3/20/24 - One Percenter (One Percent Warrior) - 5+/10

The story of a legit fighter making a cult action hit only to recede into the shadows, looking for that success on film one more time - this is story of One Percenter as well as the tale of its protagonist Tak Sakaguchi in reality. This meta narrative, especially involving an action genre star caught in the midst of legit criminal threat trying to utilize his martial skills to save the day, is also very recognizable but done much better with JCVD. Where that film thrives (breaking the 4th wall and delivering a moving acting performance) is where OP struggles as Sakaguchi labors to emote or connect with the viewer. His strength is his fist and they perform as microphones for his skillset admirably, but without much of a story or anyone to play off of, his action stunt pieces blink as energetic beacons in the darkness of this film’s totality.

Is it a fun flick with lots of martial arts action? Hell yes, with some inventive action moments (the flashlight scene was quite cool) and plenty of pretty good looking fighting. It does often utilize repetitive moves and moments, especially in the multitude of knife fights and the final boss nigh-slap fight, but it is performed so smoothly that it comes around to great again. The jeet kune do movements kick ass, but that only carried me so far. There is the possibility of an interesting anime final boss and cartoon villain leader, which the over-the-topness is explained in the final ‘twist’, but it’s hard not to lose some faith in the final scenes. Ends up being a little dumb.

It is unfortunate to hear the accusations against Sakaguchi, but if true F him and to hell with his work. I was never the biggest fan of Versus and as “pure” as this violent video is, it can’t overcome its reality or its lack of realness.