard drives for the editing and visual effects for the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: The gunman trying to shoot Ace at the end of the movie is wearing a green overcoat when he originally shoots. He is also thin and about 6 feet tall. By the time he comes out of the door, he is wearing a shorter black and white coat, with the same gun, but the barrel is snapped off, and he is about 4 inches shorter.

Result: Kung Fu comes to LA, but where are the superstars?

Question: What do you get when you want to make an action film with no movie stars? You get a jumble titled "The Fists of Righteous Harmony" (seriously, why such a long, difficult name?), which will please its core audience but won't really amuse people not into martial arts, action or guns. There are lots of us out there that adore martial arts movies with plenty of well choreographed mayhem and "The Fists" seem to be a good choice for indie pleasures but the script and some of the acting kept me wondering at times.

The flashbacks are probably my favorite parts, and the grittiness of the scene at the motel.

The performers meet the demands of their roles, which are not exactly difficult. Throughout the movie, nothing unfolds predictably - but then again, I wasn't sure what to expect -. The fight scenes are fun, but the confusion factor and the apparent lack of experience are deadlier than any of the Fists lethal blows... that and the fact that the psychic should've fought in the end.

Warning: There are lots of bad words in this film, so parents beware; but few people go to martial arts movies to enjoy the beautiful language, and as an action lavishness, the film delivers. Cinematography is great at times with beautiful colors and nice contrasts... and at times it fails to deliver...

Will you enjoy it? Yes, if you watch it with an open mind.