Iffy for 16+
Violent but blah martial arts tribute from rapper RZA.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Man with the Iron Fists is a martial arts action film from rapper RZA, of the Wu-Tang Clan, a lifetime fan of this genre who makes his directorial debut here. Violence is strong, albeit with a somewhat cartoonish feel, with several scenes of fighting, spurting blood, slicing and dicing, severed limbs and heads, and other intense moments. The action takes place largely in a brothel, and although sexual suggestion is fairly strong, there's no actual nudity. In one scene, a main character appears to have been giving oral sex to a woman in a bathtub (he emerges from under the water). Language includes a handful of uses of "f--k," "s--t," and the "N" word. Several characters drink and smoke, and opium is used by one major character. Fans of Quentin Tarantino -- who's a "presenter" -- are likely to be eager to see it.
- Families can talk about The Man with the Iron Fists' violence. How does its over-the-top style affect its impact? What were the consequences of the violence?
- Why do you think the Jack Knife character drinks so much? Are the consequences realistic?
- Which of these characters appeared to be trained martial artists? Were any of them role models?
- Director RZA is a lifelong fan of martial arts movies who finally made one of his own. What kinds of movies would you make if you had the chance? How would you use your knowledge as a fan to make them?
The good stuff
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Messages: Most of the movie is about revenge: A good son is on the trail of a bad soldier who killed his father. A man who has been hiding from his violent past finds himself redeemed ... by more violence. No one learns much of anything.
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Role models: Aside from the skilled martial artists in the cast, who might inspire teen viewers to look into classes, most of the characters here behave poorly, and no one changes or grows over the course of the movie.
What to watch for
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Violence: Over-the-top martial arts violence, with much slicing and dicing and huge geysers of blood spurting from necks and limbs. In one intense scene, a man's wounds are cauterized with red-hot metal. A man attacks and kills a woman in one scene. Several severed heads, two severed arms, and a flying eyeball. A man is slashed down the length of his chest. Several characters are killed by poison darts. A character is briefly tortured. Several minor/supporting characters die.
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Sex: Although the movie -- which takes place largely in a brothel -- doesn't have any nudity, there are several strong suggestions of sexual activity. One of the main characters has three to four prostitutes in his room at various times, with the suggestion that he's slept with them all. In one scene, he appears to have been orally pleasuring a woman in the bathtub, with his head underwater. He briefly caresses a woman's privates under her negligee. Viewers also see several minor characters having sex with various prostitutes (all clothed or covered up). Also other, minor examples of sexual suggestion and/or innuendo.
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Language: Language is sporadic but features three or four uses of "f--k" and "s--t," as well as a half-dozen uses of the "N" word. Other words include "ass," "hell," and "bitch."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: One of the main characters constantly sips from a flask and is seen drunk on at least one occasion. He also enjoys opium and gives booze to another character for a painkiller. Various other characters are seen smoking and/or drinking in a brothel.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Classic Kung Fu by MedRed
I remember in the early 90's when the RZA talked about his passion for classic Kung Fu movies. He's finally had a chance to make one of his own... and it's faithful to its predecessors.
What does that mean? The plot is predictable, the characters are simple, the acting is bad, the comedy is corny, and the action is outlandish. Do not go expecting a new age martial arts master piece. This movie is no Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. What it is is old fashioned fun.
Even though this movie is presented by Tarantino, it is not a true Tarantino movie. He neither directed or produced it. If you like the Kung Fu movies of days gone by, this flick is for you. If not, this may end up being a so-so movie for you.
4
Saturday Kung Fu by TwinsNoles
This was great! It reminded me of the Saturday Kung fu flicks I watched as a kid. Not a lot of plot but lots of action. The story is decent. But I didn't go for the story. I went for excellent stress release after work Friday. Just what the doctor ordered!
Not for kids .....some sex
Acting ....just like Saturday morning.
3
confused.... by mattbush12
It's good if you are into kung fu movies, but this is a very confused movie. It can't decide what it wants to be and honestly RZA's performance made it all the worse. Replace RZA with a chinese actor and make the story ACTUALLY about the man with the iron fists, and it would have been better. Gore and action scenes were good though. Russell Crowe was awesome!
4
The RZA knows his Shiznit by Karga
Rotten Tomatoes only gave this movie a 53 which is sad, because it's clear that the Rza loves kung fu movies. Iron Fists is as good if not better than all the old timey chop socky movies the Shaw Brothers made. I half expected to see the SB logo at the beginning. It's 100% evocative of those films. Gordon Liu even shows up in a cameo.
Movie snobs might have issues with the Rza/Wu Tang music in the film, modern day obscenities, and the actual Iron fists are clearly made of latex with some cgi enhancement--but the fighting is amazing and the acting is great. Like any Street Fighter game there are lots of amazing characters with signature weapons and great kung fu skills. If you've seen Kung Faux on TV and liked it, you will love the Man with the Iron Fists.
3
Not the best Martial Arts flic, but definitely not the Worst.. by SansMerci3
RZA did a lovely job for his obviously first foray into film-making. Russell Crowe and Lucy Liu sure seemed like they were having a great time with their parts, and that's always nice to see. The violence was in the spirit of a Frank Miller graphic novel or a Quentin Tarantino exploitation flick - very gory and enjoyable - you'll laugh out loud! Probably wouldn't see again, but it was great for a popcorn flick.
4
Just what I expected by ageiger4
If you love the corny kung-fu movies, then this movie is perfect. I loved absolutely every second of it. If you're looking for a great plot and story, it may not be the best thing for you, as it gets straight into the bad*** fighting. If you're cool with your kids watching blood fly everywhere and can deal with them hearing curse words, it isn't too bad. It had Tarantino-esque filming and action and was everything I was looking for in the movie. RZA did an amazing job and I will look forward to seeing more movies directed by him. All the actors did incredible and I can't wait to see it again when it comes out on DVD.
2
The music was vulgar and unnecessary and so where the sex scenes by cadams012
All of the sex could have been left out of the movie, just left the fight parts in and I think it would have been a better movie.
4
Confucius say person who watch this movie is one smart cookie. by bcjmunroe
Watching this movie brought me back to the '80s when I watched Kung Fu Theatre on USA. This movie was no block buster but it was a retro homage to those movies that entertained so many. If you enjoy being entertained by classic martial arts films with all of the impossibilities and mysticism that the old world fighting styles bring than this is definitely the movie for you.
3
The Man with the Iron Fists by Mbrownbeauty
My children loved the fight scenes. I did not care for the graphic lyrics in the soundtrack. I always love a move where the good guys win in the end. Brought back 70's karate movie themes and fight scenes. The BROTHER brought it with his iron fists ! We could have waited for it to come on Netflix.
4
Iron Fists is not for everyone... by Bruce_The_Almighty
If you are a fan of this kind of movie it is good.. you have to like the genre of film.. lots of violence and blood and guts.. typica of this kind of film.. but it had a good story line and the actors where good...