Redbelt (2008) is far from being a fast paced movie – it’s more like a TV action-drama episode, but due to a decent standard of acting, a decent script, and decent cinematography, the movie is still OK for action movie fans who have an interest in martial arts. Redbelt tells the story of a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teacher played by Chiwetel Ejiofor (the black guy from Doctor Strange) who goes through financial ups & downs but eventually gets given a rare great honour. It’s a well-poised emotive ending that felt like it wasn’t quite finished but also felt like we can’t complain if it ended where it did – like eating a good meal and not being full but still being satisfied. Those who know nothing about jiu jitsu and can’t stand slow drama movies might not like this one, but it appeals quite well to martial arts enthusiasts, especially those who have experienced the financial difficulties of running a club – it’s really not a profitable business unless you rip people off and/or have built up a massive reputation somehow, so for those of us who have been there and done it, we can relate very well to the this movie.
The move at the end seems to be taking example from Bruce Lee’s backflip kick, in how the hero of this movie does a running backflip up a wall to get behind the person choking him when he seems to have no move available – quite similar to how Bruce Lee did a backflip kick when someone caught his kicking leg in Enter The Dragon – a move that was copied twice by No Retreat No Surrender to form an integral part of that classic movie too.
Martial Arts wise, it’s not entirely spot on. But that backflip isn’t a million miles from what someone can do in a situation like that – Bas Rutten teaches the initial jump to gain momentum but it’s followed by a drop, not a backflip. But the backflip makes a more glamourous ending even if it’s quite unrealistic. And earlier in the movie there was a lesson along the lines on you can only strike from standard boxing range, and not from bearhug range, but that’s totally untrue – headbutts and foot stomps and nut grabs and all sorts can still take place at that the tightest range, then shoulder barges and elbows a bit further – you don’t have to be so far as standard punching range to strike. So I guess the martial arts director and his crew were all Jiu Jitsu guys who knew nothing about striking. Although MMA legend Randy Couture played a minor role – it’s a wonder he never piped up and corrected them about that scene – maybe he didn’t want to throw a spanner in the works and cause them to need to rewrite the script so just let it fly in the hope that most of the casual audience won’t know their backside from their elbow.