My quick rating - 7.0/10. That was a gripping action flick produced by Jordan Peele and directed by Dev Patel, who also stars as the protagonist, Kid. Set in the gritty underbelly of an unnamed city in India, the film follows Kid, an anonymous young man who survives by participating in underground fight clubs where he dons a gorilla mask and takes brutal beatings from more popular fighters for cash. It dives deep into Kid's world, where years of suppressed rage and childhood trauma simmer beneath the surface. When Kid discovers a way to infiltrate the city's elite, his pent-up emotions explode, and his mysteriously scarred hands become instruments of revenge. One of the standout features that quickly caught my eye is its excellent choreography and intense fight scenes. Every punch, kick, and block feels visceral and authentic, pulling you into the heart-pounding action. The chase sequences are also well-executed, adding to the adrenaline rush of the film. What sets it apart is its well-crafted revenge story, told through skillfully integrated flashbacks. These flashbacks not only provide insight into Kid's character but also add layers of depth to the narrative, making the audience empathize with his journey of vengeance. The reasoning behind his quest for revenge may not have been entirely original but it still was told well enough to keep you invested. Certain plot points do feel predictable, and the film occasionally leans too heavily on familiar tropes. However, these flaws are overshadowed by its strengths many times over. I also found the music was well placed for the proper scenes which isn't always the case. The action scenes are some of the best hand-to-hand I have seen in quite a while, including a kitchen scene that was clearly inspired by the classic backroom brawl in The Raid 2: Berandal. I was very apprehensive when I first read about this one since expectations were going to be set so high but it is a solid action film with a well-thought-out revenge story, excellent fight choreography, and compelling performances, particularly from Dev Patel. The locations were fresh and the characters along the way were entertaining just adding to the overall presentation deserving of a look for any action movie fan.
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