The Movie 'Fighting' *Review*

Fighting is a rough-hewn heroic tale about realizing dreams of glory, putting audiences ringside at high-stakes underground street fights. Tatum stars as Sean Arthur, a young man who scrapes up a living hustling counterfeit merchandise in NYC. With family tragedy in his past and his father keeping him at a distance, this outsider has little to motivate him. A chance encounter with veteran street-fighting coach Harvey Boarden (Howard) leads to a whole new career for Sean. The ensuing bouts get tough, especially with the criminal element horning in, so Sean gets tougher. He will fight to win, not only the prize money but also the unexpected new relationships that are strengthening him.

Fighting is a poor excuse of a action movie, the acting is sorry and no matter how hard that you try to get into the movie the horribly written story line will leave you hangingt. This dry and dull drama offers little in the way of excitement or interesting moments. Tatum, fight scenes where pathetic, I kept wondering who would pay this guy $5,000 dollars to fight? I know that he's was capable of a strong performances, but he just mumbled his was through the role.and It was clear that his tough guy demeanor and pretty face was not enough to save this movie. Terrence Howard fairs better, but his mild-mattered sleaze ball character with his strange gay accent is so uninteresting you won't really care. At least Zulay Henao (who plays Zulay Valez in the movie)Is a bright point in the movie.

There's not much more to say, other than that those expecting a bunch of fight sequences will be massively disappointed. There are a few fight scenes, but the realistic approach director and co-writer Dito Montiel takes results in rather uninspiring battles, as Tatum and his opponent throw a few punches, roll around on the floor and try to put each other in choke holds a la MMA-style fighting. None of the scenes are very climactic, including the final fight scene, and so what we're left with is yet another story where some poor sap finally finds his calling with some illegal criminal hobby. We've all seen this story done a dozen times before and to better results.

Fighting is truly boring and poorly done. A lack of plot or strong performances ensure that this one will skip right over the bargain bin and into the trash.I give this one a one (*) star.

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