Shaun Paul Piccinino directs American Fighter and you can tell from the fight scenes that Piccinino (said Peach-ah-nino) has a vast amount of experience in the stunt business. The film's cinematography doesn't blow you away, but what the director does, is choose to go with a realistic approach to the fights.
Gone is the blood and gore that has become a staple of the genre; we don't get any dramatic slow-motion punches and heads swing around with sweat spinning off. We get a rawness and fast-paced energy in each fight that helps keep the narrative at the centre of the film, while still satisfying the fight fans needs.
The choice to go with the gritty rather than glitzy was a bold choice but one that was well made and gave the film a realism. Being a movie set in the 80s the use of the training and fight montages fits more snuggly than it does in today's movies and the choices of homage to Rocky and some other 80s classics make this fun to watch.
Gone is the blood and gore that has become a staple of the genre; we don't get any dramatic slow-motion punches and heads swing around with sweat spinning off. We get a rawness and fast-paced energy in each fight that helps keep the narrative at the centre of the film, while still satisfying the fight fans needs.
The choice to go with the gritty rather than glitzy was a bold choice but one that was well made and gave the film a realism. Being a movie set in the 80s the use of the training and fight montages fits more snuggly than it does in today's movies and the choices of homage to Rocky and some other 80s classics make this fun to watch.