The Art of Eight Weapons (2024) | Film Review

Available on Paramount+ (watch), The Art of the Eight Weapons marks the debut of Tiger Style Media, a production company dedicated to reviving martial arts cinema aimed at fans of direct action and choreographed combat. Directed by Robert Grasmere and starring Ludi Lin, the film tries to capture the spirit of films from the 90s and the classics that shaped the genre, especially Operation Dragonbut it does not always have the desired impact.

The plot follows Scott Schiff, played by Lin, a CIA analyst who trains kickboxing in his spare time and is tasked with infiltrating a clandestine tournament organized by a master criminal. The event acts as a front for arms negotiations, while bringing together fighters of various styles. The premise refers directly to the models that established Bruce Lee’s cinema, especially due to the tournament structure, the figure of the militarized villain and the protagonist’s displacement to a foreign territory.

Tiger Style Media makes its goal clear: to put the action at the center, with frequent fights and location shooting that avoids the closed-down look typical of low-budget productions. At this point, the film works. The landscapes of Myanmar are well explored and give the film an atmosphere that reinforces the classic appeal of the genre. The combat scenes also demonstrate a commitment to physicality, even though they use cables and visual tricks that do not always favor the impact of the choreography.

Ludi Lin delivers dedication in the fight sequences, but finds it more difficult when the focus is on the character’s drama. Schiff carries the weight of the legacy of a CIA agent father, an element that the script presents, but abandons as the tournament disputes take over the narrative. As the protagonist, Lin shows physical potential, but lacks the presence to sustain the film alone. The production seems to work better when there is a partnership with other characters.

In this sense, Grace Vorananth stands out as Mae, Schiff’s ally who takes on a significant part of the choreography and brings energy to the scenes in which she appears. The supporting cast also features experienced names, such as Ron Smoorenburg and Nicholas Hammond, who help to compose the universe of the plot, although they are not always given space proportional to what they could offer.

The biggest problem of The Art of the Eight Weapons It’s in the tournament structure. The fights are quick and little explored, which reduces the tension and progression of the disputes. The final confrontation, expected to be the climax of the film, ends before gaining intensity, leaving the feeling that the production could have gone further.

As Tiger Style Media’s first step, the film presents an ambitious project full of reverence for the classics. However, the uneven execution prevents the film from achieving the impact it intends. For those looking for constant action, there are moments that deliver what was promised, but the whole falls short of the potential of its talents and references.