Make sure you go and see 'The Fighter'

[bynino]

Went to see it last night. Wasn't too bad. The boxing sequences were a bit shabby. Bale was good as eklund. Don't think mark walberg can act at all. A totally wooden performance. Dodgy shea neary (scottish). But the story was good. But i thought they could have done more with it. Perhaps there is a sequel in the pipeline?

[winkveron]

I enjoyed it but thought it was too polished and Hollywood. Would've been better in my opinion if it was more gritty, a la The Wrestler.

'The Wrestler' was Aronofsky's film and the guy likes dark stories ;;-)
The fighter is brighter, and more optimistic as that's how the real story of Mickey Ward happened. It's about situation that had a potential to turn really bad (with all the family mess, drugs etc.) but didn't. I think the movie says that you can conquer obstacles if you're tough and have a big heart.
It's a real-life, good story. I liked it.

What I meant though is that even the low points in Ward's life were made to feel a bit comical. The film for me just didn't capture the frustration, anger, depression etc. that Ward must have felt. In my opinion it was just too light-hearted.

[bynino]

I agree. It should have been grittier, it was polished, it would have been good if it could have been filmed documentary style. Even the crack dens were clean and tidy

[MightyWarrior]

They ran out of money, and had to cut half of the proposed story out of the picture,

I don't think this is the case. It's said to be shot in just 33 days but with $25M behind it you wouldn't call it low budget project, would you? Also, with such cast and storyline I think it was obvious the movie would be a success so the reason for cutting the story short was probably to just make it more concise and better suited for cinema.
This is simply how screenplays are being made...

I read an interview with Wahlberg who said it was a longer version that he was trying to get made. He bounced it around for about 10 years, and it'd been through 5 or 6 producers and 2 or 3 directors, including Aronofsky ( a shame he didn't stick with it, as he'd have likely made a much better effort than the workmanlike effort we got. See the brilliant Black Swan for example ) The amount of cash they needed couldn't be raised, and they had to compromise on a cut down of the story - and believe it or not, 25 mill is considered a low budget movie.

[jameswilson]

I thought it was ok, Bale was outstanding, Wahlberg I thought was just ok. I liked him in 'The Departed' but thats the only film I'v seen him in that I'v thought 'yeah good performance.'

I think some are over-reacting tho as to how good it really is. Lets look into the story. It is just 'boxer overcomes difficulties, boxer wins.' Never seen that storyline before have we?

[MacTavish]

Thumbs up from me!

[bynino]

The difficulties seemed to be overcome so easily though. And i cant imagine it would have been that easy at the time. It was a good film though. But it was like watching the highlights. I would have liked it to have more drama, like when he was torn between letting his family down by not bringing his brother back. I mean that must have been a difficult decision. However it seems in the movie that micky ward was just a passenger. Im sure he had a lot more say in everything.

[TempleSlave]

I think some are over-reacting tho as to how good it really is. Lets look into the story. It is just 'boxer overcomes difficulties, boxer wins.'

Yup. Plus the fact the whole story is true, plus Mark Wahlberg perfectly cast for the role, plus Bale's performance is easily Oscar-worthy, plus boxing scenes are quite well shot.
I must say I'm completely satisfied both as boxing fan and cinema lover.

[chinny]

Took the missus last night. I'd give it 4/5 overall. A boxing fan should definitely see it, if only because 1/2 decent boxing films happen so rarely.

Liked:
- Some of the detail was great, but odd - such as the WBU logos, 'Shea Neary' looking and fighting like a dead ringer for him (only Irish!)
- the pixelisation (or something) of boxing scenes distinguished them as more 'real' (or something)
- Sugar Ray!
- some of the comedy elements worked very well and didn't become too much (the sisters behaviour, the 'abused' father in law)
- well shot and somewhat gritty (disagree with others here)
- great soundtrack

Disliked:
- Drug documentary showing in prison seemed way too contrived
- Wards relationship with this kid and their family was two dimensional, never really explored and therefore pointless

[Boxingmad]

Saw it last night and enjoyed it. Christian Bale basically steals the film, and Wahlberg's performance is OK. It's an enjoyable film although it centres a bit more on Ward's relationship with his brother Dickie Ecklund than it does on Ward's career. Non-boxing fans will like it too I think.

The documentary they made on Ecklund:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8px0ZemSR6U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSqFtySQ ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s9vsUxe ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dfI8Jda ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmC4BpX4 ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYUb3b0h ... re=related

[jtourettes]

Saw it last week. Good boxing movie, Bale was great for once and the film wasn't too cheesey. As an added bonus the missus enjoyed it as well.

No idea why they made the Neary fight look like a one sided beatdown though.

[mkirkhope]

Thought it was ok. 3 out of 5. Wasn't as good as all the hype suggested it would be. Bale excellent as almost everyone has said.

[oliverfennell]

I thought it was very good, as everyone has said Bale was excellent. The only thing that I found weird was the fight with Neary, do they really have to insult people's intelligence by having the crowd wear union jack t-shirts to remind them it's in the UK?

Considering the main market is Americans, yes they do!

[IRLangmaid25]

I went to see it last week at the local Cineworld for £3 (as I get parking claimed back at Cardinal Park otherwise it is £6.60) on a weekday after reading about in The Ring, and then seeing a trailer for it when I went to see the Kings Speech, and when I saw the trailer that definitely made my mind to go and see. It was a little bit slow at the beginning but I absolutely loved it and I too feel that Christian Bale stole the show with his performance as Dickie Eckland and I really need to see that documentary

[lurkyshaka]

I enjoyed it, thought it was a good solid film that will appeal to both boxing fans and non-boxing fans.

Couple things that irritated me a bit.....that they made out Ward/Neary was for the WBU welter championship, when it was actually for the jnr-welter title, bu i'm guessing that was just down to welterweight being seen as more glamourous.

And the stereotypical American view of Britain was there yet again, with some guy announcing the weights looking like an extra out of Oliver Twist! Do American's really think Britain is like this?? It does p*ss me off a bit that they're so blinkered to the reality of this Isle.

And didn't really like the way they made Neary out to be a disrespectful arsehole. I understand they have to 'Hollywood' it a bit, but seemed harsh on Shea who was always a nice fella. Don't think he deserved to be portrayed in that light.

So few gripes, but overall it was an entertaining film with some good performances.

[stujones]

I saw it last night, enjoyed the movie - but as an anorak Mickey being dubbed a 147 fighter throughout did kind of annoy me. There were plenty of other inaccuracies that I could see to glamourise it a tadge, Mungin being a "Super Middleweight, the fact that he got his shot at a proper world title before Neary and lost, and of course the glamouring of the WBU belt.... could see why they did all those, but not sure why they needed to say Mickey was a Welterweight.

I did think it was geared for a sequel with the mentions of Gatti by Neary and the commentary team - seeming to hype him as the acid test etc. But then they mentioned the Gatti fight did take place in closing etc and I'm not really sure and as the Movie is centred around Dick Ecklund more, who has (I think) straightend himself out - then not sure its there can be a strong enough story for the tale end of Ward's career.

Mind you, they mentioned that Pat Garrett killed Billy the Kid at the end of Young Guns, but they still got a sequel (albeit with a bit of a rediculous plot).

I would give it a solid 8/10. If Rocky was too hollywood and the Raging Bull too dark - then this might be the film for you. Its a good bridge between the two movies.

[mahatma]

i thought it was a good film but ekland definitely pushed sugar ray leonard in their fight if you watch it on you tube, it wasnt a punch that felled leonard

[hurlock]

i thought it was a good film but ekland definitely pushed sugar ray leonard in their fight if you watch it on you tube, it wasnt a punch that felled leonard

oh come on just give it to him :!: still an achievment to cause the g.o.a.t a problem :!:

ive heard arnie has been displaying his old belt since it's new found publicity the flash bar steward :!: D

[lefthook82]

Just saw it yesterday. Riverside Studios in Hammersmith had a cracking double bill of Raging Bull/The Fighter. Having never seen Raging Bull before I was well happy

The Fighter was a lot of fun. Lots of inaccuracies. Now I know how comic book fans feel. However, if it gets more people into boxing then it is all good from me

8/10

[jameswilson]

I think some are over-reacting tho as to how good it really is. Lets look into the story. It is just 'boxer overcomes difficulties, boxer wins.'

Yup. Plus the fact the whole story is true, plus Mark Wahlberg perfectly cast for the role, plus Bale's performance is easily Oscar-worthy, plus boxing scenes are quite well shot.
I must say I'm completely satisfied both as boxing fan and cinema lover.

Wahlberg wasn't perfectly cast at all was he? Wahlberg wouldn't look out of place in a male model magazine, whereas Michey Ward looks like he's fallen out the ugly tree, climbed back up it and fallen back down again head first. I didn't think Wahlberg made any attempt to sound like Michey Ward either so he isn't going in my book as a good character actor. Watch someone like Martin Sheen play his variety of characters if you want an example of a good character actor.

[TempleSlave]

I think some are over-reacting tho as to how good it really is. Lets look into the story. It is just 'boxer overcomes difficulties, boxer wins.'

Yup. Plus the fact the whole story is true, plus Mark Wahlberg perfectly cast for the role, plus Bale's performance is easily Oscar-worthy, plus boxing scenes are quite well shot.
I must say I'm completely satisfied both as boxing fan and cinema lover.

Wahlberg wasn't perfectly cast at all was he? Wahlberg wouldn't look out of place in a male model magazine, whereas Michey Ward looks like he's fallen out the ugly tree, climbed back up it and fallen back down again head first. I didn't think Wahlberg made any attempt to sound like Michey Ward either so he isn't going in my book as a good character actor. Watch someone like Martin Sheen play his variety of characters if you want an example of a good character actor.

Jeez man...
For me it's just the case of simple guy playing simple guy.
Would you rather have de Niro play Mickey ?

[jameswilson]

Yup. Plus the fact the whole story is true, plus Mark Wahlberg perfectly cast for the role, plus Bale's performance is easily Oscar-worthy, plus boxing scenes are quite well shot.
I must say I'm completely satisfied both as boxing fan and cinema lover.

Wahlberg wasn't perfectly cast at all was he? Wahlberg wouldn't look out of place in a male model magazine, whereas Michey Ward looks like he's fallen out the ugly tree, climbed back up it and fallen back down again head first. I didn't think Wahlberg made any attempt to sound like Michey Ward either so he isn't going in my book as a good character actor. Watch someone like Martin Sheen play his variety of characters if you want an example of a good character actor.

Jeez man...
For me it's just the case of simple guy playing simple guy.
Would you rather have de Niro play Mickey ?

No.But someone who attempts to sound like Mickey Ward would have been nice tho. Christian Bale's American accent isn't great in a films like American psycho and the Batman films but he pulls Dick Ecklund off well in this, indicating he probably went away, looked at some footage of Ecklund speaking and tried to impersonate him. I didn't get the impression Wahlberg did this at all with Mickey Ward.