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Fantastic movie let down heavily by bad production choices

posted 9 years ago by joey-tribbiani
7 replies | jump to latest

There are so many good things that can be said about this film. The performances by the main characters is exceptional. The story as well is very good. Where it is let down is, on stylistic choices which is hugely disappointing.

The film is a boxing film that goes from one guy, losing everything to regain it for his daughter. So why did they have to go all gangster? Why choose Eminem for in the soundtrack? Why not professionalise it with a decent score and better moments than having a pimped up Boxing promoter?

It's like there was a sub-conscious drive in Fuqua to demolish this film after he watched too many Drake videos on MTV.

If he simply focused on strong editing, better pace during the dramas and maybe, just put McAdams in hospital because the lack of an ambulance and recovery in a modern day city as she is surrounded by people, is, weird.

Huge shame. Huge huge shame. Merely not allowing Eminem shouting in songs near the film would have given it an extra point in it's final score here.

[–] theresaannkeith-82216 9 years ago

Totally agree about the hospital, too. That was weird.

[–] joey-tribbiani 9 years ago

They chose the shot to be in a place that allowed her to speak for long enough and then nobody came. They were in a suburban area at a fund raising that had no first aiders available at all. Pressure to the wound? It wasn't a gun to the heart. People with lung shot wounds with collapsed lungs have survived hours after being shot.

Just terrible, terrible.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] spank-my-17 9 years ago

The movie was written for Eminem to star, so when he declined he stayed on as executive producer for the soundtrack. But yeah, I didn't love his songs and I'm a hip hop/Eminem fan. (not so much of his newer yelling style/flow)

[–] joey-tribbiani 9 years ago

I wouldn't have watched this with Eminem around. Jake was a good move but the music was a let down.

[–] vdipietro4 9 years ago

Although I'd argue this film is anything but remarkable, I will agree that the production choices you mentioned are going to make this mediocre film age into complete and utter garbage. In 30-40 years, I can imagine my grandchildren watching this and just completely laughing at it.

[–] mdidesidero 9 years ago

It's Fuqua. And sports. Of course he was gonna throw some black on it. Have you seen his movies ? He turned mild mannered Denzel into a hip street thug in Training Day.