Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to my movie review.
Let me start off by saying that, i love Pro-wrestling, for over decades, we've seen a lot of wrestling shows that we like to see our familiar faces in the history, like Hulk Hogan, Sting, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch and so much more in wrestling businesses.
For movies about wrestling, its not easy to make a plot, which most of them about the obvious underdog or even difference between fiction and reality. They're some good like "The Wrestler" starring Mickey Rourke or some that are mediocre like "Ready to Rumble", a movie during the dying era of WCW (World Championship Wrestling) with an F minus grade jokes. However, there's one film that happens to be an adaptation of true story. Yup, we're doing another one.
"Fighting with my family" is a 2019 biographical sport comedy film written/directed by Stephen Merchant (yup, Wheatley from Portal 2 is also writing and directing) and produced by Kevin Misher and Michael J. Luis.
Even though this the film based on the true story about a recognizable female wrestler name "Paige", but it also said that it was on the documentary called "The Wrestlers: Fighting with My Family", though i never watched the documentary, but i was quiet curious and interested to see of our familiar former Divas wrestler for where did she began and her wrestling debut.
So, with all that said, will this movie will building up that you wish to be a pro-wrestler, or is it really a "Shoot" for a poor excuse to the fans?
Well, lets find out.
The Story
Since we've heard about wrestlers origin, we expected to have a nice and clean backstory, unlike some wrestler who used to wrestle in backyard. But for Paige, she has a nice and yet difficulty time before joining the main roster.
It tells where Paige started as "Britani Knight" in indie wrestling with her parents and her brother Zak Zodiac in order to bring more wrestlers to train for their promotion. Despite the promotion, they always calling WWE trainer Hutch Morgan to have Britani and Zak for tryouts, until he accepted before taping the episode of SmackDown on O2 Arena. In the tryouts with various wrestlers, Morgan chooses Britani as "Paige" (due to someone who already have a same name), leaving her prepared for going in US at Florida without her brother, causing her difficulty goal that she can't stop thinking about her family while training in NXT training. Its up to her whether she keeps training to WWE or giving up to stay with her family.
I find the story itself is was fascinating and rather too real, since we always like to training to be a wrestler, its not easy for doing by herself with the help of her brother or even the family, which she has no choice to find some new friend who's in training of wrestling like Jeri-Lynn, Kirsten, & Maddison (despite that they didn't have wrestling experience since some of them are used to be a model or a cheerleader). It also has a subplot that without Paige, we Zak went desperate to be in WWE, leaving him in depression with alcohol and probably went far for wrestling, which is rather understandable whether the company will ruining him or perhaps refuses to bring some random stranger. But the one thing that i like as a wrestling fan, is the plot element to be a pro-wrestler, i since i enjoy seeing some wrestling shows or even seeing indie wrestling, it is pretty tough to be an entertaining athlete that we're rooting for to be in either bigger indie wrestling or even wrestling shows like either WWE, TNA or even NJPW, it always got the attention for the dream that we like to be a wrestler, whether playing babyface or heel personality. Like in true story, i enjoyed watching wrestling shows like WWE or even indie wrestling on Christmas, i wanted to be a wrestler, but failed quickly due to my laziness, but i digress. One thing that they wanted to include is have some comedy, i find them to be pretty low brow and unnecessary for a biographical film, i did chuckle at time, but in the end, the comedy element is a waste of time since "The Chaperone". (Zing!)
But i have some problems, which is the setting, some inaccurate and missing parts, for example, the movie somewhat taking place in nowadays, due to the current stage of the shows like RAW and SmackDown Live, because her past taking place in 2005 to 2014, where she wrestled in independent with her family, then she went to "Shimmer Women Athletes" and finally picked up in development-territory called "Florida Championship Wrestling" in 2011. But the one im not proud for missing element is they didn't include her NXT women's championship reign in NXT before going to the main roster, which it would've been awesome that we rooting her, instead it changed to NXT live even with her and three female wrestlers. But some moment that im fine is the inclusion of The Rock himself, which in reality, he never met her before saw the documentary.
The story is pretty good and relate-able when it comes to be a pro-wrestler, but it had a problem with some inaccuracies and the missing elements.
The Presentation
Since this is a wrestling movie, you think that the production is rather simple and nice cinematography. But i find this movie looks pretty cool.
For starter, the filming location around in UK and in US. Though my guess is where they try to find the location for where did she began. The setting of wrestling show in indie are rather fascinated since most moments taking place on WAW (World Association of Wrestling) and indie wrestling school. But of course there's the WWE stage like RAW and SmackDown Live look rather fascinating, even though il miss the old times that they have a screen (called Titantron) above the entrance, but the downside is that as i mentioned, they kept the current logo and stages than borrow the old stages, since in 2014. But of course, the cinematography are beautiful show for showing the arena, the park and the action scene of wrestling and training.
As for the wrestlings, i always enjoy seeing some choreograph to show us some wrestling moves and some finishing moves, its entertaining and challenging if anyone likes to trying it in training, especially Paige's wrestling was performed by Tessa Blanchard.
The presentation are pretty good for say the least, since the budget was over $11 million, which it may sounds like low budget, but hey, at least they did a nice work.
The Characters
Since we follow the story, i can say the characters are fascinated and rather emotional for again, related for similar reasons.
Lets starts with Saraya Bevis, aka Paige (played by Florence Pugh), its is no secret that she's the main focus in the movie, despite of typical underdog, but pretty common that she started as a wrestling with stage freeze when it comes to her promo for the first time in NXT/WWE. But at least she does get better to be comfortable for her action, since as i mentioned, she can't stop thinking about her family, which her biggest weakness that we can relate for. But at least Florence did a nice work of her role, even if she may or may not look like Paige in real life.
Then we have Zak Bevis, aka Zak Zodiac (played by Jack Lowden), he's Paige's brother with flaws that he wanted to be in WWE, but ended up stuck on her own indie wrestling with his parents and married with his baby. Its understandable that he wants to wrestle with his sister, but didn't picked up after the tryout. Though Jack did a nice work for his role, but i careless about him, since Paige was my favorite Divas for the most part.
Then we have WWE trainer Hutch Morgan (played by Vince Vaughn), even though he's a fictional trainer in the movie, but i find him to be rather an ok character, even if he may have a sympathy to Paige, but he's more of a typical serious coach in wrestling. Though Vince did a nice work of his role, but like Zak, i felt careless that he's sorta like a main antagonist for his seriousness.
As for Paige's family, they're shown for not only their wrestling promotion, but also rooting for her, even if they're rather limited. Rowdy Ricky Knight (played by Nick Frost) is Paige's father that i can'\t help but looks kinda like "Giant Haystacks", and there's Sweet Saraya (played by Lena Headey) who's Paige's mother with messed up passed, though she has a nice hair style.
But the most notable one who's in the movie is Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson himself, though he appeared as cameo, but his execution are pretty good, he's basically a semi-wrestler to giving the advice and gave a respect to Paige and he always "The most electrifying man of all of entertainment" that he uses his catchphrase that we all know in the "Attitude Era". They even brought some wrestlers like Sheamus and Big show, but they basically showing up on backstage purpose.
The characters are rather interesting, even if most of them that are rather average and careless. But at least The Rock's cameo is more fascinating.
And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall "Fighting with my family" is rather a pretty good film that i can say, the story is pretty good and feels real that, the presentation is very nice for the location and wrestling moments and some characters are rather good. Even if the story that despite its good, but it has an inaccuracies with WWE stage and missing plot element to follow her origin of her timeline and well some characters are limited and rather forgettable. But at least some wrestling moments are a lot fun and entertaining, which is exactly what WWE is all about.
If you're curious about Paige's origin or a fan of wrestling, i'd say check this out, for the most part. Otherwise, stick to 2008 movie "The Wrestler".
For my rating, i give this movie 7/10. I wanted to give it 8 if without the comedy and maybe an accurate moment, but its seven out of ten for me.
So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.
Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.
It tells where Paige started as "Britani Knight" in indie wrestling with her parents and her brother Zak Zodiac in order to bring more wrestlers to train for their promotion. Despite the promotion, they always calling WWE trainer Hutch Morgan to have Britani and Zak for tryouts, until he accepted before taping the episode of SmackDown on O2 Arena. In the tryouts with various wrestlers, Morgan chooses Britani as "Paige" (due to someone who already have a same name), leaving her prepared for going in US at Florida without her brother, causing her difficulty goal that she can't stop thinking about her family while training in NXT training. Its up to her whether she keeps training to WWE or giving up to stay with her family.
I find the story itself is was fascinating and rather too real, since we always like to training to be a wrestler, its not easy for doing by herself with the help of her brother or even the family, which she has no choice to find some new friend who's in training of wrestling like Jeri-Lynn, Kirsten, & Maddison (despite that they didn't have wrestling experience since some of them are used to be a model or a cheerleader). It also has a subplot that without Paige, we Zak went desperate to be in WWE, leaving him in depression with alcohol and probably went far for wrestling, which is rather understandable whether the company will ruining him or perhaps refuses to bring some random stranger. But the one thing that i like as a wrestling fan, is the plot element to be a pro-wrestler, i since i enjoy seeing some wrestling shows or even seeing indie wrestling, it is pretty tough to be an entertaining athlete that we're rooting for to be in either bigger indie wrestling or even wrestling shows like either WWE, TNA or even NJPW, it always got the attention for the dream that we like to be a wrestler, whether playing babyface or heel personality. Like in true story, i enjoyed watching wrestling shows like WWE or even indie wrestling on Christmas, i wanted to be a wrestler, but failed quickly due to my laziness, but i digress. One thing that they wanted to include is have some comedy, i find them to be pretty low brow and unnecessary for a biographical film, i did chuckle at time, but in the end, the comedy element is a waste of time since "The Chaperone". (Zing!)
But i have some problems, which is the setting, some inaccurate and missing parts, for example, the movie somewhat taking place in nowadays, due to the current stage of the shows like RAW and SmackDown Live, because her past taking place in 2005 to 2014, where she wrestled in independent with her family, then she went to "Shimmer Women Athletes" and finally picked up in development-territory called "Florida Championship Wrestling" in 2011. But the one im not proud for missing element is they didn't include her NXT women's championship reign in NXT before going to the main roster, which it would've been awesome that we rooting her, instead it changed to NXT live even with her and three female wrestlers. But some moment that im fine is the inclusion of The Rock himself, which in reality, he never met her before saw the documentary.
The story is pretty good and relate-able when it comes to be a pro-wrestler, but it had a problem with some inaccuracies and the missing elements.
The Presentation
Since this is a wrestling movie, you think that the production is rather simple and nice cinematography. But i find this movie looks pretty cool.
For starter, the filming location around in UK and in US. Though my guess is where they try to find the location for where did she began. The setting of wrestling show in indie are rather fascinated since most moments taking place on WAW (World Association of Wrestling) and indie wrestling school. But of course there's the WWE stage like RAW and SmackDown Live look rather fascinating, even though il miss the old times that they have a screen (called Titantron) above the entrance, but the downside is that as i mentioned, they kept the current logo and stages than borrow the old stages, since in 2014. But of course, the cinematography are beautiful show for showing the arena, the park and the action scene of wrestling and training.
As for the wrestlings, i always enjoy seeing some choreograph to show us some wrestling moves and some finishing moves, its entertaining and challenging if anyone likes to trying it in training, especially Paige's wrestling was performed by Tessa Blanchard.
The presentation are pretty good for say the least, since the budget was over $11 million, which it may sounds like low budget, but hey, at least they did a nice work.
The Characters
Since we follow the story, i can say the characters are fascinated and rather emotional for again, related for similar reasons.
Lets starts with Saraya Bevis, aka Paige (played by Florence Pugh), its is no secret that she's the main focus in the movie, despite of typical underdog, but pretty common that she started as a wrestling with stage freeze when it comes to her promo for the first time in NXT/WWE. But at least she does get better to be comfortable for her action, since as i mentioned, she can't stop thinking about her family, which her biggest weakness that we can relate for. But at least Florence did a nice work of her role, even if she may or may not look like Paige in real life.
Then we have Zak Bevis, aka Zak Zodiac (played by Jack Lowden), he's Paige's brother with flaws that he wanted to be in WWE, but ended up stuck on her own indie wrestling with his parents and married with his baby. Its understandable that he wants to wrestle with his sister, but didn't picked up after the tryout. Though Jack did a nice work for his role, but i careless about him, since Paige was my favorite Divas for the most part.
Then we have WWE trainer Hutch Morgan (played by Vince Vaughn), even though he's a fictional trainer in the movie, but i find him to be rather an ok character, even if he may have a sympathy to Paige, but he's more of a typical serious coach in wrestling. Though Vince did a nice work of his role, but like Zak, i felt careless that he's sorta like a main antagonist for his seriousness.
As for Paige's family, they're shown for not only their wrestling promotion, but also rooting for her, even if they're rather limited. Rowdy Ricky Knight (played by Nick Frost) is Paige's father that i can'\t help but looks kinda like "Giant Haystacks", and there's Sweet Saraya (played by Lena Headey) who's Paige's mother with messed up passed, though she has a nice hair style.
But the most notable one who's in the movie is Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson himself, though he appeared as cameo, but his execution are pretty good, he's basically a semi-wrestler to giving the advice and gave a respect to Paige and he always "The most electrifying man of all of entertainment" that he uses his catchphrase that we all know in the "Attitude Era". They even brought some wrestlers like Sheamus and Big show, but they basically showing up on backstage purpose.
The characters are rather interesting, even if most of them that are rather average and careless. But at least The Rock's cameo is more fascinating.
And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall "Fighting with my family" is rather a pretty good film that i can say, the story is pretty good and feels real that, the presentation is very nice for the location and wrestling moments and some characters are rather good. Even if the story that despite its good, but it has an inaccuracies with WWE stage and missing plot element to follow her origin of her timeline and well some characters are limited and rather forgettable. But at least some wrestling moments are a lot fun and entertaining, which is exactly what WWE is all about.
If you're curious about Paige's origin or a fan of wrestling, i'd say check this out, for the most part. Otherwise, stick to 2008 movie "The Wrestler".
For my rating, i give this movie 7/10. I wanted to give it 8 if without the comedy and maybe an accurate moment, but its seven out of ten for me.
So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.
Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.
In real life, while still angry at his rejection from WWE, Zak was actually a very good sport about it, and went on to tag with his big brother Roy as the UK Hooligans.
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