Fighting Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Hunky counterfeiter punches his way to love and riches because the only way to prove your worth is through unregulated underground brawls, obviously.

🍿 Fighting: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Shawn MacArthur and Harvey Boarden

Shawn MacArthur, a former high school wrestler from Alabama, scrapes by selling counterfeit goods in New York City. He encounters Harvey Boarden, a small-time hustler and fight promoter, after defending himself against thugs. Seeing potential, Harvey offers Shawn a chance to make money through underground street fighting.

Entering the Underground Fighting Circuit

Shawn enters the gritty world of underground bare-knuckle fighting with Harvey as his manager. He quickly proves his skill, winning fights in diverse locations and against various opponents, earning a substantial amount of money. He also develops a romantic interest in Zulay Velez, a single mother and waitress.

Confronting the Past

Shawn’s past catches up to him when he encounters Evan Hailey, a rival from his high school wrestling days. Their rivalry intensifies, leading to a high-stakes fight offer. Meanwhile, Harvey, facing financial pressures, plans to double-cross Shawn by betting against him in the final fight.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum): A kind-hearted Alabama native and former wrestler making ends meet in NYC by selling counterfeit goods, who becomes a successful underground fighter.
• Harvey Boarden (Terrence Howard): A seasoned, but down-on-his-luck scam artist and street-fight promoter who takes Shawn under his wing to make money.
• Zulay Velez (Zulay Henao): A single mother and waitress who becomes Shawn’s love interest and helps him turn the tables on Harvey’s scheme.
• Evan Hailey (Brian White): Shawn’s arrogant high-school wrestling rival who becomes his ultimate opponent in the underground fighting circuit.
• Martinez (Luis Guzmán): A powerful and menacing figure in the underground fighting scene, who wants to exploit Shawn’s fighting ability.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Harvey Boarden: “You win, you get $5,000 dollars. You lose, you get nothin’.” – Harvey explains the high-stakes, winner-take-all nature of the underground fights to Shawn.
• Shawn MacArthur: “So, what, I’m gonna fight this… this guy, and then what? What happens?” – Shawn is skeptical and trying to understand the consequences of entering the fighting world.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $23,091,010
• Worldwide Gross: $32,482,728

💥 Fighting Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went in not expecting much, but ‘Fighting’ had some surprisingly cool moments. I really liked the underground fight scenes – they felt raw and intense. Channing Tatum was believable as this down-on-his-luck guy, and I was actually rooting for him! My favorite scene was when he faced off against that martial arts dude in the penthouse; the tension was real. Overall, it’s a fun, slightly cheesy, but enjoyable action flick. I wouldn’t mind watching it again on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Channing Tatum”
  • “Viewers interested in street fighting movies”
  • “Audiences who enjoy underdog stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Generic Film Critic: “Fighting feels like a collection of fight scenes loosely strung together with a predictable plot. While Channing Tatum has charisma, the film doesn’t offer anything new to the genre. The gritty New York setting is a plus, but it’s not enough to save this from being a mediocre watch. The director’s intentions of highlighting the nuances of New York streets are unfortunately shadowed by a lack of quality and interesting story.
• Action Movie Buff: “If you’re looking for a non-stop action flick, ‘Fighting’ might disappoint. The fight scenes are decent, but the pacing is uneven, and the dramatic elements feel forced. Terrence Howard’s performance is a highlight, adding some much-needed depth to a rather shallow story. This movie needed more realistic brawls and a grittier premise that focused on the protagonist’s motivations for the dangerous venture.
• Indie Film Lover: “This film has a raw energy that’s appealing, and the cinematography captures the grit of New York City. However, the script is weak, and the character development feels rushed. It felt like there were a lot of missed opportunities to explore the complex themes of desperation and redemption. It almost redeems itself during the final fight which is more enjoyable than the rest of the movie.

Audience Reactions

The underground fight scenes are brutal and realistic, which made it exciting to watch.: Many viewers appreciated the gritty atmosphere and the raw, intense fighting choreography.

Channing Tatum’s performance was surprisingly good, making the character relatable and likeable.: Fans enjoyed Tatum’s portrayal of a street-smart fighter and his on-screen chemistry with Terrence Howard.

Overall Consensus: Mixed opinions overall; some viewers enjoyed the raw action and gritty realism, while others found the plot predictable and the character development lacking.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Channing Tatum actually broke his nose while filming one of the fight scenes, adding a touch of realism to the movie.”
• “Director Dito Montiel aimed to capture the gritty, authentic feel of New York City’s underground fighting scene, using real locations and a raw, unpolished style.”
• “The film features a mix of trained actors and real-life fighters to enhance the credibility of the fight choreography.”

🖥️ How to Watch Fighting?

Fighting is available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for cable on-demand options. While not typically included with standard subscriptions, it may occasionally be offered on streaming services that rotate their movie selections.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Fighting, you might like these similar films:

• Never Back Down (2008): Features underground fighting and a young protagonist learning to stand up for himself.
• Lionheart (1990): Features a similar plot of a man entering underground fights for money.
• Warrior (2011): Explores themes of family, redemption, and the brutal world of mixed martial arts fighting.
• Hard Times (1975): A classic bare-knuckle fighting film set during the Great Depression, focusing on the raw and desperate nature of the sport.

🛒 Fighting Related Products

• Fighting (Blu-ray): Experience the raw energy of the underground fight scene in high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Includes unrated version and bonus content!
• Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves: Train like Shawn MacArthur with these Everlast Pro Style Training Gloves. Durable construction provides excellent protection and comfort for boxing and martial arts training. Train at your local gym and improve your fitness or join a gym and start boxing, kickboxing or martial arts training.
• Street Fighter 6: While not directly ‘Fighting’ related, ‘Street Fighter 6’ offers a similar high-octane fighting experience. This edition improves the game with better graphics and better gameplay.
• Channing Tatum Movie Collection: Includes Channing Tatum’s most memorable roles. A collection for Channing Tatum fans!

🎧 Soundtrack

Fighting features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City” – performed by Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland
• “American Gangster” – performed by Various Artists (Mentioned in User Reviews)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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