Arena (2011)

Directed by: Jonah Loop | 90 minutes | action, thriller | Actors: Samuel L. Jackson, Kellan Lutz, Johnny Messner, Katia Winter, Daniel Dae Kim, James Remar, Nina Dobrev, Lauren Shiohama, Irene Choi, Kofi Yiadom, Derek Mears, Dean J. West, Jason Zone Fisher, Kent Jude Bernard Grant Case, Heather Harrison, Marcelle Baer, ​​Phil Culotta, Michael Liu, Tze Yep, Solomon Loop, Shanna Forrestall, Sam Medina, Vanessa Branch, Laura Weissbecker

Things are not going to get any better in the near future. Humanity may still come up with the most brilliant inventions that can extend your life and maintain your health, but if ‘Arena’ teaches us anything it is that man is a primitive and bloodthirsty creature. A cynical message processed in a mindless action spectacle.

Arena revolves around David Lord (Kellan Lutz). After the death of his wife, he is completely lost. When he falls into a melancholy mood for the charms of a call girl Milla (Katia Winter), his life changes instantly. When the blond brawn wakes up after a wild night, he finds himself in a prison. Lord can only go out if he decides to fight. This is not about ‘innocent’ boxing matches, but about fights to the death. Lord becomes a gladiator. The massacres are broadcast live on the internet. The organizer (Samuel L. Jackson) of these illegal showdowns has become rich. Slowly Lord and Milla grow closer.

Well. If you read the synopsis of ‘Arena’, you know exactly what to expect – and get. This B-movie does everything by the book. If you are a fan of the oeuvre of Arnie and Sly then you can give this film a chance. The action scenes look slick. The violence is clearly and not childishly portrayed. Traditionally, there is too little action in this genre film. Once you’ve seen a great clip, you’ll crave more. Unfortunately, it remains with a few beautiful scenes and the rest of the film is filled with images that pass for a story. To please the target audience, director Jonah Loop throws in some pointless nude scenes. You can see Katia Winter parading past completely unclothed a few times. One time she is in the shower and the other time she is completely unclothed in front of Lutz (who is of course very modestly wearing pants).

‘Arena’ is an entertaining B-movie that can be easily digested with the mind at zero. The acting is very weak. Lutz looks especially angry and rolls his muscles, Winter has a toned body (she doesn’t get the chance to act) and attraction Samuel L. Jackson is just waiting for his check. The man does not take his role seriously at all and eases his way to the finish line. Jackson has charisma and he knows it. He just stands there and poses. He just got away with it.

Looking for airy pulp? Then ‘Arena’ might be something for you.