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Starring
:
Olivier
Gruner
Ashley
Laurence
Ian
Ziering
Michael
Palance
Marc
Singer
Action
:
Koichi
Sakamoto
Olivier
Gruner
Producer
:
Alan
Mehrez
Director
:
Isaac
Florentine
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SAVATE
(1994)
Reviewed
by Tony Ryan
Before
'Once
Upon A Time in China & America' and 'Shanghai
Noon', there was another Martial Arts Western featuring
b-list star Olivier Gruner. He plays mysterious army
officer Charlegrand, seeking vengeance for the death of a
friend, who stumbles upon a small town whose townsfolk are
almost all under threat of violence and eviction. In the end,
he has to take part in a 'strongman' tournament to win
money to save their homes, and enact the retribution he has
been waiting for!
A
bizarre storyline, and a totally unrealistic one. Putting some
of the ridiculous coincidences apparent within the film to one
side, why is a Frenchman wandering through Southern America,
and why do all the participants in the tournament do a
different martial art including Chinese kung fu and Capoeira?
Usually, I do not question a storyline if I am treated to a
great action showcase, but here I became slightly bored with
proceedings leading me to pose such questions.
The
action is typically American. Gruner
displays a repertoire of 3 different kicks at a less than
blistering pace, while his opponents are even less impressive.
The only reason I began watching this movie was due to the
involvement of uber - choreographer Koichi Sakamoto,
for whom I have the greatest admiration. His work on
fight-fests such as 'Drive'
and 'Wicked
Game' gives me hope that 80's Hong Kong style action is
alive and well. Unfortunately, none of that flair, speed or
inventiveness is on display here, and it feels like every
other American MA film.
The
acting is above par for such a low budget production, and
supporting cast members such as the lovely Ashley Laurence ('Hellraiser')
and Michael Palance ('Full Metal Jacket') make it more
interesting. However, I was looking for Koichi-style fights
but 'Savate' did not come close to delivering.
Rating:
 
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