Fist Fighter

release year: 1989
genre: action
viewing setting: home DVD 9/4/17 and home VHS, 2/7/11 and 2/5/99

synopsis: A bare-knuckles fistfighter heads down to Mexico to find the man who killed his friend, but has to overcome various obstacles and nasty people.

impressions: This was the movie I saw back in 1989 that caused me to start seeing movies in theaters again. It's a simple, good, solid story with plenty of action. One of the reasons I like it so much is that the main character has heart, and doesn't give up or back down no matter how bad things are looking. If you're able to find a review of this movie, it will probably be negative; I say they're wrong. This is just as good as Hard Times even though it doesn't have Charles Bronson.

something this movie has that no other movie has: The Beast, a gigantic ape-like guy covered in hair.

acting: George (Jorge) Rivero, Spanish bodybuilder-turned-actor, does a great job with the main role. Eddie Albert is also good as the former fighter who trains Rivero. Matthias Hues (who was also the hulking alien in I Come in Peace) is the evil bare-knuckles fighter here. Brenda Bakke is the crime lord's woman who changes sides.

final word: Good simple action movie.

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