The Man With the Iron Fists

Stunts and Effects: 70% 
Logic: 15% 
Soundtrack: 100% 
TnA: 39% 
Cognitive Decline of Audience: -65% 
Overall Inches on the Action Erection Scale: 10 out of 12

Going in, The Man With the Iron Fists had plenty going against it. First off, it was an American production playing in a predominantly non-American genre. Second, the film had an untested director at the helm, music producer RZA. Lastly, the movie dubiously credits Eli Roth as a co-writer (Sorry, kids...Hostel is NOT a glowing recommendation). With all these variables working against it, it’s RZA’s reliable craftsmanship that sees the film all the way through, despite its shortcomings.

Taking place during the 1800s, the film attempts to explain itself by introducing an over-accelerated plot about a shipment of government gold that’s secured inside a village brothel. A dizzying number of clans want to possess the gold, putting a displaced weapons maker (RZA) in the middle of their war. Some of the clans involved are unscrupulous, all of them are skilled in gravity-defying martial arts, and the luckiest ones are heralded by a killer soundtrack.

Starring a curious mish mash of well-known international faces, The Man With the Iron Fists is ultimately just a vanity project for RZA, the blacksmith behind the renowned Wu-Tang Clan. Like most Hip Hop artist, he has found a way to make himself the most important thing in the room. Unlike most Hip Hop artist, he’s managed to do so without coming off as obnoxious. Instead, he’s simply a kid in a candy store --- most  likely recreating his favorite chop socky flicks and spinning them into his own personal kung-fu musical.  

The enthusiasm within The Man With the Iron Fists is authentic enough that it overcomes it’s blatant ego boosting, making it a serviceable homage. Fans of RZA the music producer will love it because it encompasses all the things they’ve come to love about Wu Tang. On the other end, film nerds can view it as a demo track. Something meant to prove that RZA brings a level of certainty to everything he touches.