The premise is unremarkable, but has potential. The dialogue is wretched and inauthentic in the first place, carries a lot of empty, tough-talking hot air, and like the scene writing is filled with tropes and contrivances that feel like Action-Thriller Movie-Making 101. There are some light touches of humor scattered throughout the length, though most such attempted levity is just flat and dull. Michael B. Schmidt's score doesn't make much of an impression, though some themes bear chords that catch one's ear in passing. Editing and camerawork is overzealous, cutting and moving too quickly to meaningfully sustain any given instance or allow it to resonate, and that includes action sequences as much as shots of the surrounding environment, or character moments. Filming on location in Thailand gives us plenty of beautiful scenery to enjoy, in addition to fine set design and decoration, but the most pristine nature is wasted on the film-making illustrated here.
'Death fighter' isn't abjectly terrible, but nor is it particularly good - and with so many other movies out there in the world to watch, there's not a lot of reason to spend time on this one.
Protagonist Michael is astoundingly ignorant, and dialogue and scene writing treats viewers like we are, too. (Watch for the moment Bobby Pau informs Michael, and audiences, that a dance incorporates martial arts.) Not one character in the screenplay is written as anything more than a thin archetype (or arguably stereotype). The fight choreography is pretty great throughout, though somewhat declines the finesse and resourcefulness we'd expect from any given martial arts flick in favor of more seemingly visceral, exaggerated sequences. 'Death fighter' sometimes feels less like a martial arts movie (or at least a film containing a fair share of such disciplines), and more like a coarse homage to one. And again, I must emphasize that overly excitable camerawork and editing distinctly and needlessly embellishes the action, and detracts from it.
This is also true of the acting. I won't pretend that anyone involved is a world-class actor, and Matt Mullins is almost certainly the weakest link among the ensemble, but there are occasional glimmers of heart and sincerity. Chiranan Manochaem, while apparently having no other film or TV credits to her name, nonetheless stands out as possibly the best actor present, demonstrating some nuance and range. Hers is only a supporting part, but it's a cheeky bit of fun to see Cynthia Rothrock in a rare antagonistic role, and she ably portrays Valerie's hard-nosed contempt. Yet all this is rendered pointless by a film-making approach that seemingly tries to employ brusque, rough construction to synthesize the thrills and drama that should manifest organically in an earnestly worthwhile picture.
There are good ideas here. For all the bluster, 'Death fighter' can claim a promising if familiar concept. If imperfect as they present, there's intelligence behind the fundamental orchestration of action scenes. Features of this tenor don't require award-winning acting to work, but I think the cast show they have some capability. Broadly unremarkable as it is in the grand scheme of things, I think there's plenty here to enjoy. However, Lawrence Riggins' screenplay is flawed and uneven, and Toby Russell's direction is questionable. What real value there is in this title is substantially weakened by common, conventional, and tawdry if not altogether tedious filler.
I want to like this more than I do. While at large it's nothing out of the ordinary, the fight scenes and stunts are done well enough that I want to hold the movie in higher esteem. But then I think once more of the deep, tired faults, and I can't bring myself to offer more praise. 'Death fighter' is a passable action flick, but a lot more care needed to go into the writing and direction before I could truly recommend it. Alas.
