Rating: NR
Genres:
Film
TV & Radio
Release Date: 04/16/2002
SubTitles: English/Espanol/French
Dubbed: English
Sound: DD5.1/DDS
Run Time: 54 min
Distributor/Studio: Universal Studios
Ultimate Fights collects climactic fight scenes from 16 movies from the 1980s to the 2000s. The clips are shown in their entireties, one after the other, making for an exceedingly violent montage of well-produced fight sequences. The DVD permits the viewer to watch the same sequences with several variations of supplemental material, which alter the perception of the scenes by adding context, descriptions, behind-the-scenes material, and relevant factoids.
~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
The fight sequence in
Guy Ritchie's
Snatch was just one of many memorable scenes in the film. But few people came away talking about it later, no doubt because the rest of the movie swamped the impression of the boxing match. Looking at it again, removed from the rest of the movie, you realize that this fight has more inventive photography and editing going into it than the whole of most other films. And so it is for
Gladiator,
Blade,
Scarface,
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and the other fight sequences captured here. Watching them all back to back is entertaining -- if a little sick -- on its own, but it's best to take advantage of the supplements. The best way to watch the disc is to choose to listen to Hong Kong
action director
Tsui Hark's thoughtful commentary (did you realize the gunfight in
Scarface is the manifestation of masculine rage?) and opt for the FlixFacts pop-up banner at the bottom of the screen. Don't want the info? Choose the "Ultimate Rumble Party Mix" to see the fights scored to 16 original
techno tunes. "Fight Cards" gives a count as to which combatant landed the most blows (and with what weapon); "Name That Frame" is a 100-stills test to check your trivia knowledge; "Fighter Profiles" gives bios and filmographies on the fighters, even the lesser-known opponents. In a terrific segment, fight master
James Lew -- who also has a commentary track -- walks two stuntmen through a fight routine to show how punches and kicks are achieved onscreen.
~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
;)
