Jiu Jitsu

Dimitri Logothetis Kickboxer's previous movie Kickboxer: Retaliation (2018), had totally conquered us and had established itself as an excellent old-fashioned action film revisiting the cult film by Jean-Claude Van Damme Kickboxer. In his new film Jiu Jitsu, an ancient order of jiu-jitsu fighters join forces every six years to fight a vicious race of alien invaders. When a famous war hero is defeated, the fate of the planet and humanity is at stake. Unfortunately this film, despite an excellent cast, disappoints by its lazy direction and its too visible way of proposing a sub Predator in which fighters must unite and find a way to annihilate an over-powerful alien that looks a lot like a power rangers who made the wrong film.

As much as we can welcome the idea of bringing together in the main roles the actors Alain Moussi, Frank Grillo, JuJu Chan, Tony Jaa and Nicolas Cage, we cannot at all validate an anemic scenario that is only a pretext to line up failed action scenes and without any real research in their choreography. While Nicolas Cage seems to take a malicious pleasure in lining up bad B-series and making us forget that he knows how to be an excellent actor (Oscar winner for Leaving Las Vegas (1995)) and rather efficient in action movies tailor-made for him (60 seconds chrono (The Rock) (1996), Volte-face (Face/Off) (1997), Gone in Sixty Seconds) (2000), Benjamin Gates and the Treasure of the Knights Templar (National Treasure) (2004), Lord of War (2005)) as much in this film he seems only present for mercantile reasons without really knowing how to give life to his character. Frank Grillo's presence also seems surprising because his last films were so successful and taking so much here, he is only here with a few appearances and seems totally absent.

In the same way the few special effects are missed and tend to make this film a Z production seeking only to hold the attention of the spectators by the presence of actors appreciated in action films often effective if not original. Originally conceived to become a trilogy, it is hoped that this will not be the case given the abysmal mediocrity of this film spoiled in part by its non-existent script and a direction so bad that it would become laughable.

Jiu Jitsu
Directed by Dimitri Logothetis
Produced by Martin Barab, Chris Economides
Screenplay by Dimitri Logothetis, James McGrath
Based on Jiu Jitsu, by Dimitri Logothetis, Jim McGrath
Starring Alain Moussi, Frank Grillo, JuJu Chan, Tony Jaa, Nicolas Cage
Music by Mocean Worker
Cinematography: Gerardo Madrazo
Edited by Danny McDonald
Production company: Highland Film Group, Coprod Media International Limited, Double Tree Entertainment Acme Rocket Fuel
Distributed by The Avenue Entertainment Paramount Pictures
Release date: November 20, 2020 (United States)
Running time: 102 minutes

Viewed November 17, 2020 in original version

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