The Man with the Iron Fists (2012)

Elevator Pitch: In a Chinese village the clans war, when they are not whoring in the luxurious brothel in the town centre. When the leader of one of the clans is assassinated his son, recently married, sets out to avenge him, armed, if that is the word, with a suit containing many concealed spikes and knives, which stand him in good stead when he is ambushed on the road. Meanwhile in the brothel a westerner takes up residence. The village blacksmith makes weapons for the clans in order to buy the freedom of his lover, who works in the brothel, and giving everybody an incentive to be in charge, a shipment of gold is due to pass though the township in the near future.

Content: There is no nudity, but the westerner seems to provide sexual fulfilment for several of the hookers, and later a lot of sex takes place with according to IMDb “thrusting, panting and moaning”. There is a lot of martial arts, as people fly through the air and dismember each other or are stabbed by hidden knives. The blacksmith provides some narration, and after having his arms cut off becomes the man of the title. One of the protagonists is Brass Body, a man who cannot be overcome because his skin turns to metal when he is hit.

A View: It is quite difficult to determine who the good people are and who the bad people are, or maybe they are all bad, and the combat is so wild that you can’t help wondering at it. The presence of one or two quite major stars also make an impression, and we have to face it, the hookers are charming. The critics were divided about it, those who liked it finding it engaging and enthusiastic. It might be best not to worry too  much about the plot and just let the whole thing wash over you, so probably a watch if this sort of thing lights your fire.

Additional Info: RZA, for those who don’t know, is an American rapper and record producer, leader and producer of the music of the “Wu-Tang Clan.