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In the world of action cinema, there is only a few icons working today that command the respect and dedication to the craft that all of us fans deem a religion. Action star Scott Adkins is such an action icon having delivered years of bone busting films in the indie circuit as well as big, budgeted films. So, when you think of someone who is an expert on how to put quality action on screen, Adkins is your man.
The highly anticipated and controversial reimagining of Road House hit Amazon this last week and with it, the movie has had divisive reactions from fans and critics alike. While some deem it a solid redo, others (me included) had several issues with the movie with mine being that this version will not endear over the years like Swayze’s legendary turn as Dalton in the original. While Gyllenhaal delivered a rousing performance as a new breed of Dalton, turning the character from a philosophical warrior to a more damaged and awaiting powder keg of an anti-hero, the movie around him was just, well, meh.
Adkins is weighing in on the new movie via X (AKA Twitter) and while he praises director Doug Liman, Gyllenhaal and even MMA bad boy Conor McGregor, he took the opportunity to slam the flick for its use of CGI during the film’s fight scenes which was most noteworthy during the opening sequenve with Post Malone.
Adkins stated, “I really enjoyed Road House. Doug Liman – great job subverting genre & Gyllenhaal in amazing shape, respect! What a debut from @TheNotoriousMMA happy when a movie like this does well as it’s my bread & butter but c’mon, what’s with the CGI fight scenes?! Swayze didn’t need it.”
The best thing to take away from the quote is that Adkins mentioned how Swayze didn’t need any of that, which wasn’t even around at the time, for his many fight scenes in the movie. It’s true. No one back then needed any touch up when it came to the fisticuffs on screen and even today, how many films come out, indie or big budget, that showcases the skills of the warriors on screen. Adkins definitely does not need CGI or help as he is essentially a human special effect in his own right and there are countless other stars that get by just fine without help.
I can see limited use of CGI to enhance impacts and such, but this type of film is a genre that should never need special effects to enhance anything. Adkins, in a follow up Tweet, mentioned his interview with Vietnamese action star Johnny Trí Nguyễn, where the star talks about CGI used in fight scenes, in his film The Rebel for example, where he used it sparingly for creative effect. Check out the link to that interview here and check out Adkins’ follow up Tweet below!
I can see both arguments but at the end of the day, if the talent on hand is top tier, then there shouldn’t be any need for computers or special graphics to highlight anything. Just show the talent in front of the camera and everything will take care of itself. When all is said and done, I had more issues with the movie other than CGI so I was excited for it but it’s unfortunate that this is what we got. For my full video review of the new Road House on The Action Fix Podcast, click the video below!
This will surely be a hot topic now going into the future and it’s unfortunate that CGI is even budding into something so sacred as unarmed combat in action films but this is the day and age we live in so Lock n Load for more on this to follow.
