LIBENJYEO (REVENGER (2019))

For a long time, it seemed like well-filmed and edited fights in a Hollywood movie would always be an exception to the norm. In the last 5 years or so, there have been changes. There are still examples on both sides, but it doesn't seem that either one is predominant. No matter what, those wanting a proper representation of the art of capturing and presenting a combat could always take comfort in Asian movies. So imagine my dismay when watching LIBENJYEO (REVENGER)! The angles, the camera movements, the cuts that kill the illusion that the actors are doing the stunts... None of it works! There are zoom-ins out of a cheesy 70s martial arts movie, even though it's trying to be create a serious tone. No, I take that back. Those movies only used zoom-ins to close up on faces during to create tension before the fight (or at least try to). Here, they use them during the fights. Not just on faces, but also other body parts during wide shots. And they're immediately followed by zoom-outs, which is even more distracting. However, not all the fight sequences are on the same level. The 1st one is the only one that's truly hard to follow, and the last one wasn't terrible... until the last 10 seconds. Without spoiling anything, let's just say that, even though both opponents aren't full of energy anymore, the intention is clear: The one who eventually wins is supposed to display a certain amount energy, but the actor playing him becomes unnaturally stiff. Even his intense victory scream feels tame. The worst part, ironically, is that it does not have a bad story or characters i.e. the things that usually aren't that good in this genre because all the effort tends to go to the action.

4/10
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