- Title: Lady Bloodfight
- IMDb: link
Throwback Tuesday takes us back to to 2016 and an all-female martial arts tournament called the Kumite. The script by Bey Logan and Judd Bloch is more confusing than it needs to be with unnecessary subplots getting the way of what should be a straightforward fight film. The movie opens with two competitors fighting to a draw in the tournament, and each given the opportunity to train a fighter for the next Kumite. Each take their sweet time, finding a suitable student at the last minute.
The tranquil Shu (Muriel Hofmann) chooses the unlikely American Jane (Amy Johnston) whose sudden trip to Japan is more about learning about father’s participation years ago (when it wasn’t an all-female tournament?) than running away from the brutal beating she gives would-be gang rapists offering a particularly vulgar Southern hospitality half a world away. The vengeful Wai (Kathy Wu) chooses street thief Ling (Jenny Wu) with a mean streak that matches her own (in yet another twisty subplot). Despite the talented field, and the tampering of an unscrupulous gambler, there’s never a doubt who will settle the feud in the tournament’s final match.
Lady Bloodfight is best when it focuses on its increasingly brutal action, although it also has more humor than expected. The rest of the field is made up of one-note characters whose number include Mayling Ng and Jet Tranter chosen more for their athleticism and stunt work than acting chops. With a far more modest budget than a Mortal Kombat or Tekken film, the Kumite is more grounded in its fighting styles and stakes (although that doesn’t prevent the movie from injecting some mysticism when the script calls for it). Director Chris Nahon certainly plays to a specific audience highlighting both the women’s fighting prowess in the ring and on the street while not above also providing voyeuristic PG-13 style locker room sequences.
Even during its best fight sequences, the film can’t escape the film’s plot which continually drags it down. Still, it will provide it’s share of entertainment along the way and is no worse than any number of similar male-led films. Johnston kicks some ass, and she looks good doing it. Lady Bloodfight is a B-movie in every way, but at least it seems aware of the fact and doesn’t overstay it’s welcome clocking in at just 100 minutes. The movie is currently available for free on several steaming services, and, if you can get away without paying for it, you will probably feel less robbed for what you paid.
