Rent Jiu Jitsu (2020)

Martial arts bore - Jiu Jitsu review by Alphaville

For a martial arts actioner, this is an incredibly dull and dour film, with zero plot, zero characterisation and loads of talkie close-ups. The action consists of little more than a bunch of fighters practising their moves on stuntmen who attack one at a time and fall in exaggerated poses. It was filmed in Cyprus but you wouldn’t know it as no attempt is made to utilise the island’s dramatic landscapes. Thai star Tony Jaa deserves better, while Nic Cage in a minor role probably doesn’t by now. Cage’s stuntman gets more air time than Cage himself, while even Jaa, sadly, is credited with two stunt men.

Most of the blame must go to director Dimitri Logothetis, who has no idea how to film a fight scene except by hurling a hand-held camera into the stagey action. A Predator-style alien turns up as the chief baddie, but he has no more moves than any of the other stuntmen. Never has so much martial arts action been so repetitive and boring. Don’t be fooled by the trailer. 2mins of this stuff might appeal, but 100 mins is 98mins too long.

There is bad and then there is this. - Jiu Jitsu review by MM

I love martial art films, even the bad ones. The guilty pleasure of the American Ninja films and the other 80's specials are not lost on me, but this one doesn't even get the 'so bad it's good' moniker.

I have no idea why they would call it Jui Jitsu. Think I spotted one wristlock/throw that might be classified this way. The actors I've seen in other films and have been at least watchable, even if acting is not their strong point, but the story ( Preditor rehash) and script are so poor that even the mighty Tony Jaa can't remove the stink from the room.

So numb I can't write anymore. It's just terrible.

Mortal WOMBAT - Jiu Jitsu review by AER

This is the land of capes and one-at-a-time fighting! Jiu Jitsu was made slightly more interesting than your average straight-to-video grade actioners by the presence of Nicolas Cage in a supporting role as perhaps movie land's dopiest wise old man - alas there's nothing to see here. Familiar faces like Rick Yune, Frank Grillo and the awesome Tony Jaa are utterly wasted in the Xena - Warrior Princess style mash up of Mortal Kombat and Predator. It's let down by sluggish fight scenes and a script that was written by software bought in a third-world country. It's a shame as films with this little set-up can get away with anything if the fights, the editing and the acting is up to scratch, in Jiu Jitsu, it's not even worth showing up for crazy Cage, all his 'good' bits are in the trailer - all 5 seconds worth.

I wish I could have a sense of humour about this one, but sadly it's a very dull action film. Although quite how the maker's made Tony Jaa look this bad is some kind of accomplishment.