DOA: Dead or Alive
Directed by Corey Yuen
Starring Devon Aoki, Sarah Carter, Natasha Malthe, Eric Roberts, Kevin Nash, and Jamie Pressly
Well, if you had to make a “Dead or Alive” movie (which you don’t) then this is how you would do it.
Back in the 90s, the cable channel called “Cinemax” had the market cornered on films like “DOA.” They always showed up late night, channel surfing after secretly watching the clown orgies of “Real Sex 50.” They were characterized by the fact that they spooned themselves in-between the action and crime genre. They usually featured a model/actress, probably starred Eric Roberts, and we’re obviously shot for cheap.
My pre-teen brain knew this material was not suitable for children, but as long as I could hear my mother’s snores in the next room I knew I was safe.
Dimension Home Video has been following the “Skinemax” business model for years and DOA is a prime example. The plot firmly belongs in that classification of classless classics. Strangers from across the globe come together to wire-work it out in the Dead or Alive fighting tournament. The game is funded by, yes, Eric Roberts. His very presence indicates that he’ll end up the bad guy. Guess what? He is. (Though I gotta to mention that, for all the trouble he went through to execute his villainous plan, he could’ve just learned martial arts himself).
The fighters are mostly comprised of women. You’ve got Devon Aoki (laughably called the “Shinobi Princess”), Sarah Carter, Natasha Malthe, Jamie Pressly, (sporting an accent just as deliciously southern fried as her), and…HOLY $#!+! it’s Diesel!
Everyone of the performers are appropriately playful and have rigorously trained (If you don’t believe me, look at Pressly’s upper back) but I beg to argue that the real star is director Corey Yuen. Yuen, no stranger to productions centered on martial arts, has made several wise decisions that make this film instead of giving it a neck-breaker.
Directed by Corey Yuen
Starring Devon Aoki, Sarah Carter, Natasha Malthe, Eric Roberts, Kevin Nash, and Jamie Pressly
Well, if you had to make a “Dead or Alive” movie (which you don’t) then this is how you would do it.
Back in the 90s, the cable channel called “Cinemax” had the market cornered on films like “DOA.” They always showed up late night, channel surfing after secretly watching the clown orgies of “Real Sex 50.” They were characterized by the fact that they spooned themselves in-between the action and crime genre. They usually featured a model/actress, probably starred Eric Roberts, and we’re obviously shot for cheap.
My pre-teen brain knew this material was not suitable for children, but as long as I could hear my mother’s snores in the next room I knew I was safe.
Dimension Home Video has been following the “Skinemax” business model for years and DOA is a prime example. The plot firmly belongs in that classification of classless classics. Strangers from across the globe come together to wire-work it out in the Dead or Alive fighting tournament. The game is funded by, yes, Eric Roberts. His very presence indicates that he’ll end up the bad guy. Guess what? He is. (Though I gotta to mention that, for all the trouble he went through to execute his villainous plan, he could’ve just learned martial arts himself).
The fighters are mostly comprised of women. You’ve got Devon Aoki (laughably called the “Shinobi Princess”), Sarah Carter, Natasha Malthe, Jamie Pressly, (sporting an accent just as deliciously southern fried as her), and…HOLY $#!+! it’s Diesel!
Everyone of the performers are appropriately playful and have rigorously trained (If you don’t believe me, look at Pressly’s upper back) but I beg to argue that the real star is director Corey Yuen. Yuen, no stranger to productions centered on martial arts, has made several wise decisions that make this film instead of giving it a neck-breaker.
First, he never allows the film to gravitate towards soft porn. An easy choice seeing how Dead or Alive (the video game), is known largely for it’s bouncing breast mode, above all else.
Second, He let’s the female fighters shine over the men. They’re tough and beautiful. Deal with it.
Third, he is highly adept at filming wire-stunts. A traditional martial arts films with this kind of material would’ve been dull, but fortunately, Yuen’s decided to go ridiculous instead of realistic.
Fourth, he never takes it seriously. Everything about DOA is bloodless, scantily clad fun.
Fourth, he never takes it seriously. Everything about DOA is bloodless, scantily clad fun.
Highly recommended for impressionable pre-teen brains.
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