seriousfic

So I just get back from seeing Fighting on Ebert's recommendation, and it really surprised me by being one of the better movie-going experiences I've had this year. Ebert can always back his opinion up, but his tastes can be pretty hit-or-miss... he gave Knowing a good review, you know. And yes, it's Bring It On with MMA instead of dancing and yes, Fighting is a horrible title (although Rocky wasn't that original either), but I legit left the theater with a smile on my face.

The thing about Fighting is that while it is the kind of formulaic underdog story Donald Kaufman would write, it's done very well. And let's be honest, no one cares about formula when it's Seth Rogen making a movie with his buds. The characters are people you like to spend time with, the bad guys are either fun to boo or entertaining to watch (the guy playing Jack chews just enough scenery to show he knows precisely how ridiculous his movie is), and the ending is well-earned. And they made great use of the setting, using the different boroughs of New York to show how the characters are arcing and evolving and not just showing you Vancouver or something.

I particularly liked Terence Howard in this, because he gave his street shark character a lot of warmth and dimension and a fun Zen kinda attitude. He disappointed me in Iron Man, where he didn't seem to have enough edge to eventually put on two tons of armor and call himself War Machine, but here he's excellent. Channing Tatum also brings a square-headed Midwestern charm to his part that makes me look forward to G.I. Joe. He's a bit old, but I think he'd make a great Kon-El if they ever made a Young Justice movie.

He'd have to dial up the arrogance and need a clever writer feeding him lines (*whistles innocently*... what? I'm sure Peter David could use the work), but he's got the heart of gold thing sealed. Hey, if you've gotta watch something in a tight black T-shirt and jeans for two hours... And Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Tim Drake (what, you mean he wasn't playing him in Brick?). Yeah, that'd be awesome...

Anyway, it's a fun movie, go see it on a matinee showing while you're waiting for Wolverine to come out, eat your popcorn, drink your Coke, have a good time. Fun movie.