The Smashing Machine – Budget of $50 million – 2 hours and 3 minutes
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Michael Kerr stands in front of a fighting audience for the first time in Brazil. To everyone’s surprise, he wins his first match in a gauntlet-style face-off against a slew of professional fighters. He calmly accepts his prize with humility and grace. He returns home to his girlfriend, Dawn, but can’t ignore his nagging pains. For years, he visits his doctor, Roger, who slowly amps up his medication. Roger allows Michael to take his drugs intravenously.
Two years later, Michael battles in the Pride 7 Championship in Japan with his friend, Michael Coleman, and trainer, Bas, in his corner. The officials initiated new rules. Fighters can’t bite, head butt, eye gouge, or knee someone in the head while in the fetal position. Before his fight, Dawn enters the warm-up room. She looks Michael in the eye and can see he’s off. She carefully confronts him but doesn’t warn his corner. Michael battles Igor Vovchanchyn, and Igor knees Michael in the head. But the referee doesn’t call the foul. Instead, he hands Michael his first loss. Later, the officials change the referee’s decision to a no-contest ruling. While this fixes the history books, it breaks Michael. He spirals out of control personally and professionally. He will lose it all to gain himself.
Based on the documentary “The Smashing Machine,” this film adopts a documentary-style approach, featuring shaky cameras, confessionals, and in-ring grit (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). That perspective switches when Michael and Dawn are alone. The writers help the audience see this imposing figure as a gentle giant. Michael admires sunsets, speaks softly, and loves connecting with fans. The choreographers held nothing back with the fight scenes. They will make you flinch and cover your eyes. These men were pioneers of their sport who had to validate it daily. They weren’t just bloodthirsty grapplers, but athletes with their lives on the line. They created the way for others to become household names, earn respect, and demand the money they deserved. The lead made a stunning transformation to become Michael Kerr and proved his acting abilities. It’s worth seeing in theaters, but you won’t want to buy it on DVD.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
It is what it is, until it isn’t – Michael Kerr
Are you high? – Dawn
Now, I know why you’re always sweating – Bas
He should be fine – Michael Coleman
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Categories: Bas Rutten, Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, In The Theater, movie, Oleksandr Usyk, review, Ryan Bader, The Smashing Machine
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