Jiu Jitsu Review: The Nic Cage Martial Arts Fever Dream 2020 Needs and Deserves

Release date: November 20, 2020
Running time: 102 minutes
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Marie Avgeropoulos, Frank Grillo, Tony Jaa, Alain Moussi, Juju Chan
Director: Dimitri Logothetis
Writers: Dimitri Logothetis, Jim McGrath

Every six years, an ancient order of expert Jiu Jitsu fighters faces a vicious race of alien invaders in a battle for Earth. For thousands of years, the fighters that protect Earth have won… until now. When celebrated war hero Jake Barnes (Alain Moussi) is defeated by Brax, the indomitable leader of the invaders, the future of humanity hangs in the balance. Injured and suffering from amnesia, Jake is rescued by Wylie (Nicolas Cage), Keung and his team of fellow Jiu Jitsu fighters. They must help Jake to regain his strength in order to band together and defeat Brax in an epic battle that will once again determine the fate of mankind.

Jiu Jitsu has a who's who cast of martial arts superstars.  Headlined by Tony Jaa, Frank Grillo, and Juju Chan, the film definitely has the physical tools to make a great martial arts movie.  And when the film is showcasing these talents it is at its best.  Fights are elaborate with plenty of slow motion to highlight the action.  Even the headliner Nic Cage gets into the kung fu action, though his scenes aren't nearly as elaborate.  He still is enjoyable to see as a crazy, old martial artist.  However, the film also stitches on a story relating the powerful enemy to the overall world.  Some parts of that story are entertaining, such as the scenes with Marie Avgeropoulos (who does a great job as military intelligence officer Myra) and Eddie Steeples as a very funny soldier.  And the film builds a lot to the final fight, which is an epic one.  The movie has a cool predator-like vibe at times, as the main enemy has similar powers and a hunting mentality.  

Jiu Jitsu relies heavily on CG to build some of the world and the main enemy, and this CG is hit or miss.  When it is subtle, such as showing the enemy's face, it is a nice addition.  However, when it needs to do more, such as show explosions, fire, or major effects it is noticeable.  And although the martial arts action is great when it is between human combatants, when it is against the main enemy it looks slow and too choreographed.  This is probably because the main enemy's suit makes it not mobile enough, requiring everything to be slowed down, but the end result are fights that are less exciting than they could have been.  The fighters do what they can to make these exciting with plenty of choreography and acrobatics, but when the main enemy doesn't move much there's only so much excitement to be had.  And the story is just ridiculous, but that's fine.  This is a Nic Cage martial arts movie, it doesn't need to make sense.

Jiu Jitsu is the Nic Cage martial arts fever dream that 2020 needs and deserves, with plenty of martial arts superstars, fighting, and an epic final battle.  

Rent it.

If you liked this review and want to see more from Watch or Pass, please consider 

following us on our various social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube. 

Jiu Jitsu is available on November 20. 

For additional information about the film and to rent / buy it, check it out at the links below.

This site contains affiliate links. //Commerce or this site may be compensated when you click through links on our site.