Chinese Zodiac a.k.a. CZ12 a.k.a. Armor of God 3 (2012)

Dock fight: 1.75/5


Team JC vs Pirates: 2.25/5


JC vs Vulture: 4.25/5


JC vs henchmen: 3.75/5


Katie vs Bonnie: 3/5



This is not the best Jackie Chan movie ever. It's not even in the top 30, probably. It does have its fun moments, though. It's better than most of the Hollywood stuff he's done. And at least it's a true Jackie Chan Hong Kong film. So for that alone, I enjoyed it.

There isn't a whole lot of fighting in the first 75% of it. The fighting at the tail end of the movie is great though, and is true Jackie Chan creative and at times comedic choreography. There's also a fight between two female characters that is pretty cool. This 15 minute chunk is by far the highlight of the film. Many other plot points and action sequences just don't click and the comedy is very hit or miss.

Mildly Recommended. VERY Mildly.

Yellow Zone (2012)

Andy Long vs Khoi Chau: 3/5



Andy Long vs Can Aydin: 4.5/5



That 80's Hong Kong style fight Andy and Can pull off shows that they would've fit in nicely back then. It's so good. And the tribute to Millionaire's Express at the end is terrific. And you get to see Andy do a Jackie Chan Police Story stunt during the credits. What's not to love?

Dogfight (2012)

The Fight: 4.5/5



One of the best LBP fights ever. And that's saying something. Shawn Bernal's never looked better. That's also saying something, as Shawn is one of my favorite screen fighters of all time. This is also a top contender for greatest 2 vs 1 fight of all time. Interesting dynamic in that there are 2 good guys. I guess my only complaint about the short is I wish there was more to establish them as the good guys. I was rooting for Shawn through most of it. But the choreography and exchanges still run through my mind sometimes, it's so on point. Excellent stuff.

Men In Suits (2012)

Green vs Blacks: 4.25/5


Green vs Red: 3.25/5


Purple vs Blacks: 4/5


Purple vs Red: 4/5



One of my favorite Vlad shorts of all time. And that's saying something. The use of dress color is evocative yet effective in establishing the characters, who never speak. Aaron Toney, the badass big boss in red. Mickey's heroine is easy to root for and Amy carries herself with a real sense of self confidence. I also appreciated Xin's mini boss character, clearly a lover of violence and challenging fights. I do wish I had a little more back story on what is going on, exactly. But the storytelling is simple and told well through the fighting. Great stuff.

Relic Hunt (2012)

4 Way: 4.25/5


Arcqeo vs Sheriff: 2.75/5


Arcqeo vs Vanessa: N/R



A classic 3 for all turns into an exciting 4 way fight with racial implications. This is a really fun short film, with great action. The second fight is great too it's just too short for me to rate any higher. The characters are fun and there's also a great motorcycle kick spot. Great stuff.

Part 2 Chapter A (2012)

White Suits vs Black Suits: 3.5/5

Mickey vs Caitlin: 4/5

Mickey vs Gui: N/A

These are great. Caitlin carries herself very well in these, exuding an aura of physical dominance. Mickey is always so easy to root for. Her small stature yet clear ability serves well for the plucky underdog character. Gui's character is great too, as the boss who's too strong to break a sweat on anyone, with an artifact of power, his white umbrella. Very anime, I dig it. I want more.

Those Who Go To Hell Episode 3 (2012)

Roberto vs Jessie: 3.25/5


Daniel vs Timothy: 2.25/5


Daniel vs Shin: 4/5



Man I wish Manny vs Jay had gone longer. It does make however Manny's character of Roberto, the silent assassin, look strong, that he beat a legitimate fighter that quickly. It really sets up the final showdown between Daniel and Roberto nicely...except we never actually get it due to the project being unfinished :(


Shawn's fight with Jon is...there. It's not bad, it's short and pretty basic. Since this was originally going to be a movie not every fight can be long and epic. Which brings me to...


Shawn vs Keith. Though unfinished, the best 1 on 1 fight in the series. Manny vs Shawn might've surpassed it had it been filmed, but take nothing away from this fight; it's modern day shapes in a noir setting. There's really nothing else like it, anywhere. Had it been finished who knows how great it could've been.


Whenever I think of the Shawn/Manny fight we never got here I think of this fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OruqZ0_Tb3o

It's the spiritual replacement of the final fight that we never got in this series, for me. Also if you're reading this I probably reviewed all of the fights in "Yo Soy Un Hombre Loco" somewhere on this blog.

Those Who Go To Hell Episode 2 (2012)

Daniel vs Jonathan: 2.75/5


Daniel vs Thugs: 2.75/5


Shin/Roberto vs Thugs: 3.5/5



Another unfinished fight! Man, and it was looking pretty good too. The house fight was more of a struggle than a traditional fight scene, but it wasn't bad, some good falls in it.

Manny is an artist behind the camera. But man is he a great screen fighter too. And this was Keith's breakout performance to me. Keith looked like an absolute powerhouse fighter here. Juxtaposed with the more experienced, smaller and faster character Manny played. I loved their different styles of annihilating enemies. "2 vs many" is a genre I wish we saw more of. Great work, just wish it was longer and had more Manny.

Part 1 Chapter C (2012)

Mickey vs Amy: 4/5




Arguably the two best female screen fighters in the game tearing it up. It's gritty, it's bloody and goddamn is it good. Vlad does it again.

Naruto Shipudenn Dreamer's Fight (2012)

Rock Lee vs Naruto: 4/5


Great stuff. Tributes can be tricky but Thousand Pounds pulled it off. Lee's Drunken Style in live action could only be pulled off by a talent like Brendon Huor.

Keep Going (2012)

Darren's Battle: 4/5



One of my favorite martial arts short films. Everything about it is on point. It's such a cohesive narrative and the storytelling of the fighting is terrific. Truly a work of art. Dardrex's best project to date.

Agent 4-H (2012)

Daniel vs Assassin: 3.5/5


At the time of release, Lunar's best fight scene to date. Made my "Top 20" list for 2012.

Slug Street Scrappers 2 (2012)

Ryuken vs Slugger Squad: 3.25/5

Knuckles vs Billy Broker: 2.75/5

Bruiser vs Venom: 3/5

Bruiser vs Ryuken: 3.75/5

Peaches vs Shizuka: 1.75/5


Good short film. The fighting is varied and the story progresses. Shaun Charney and Micah Brock are both great. And we get to see them fight each other, here. Recommended.

Slug Street Scrappers (2012)

Bruiser vs Punchy: 3.25/5

Bruiser vs Slugger Squad: 3/5

Bruiser vs Peaches: 2.25/5


Decent short film. More of just a taste of the universe being created. Its sequels improve upon it. Recommended.

Swag (2012)

Felix/Lorenz vs Fabian/Michael: 4.25/5

Felix & Lorenz vs Michael: 4.5/5




Another great Young Masters short film. Fun choreography, cool outfits and cool music. Watch it.

Mario Warfare Part 1 (2012)

Toad vs Bill: 3.5/5


My first gun-kata review! Yay. Good chorerography and fluid performance. Main gripe is it didn't feel varied enough. Enjoyed the humor element they mixed in as well, though. Also, Mario Warfare as a series is terrific. There's tons of action besides just the fights I'll be reviewing. Check it out.

Walter Garcia's "Hermanos" (2012)

Fight Scene: 3.75/5

Love the accompanying music to the fight. Gives it a distinct Latino vibe. Very good choreography. A believable 2 vs 1 exchange. And an interesting location as well. I dig this short film.

Live Action Sleeping Dogs Fight Film (2012)

Opening Fight: 3.5/5

Restaurant Fight: 3.75/5

Parking Lot Fight: 4.25/5

Solid fighting throughout, and the parking lot fight picks it up even more. It reminds me of the parking lot fight in Righting Wrongs a.k.a. Above The Law. Xin Yu is an absolute beast of a screen fighter. The fact that he reminds me of my all time favorite screen fighter, Yuen Biao, is saying something.