Friday, January 31, 2025

The Martial Artist

It is easy to lose sight of the spiritual aspect of martial arts in a steel cage. Consequently, when an up-and-coming MMA fighter loses his way, he must reconnect with his heritage and the transcendent spirit of martial arts practice to regain his mojo. Of course, nobody wants to watch a long meditation session, but a few seconds can help round out a training montage. Regardless, Ibby “The Prince” Barkan’s path to MMA glory takes a detour through the mountains of Pakistan in Shaz Khan’s The Martial Artist, which opens today in theaters.

After years of training and many questionably sanctioned matches, Barkan finally signs with a major mixed martial arts promoter. However, he lets success go to his head, before he fully attains it. He starts drinking, partying, and making enemies. Soon, the violence of his needless grudges spills-over onto his family. Barkan’s resulting guilt, compounds his anger, leading to a self-destructive cycle.

To save Barkan from his demons, his mother sends him to Pakistan, to learn about his late father from the Dada, the grandfather he never met. Nestled in the rugged mountains, Dada’s retreat trains disciples to be warriors, both physically and spiritually. It is exactly the kind of discipline Barkan needs, but he must come to that realization for himself, before he can reap the benefits of Dada’s teachings.

Although Khan emphasizes the loftier ideas underpinning martials arts, as the director, co-screenwriter, and star, he often showcases the practice at its most brutal. Much of the action consists of gritty, no-holds-barred street-fighting. Barkan’s two MMA showcases are impressively staged, against strikingly cinematic backdrops, while still featuring absolutely ferocious fight choreography.

Indeed, the fight scenes are far and away the best aspect of
The Martial Artist. In contrast, the family melodrama is clunky and cliched. Frankly, some business with Barkan’s brother-trainer Ali will elicits groans from many viewers. Admittedly, Barkan’s quest for re-centering also travels a well-trod thematic path, but it is nicely executed and the Pakistani setting adds a distinctive vibe.

Khan looks the part and he has decent screen presence. He also gets some helpful support from Shamayale Khattak as Munir, Dada’s non-fighting disciple, who becomes like a second brother to Barkan. Plus, Philippe Prosper is suitably imposing and unyieldingly intense as Deacon “The Surgeon” Johnson, the MMA league grand champion, whom Barkan must eventually face.

As a first film,
The Martial Artist is not bad, at least by action genre standards. However, if you’re coming for the drama beyond the fighting, don’t bother. Nonetheless, the beatdowns look good, to a degree that should be good enough for fans. Recommended for those who will appreciate its low-budget fighting spirit, The Martial Arist opens today (1/31) in theaters.