Arena Wars

I have to say that I harbored absolutely zero expectations to the 2024 movie "Arena Wars" given a cast ensemble with the likes of Michael Madsen, Eric Roberts and Robert LaSardo as the most prominent names and performers. Yet, I still opted to watch the movie on account of it being a movie that I had never seen, nor actually ever heard about.

The concept of "Arena Wars" was simplistic, so very, very simplistic. It was essentially just watching inmates serving life sentences going up against armed gladiators on TV for entertaining the masses and for a chance to achieve freedom. That was basically everything the movie was offering. Writers Brandon Slagle, Michael Mahal and Sonny Mahal didn't exactly put together an outstanding or memorable script or storyline.

The acting performances in the movie were fair, though I can't claim to be a fan of neither Michael Madsen or Eric Roberts, both of which look like they have been replaced by replicas from Wish with zero on screen energy.

I will say that there was actually enough senseless violence and action in the movie to keep it relatively afloat, at least to a level where it was a watchable enough movie.

While "Arena Wars" was a semi-watchable movie, it is hardly one that warrants more than just a single viewing.

My rating of director Brandon Slagle's 2024 movie "Arena Wars" lands on a four out of ten stars.

I watch a lot of B grade movies and I never write reviews but this was something else.

It's not even fun bad, it's just bad.

Don't waste your time. This entire thing was filmed in one room. Sure the sets change but it's all small sets. The acting is shockingly bad. There isn't even one character you want to get behind.

The main guy tries to be a generic marine but is hard to believe.

The audience watching the arena wars always have the same clothes even though there are days apart at times.

Almost every shot is close ups so they don't have to reveal the lack of sets and how small they are.

Please don't watch it whatever you do.

The most annoying thing about this is the audio, a lot of chat is sounded out by the music or the cheering crowd. Even when the background noise is softened the talking audio is still low so be prepared to put on the subtitles.

The whipping sound effects when a kick or punch is thrown are so over exaggerated that I think the sound department must have been hired right out of cartoon productions.

Even seasoned actors can't add any clout, if anything it shows their own weaknesses as actors.

Madsen in particular, who has been in some blockbuster movies absolutely stunk throughout this movie.

It's as bad as a bad 80s b movie.

Anyone giving this a 3+ is obviously a bot/paid/trolling this is not a movie, its so bad its like a classroom skit the entire set is literally the size of your living room if that the only redeeming quality is that they hired a semi-good looking protagonist, but just because he looks fit, he still sucks at acting.

Script - 1 pacing - 1 concept - 2 whoever wrote the dialogue - 0 i can't even follow the story uh whoever balanced out the audio - -10, dude, you CAN'T HEAR the people speaking... 100% sure that the movie is directed by some college kids this is so bad, please just save your 90 minutes of your life..

Sorry to tell the honest truth about this movie but it is wholeheartedly horrible. There are no redeeming qualities in this movie. It looks extremely low budget and the special effects are noticeably awful. The acting is compromised of very weak and uninspired even with some notable acting veterans. None of which are remotely likeable characters. First off consider this movie is pretty much straight to video, it is still not worth a rental.

As the title suggests, the prior 4 reviews are false and don't represent the film in any way. I mean what is this "A fun take on a rather overused style". People need to stop with his reviews. He is nothing but a studio shill whom never really knows what he's saying + he types like a robot.

Bottom line. Skip this movie. The best thing about it is probably the cover poster.