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THE MOVIE
Ever wondered precisely what happens inside the human body during a fight? If you have, you might be inclined to check out the two-disc, five-episode DVD Fight Science and Fight Masters, though you will probably find yourself fairly unenlightened if you do. The first two episodes (Fight Science) examine the biomechanics behind physical martial arts techniques and way weapons are used in various styles. A variety of martial arts champions demonstrate their particular style of fighting (including wushu, jiu jitsu, tae kwon do and ninjitsu), the physical techniques involved and how these techniques specifically disable opponents. The weaponry of martial arts is also explored, with looks at the mechanics of nunchakus, spears, bo staffs, and three-section-staffs. The roster of proponents is impressive, featuring Dan Inosanto (a Bruce Lee protégé who fought the man himself in Game of Death) Toshishiro Obata (who played the Shredder’s right hand man in the first two Ninja Turtles films), jiu jitsu champion Rickson Gracie and Australian Bren Foster (tae kwon do world champ) and Kiwi Glen Levy (a ninjitsu master). The following three episodes (Fight Masters) cover similar ground. Again, a battery of biomechanical tests are used to examine elements of fighting styles, though here we look at mixed martial arts (think Ultimate Fighting), self defence, and police and military special forces. The mix of participants here is a bit more diverse, from professional fighters Randy Coture and Tito Ortiz, to Israeli ex-commando Amir Perets and Navy SEAL Stew Smith, to self defence trainers Chris Caracci and Dr Elizabeth Zide. Across all five episodes, we get to see lots of Mythbusters-style tests involving ballistic-gel dummies, body sensors, motion capture suits and so on. The internal physical effects on the participants are illustrated via CGI re-creations (which oddly gives everyone the appearance of having a metal skeleton), though this isn’t detailed enough to really convey what goes on in the body during moments of physical action. This lack of detail is the start of the problem with these programs. While the premise behind both Fight Science and Fight Masters is sound, the execution is frustratingly superficial. Fight Science, though the more interesting of the two, contains some strangely half-arsed methodology in determining which fighting style can most effectively cause a knock-out, claiming to prove that boxing is more effective than either kung fu or karate. Yet the boxer involved in the test is also way larger in size than either martial arts fighter, undermining the credibility of the results. While the participants are acknowledged masters of their respective styles, there’s little indication that factors of size and age have been accounted for in the tests.
Things get worse in Fight Masters, which gets annoyingly reverential towards its participants (see if you can count how many times Robert Leigh’s fawning voice-over refers to them as “warriors”) and never goes into the specifics of physical and mental conditioning, despite mentioning them endlessly. Additionally, lot of information from Fight Science is rehashed to tedious effect. The section on self-defence is especially questionable. Do we really need to learn how to gouge someone’s eyes, jab someone in the windpipe, or deliver an ear-clap, all in the name of “science”? None of these bits seems especially relevant from a scientific perspective, and seem mainly included for voyeuristic effect. Just as dubious is a sequence where Chris Caracci “defeats” a taser blast through the power of meditation. The final segment on special forces techniques is more compelling, but the absence of any serious exploration of physical conditioning leaves the participants’ feats looking simply arcane and mysterious. The repeated mantra of “superior genetics” is both unsatisfactory and frankly, a little creepy. In all, this is a wasted opportunity to thoroughly explain the physiology of fighting. It’s hard to tell exactly who this is aimed at. Kids might dig the fighting, but probably tune out the science stuff, while grown-ups will feel as if they’re being talked down to by the dopey voice over. Martial arts buffs can pretty much get fighting stuff elsewhere, while the scientifically-minded will be deeply frustrated by the flawed methodology and superficial tone.
THE TRANSFER
Video:
Looking like an NTSC-to-PAL conversion, the picture quality is generally soft throughout. Colours are a bit too strong at times, bordering on colour bleed. On the upside, given that this is presented on two single-layer discs, there are no noticeable compression artefacts to be found. Subtitles for the hearing impaired are included and are presented in an easy to read white font.
Audio:
For all the hyperkinetic visual goings-on, the 2.0 audio track isn’t as lively as you’d expect. There’s the odd directional cue, but not much that’ll inspire you to use this as demo disc for your sound system. All dialogue is crystal clear.
THE EXTRAS
Any extra material was roundhouse-kicked though a fifteenth-floor window.
SUMMARY
More fight than science, this has an interesting premise, but is fatally undermined by a superficial approach and some questionable methodology. Still, if you’re a martial arts enthusiast, you might get a bit more out of the whole thing. Maybe. |
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