Martial arts movies are all about theatrical kicks, punches, and moves that sometimes define belief. They are also often about revenge. Such is the case with Blood and Bone starring Michael Jai White, a film about a man (White) that gets out of jail and fights his way through LA's underground fight scene for reasons we don't understand until later on. In fact, the mystery behind what drives Bone to do what he does is what, beyond the fighting scenes, helps this movie to stand out.
The Particulars
- Title: Blood and Bone
- Studio: Sony Pictures
- List Price: $24.96
- Format: DVD
- Release Date: September 15, 2009
- Notable Actors/Actresses: Michael Jai White, Eamonn Walker, Ron Yuan, Julian Sands, Gina Carano, Bob Sapp, and Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson.
Summary
When ex-con Isaiah Bone (Jai White) gets out of prison, he immediately seeks out a room to rent and gets involved in LA's underground fight scene. Along the way, he destroys the area's best fighter, who is under the control of a local mob boss named James (Eammon Walker). When Bone refuses the mob boss's request to fight on the international circuit, it sets off a powerful battle between the two, amidst some surprising revelations about what drove Bone to get involved with James in the first place.
The Best Parts
Michael Jai White does a great job of playing the mysterious stranger with lethal fighting skills. The martial arts action scenes are also entertaining. Blood and Bone offers up some twists that you probably won't see coming. This makes it somewhat unique for a martial arts action film, where everything is usually pretty formulaic.
Lots of entertaining karate and Japanese jujutsu style moves find their way in as well.
Least Favorite
Though The Hammer Man (Bob Sapp) only plays a background role, his character is a little too brutish and unintelligent, making him almost like a comic book character in the story. On one hand, the ending was good in that the final battle between James and Bone isn't as drawn out as some films make such things. On the other hand, the method with which they battle seemed somewhat out of place in the story.
The Final Word: Blood and Bone is an entertaining martial arts action film that keeps you interested all the way through. Michael Jai White is an actor worth remembering, and if you're an MMA fan you'll likely enjoy the brief appearances by Kimbo Slice, Maurice Smith, and Gina Carano. The surprises along the way regarding Bone's past really help to draw you in.
In the end, this movie is worth a watch.
