Death Grip (Video 2012) Poster

(2012 Video)

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7/10
Hollywood Should Be Ashamed
asmits-415-2335175 July 2012
If there's one thing that Eric Jacobus and The Stunt People consistently do, it's embarrass big budget Hollywood action filmmakers, who are generally clueless when it comes to fight choreography and cinematography. "Death Grip" is a fantastic micro-budget action film with a genuinely engaging plot and cast, and quite possibly the best American made martial arts film since Steve Wang's "Drive" (1997). The Hong Kong influence is apparent, so if you like your fight scenes fast, flashy, and furious (like Jackie Chan's "Police Story" for instance), the film is sure to please. Jacobus and his team focus on ground based fighting techniques that are both stylish and hard hitting, and the timing and precision are excellent. The film is also mercifully free from attitude and macho posturing, which is where so many domestic action films go wrong. Instead, we're treated to a tight and intelligent script with authentic dialog and believable characterizations, with no extraneous filler. Action fans and kung fu buffs should rejoice.
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7/10
"You made this personal"
Eric Jacobus and his Stunt People are without a doubt one of the most creative and talented groups of martial arts performers the film world has ever seen. Why these guys aren't getting a film into wide distribution every other year is a matter of injustice, especially while our established group of mainstream action stars grows stale. Previously only available via indie distribution, DEATH GRIP here hangs with 2014's top martial arts releases from around the world, supplying great fights and improved production values from Jacobus' CONTOUR nine years ago. A questionable storyline and a lengthy gap in the fighting threaten this one's high score, but in the end, it's going to be worth every penny you pay for it.

The story: A troubled drifter (Jacobus) and his autistic brother (Nathan Hoskins) are inexplicably drawn into the deadly plot of an antichrist cult.

The design and tone of this film are worlds removed from Jacobus' previous feature. Whereas CONTOUR was colorful and bombastic, DEATH GRIP is melancholy and purposely restrained. The opening 15 minutes feature relatively little dialogue, punctuated only by an impressive three-on-one fight scene, and well-handled ambiance. The film's setting is bleak and often colorless, though not without a sense of humor that's sometimes both clever and delicate. Sadly, the latter two-thirds of the picture lose a good deal of the character intrigue that the first had going for it, and in the long run, the plot involving a satanic cult trying to recover one of the coins paid for Christ's betrayal is as awkward as it sounds. Jaobus - along with fellow SP members Rebecca Ahn, Alvin Hsing, and Chelsea Steffensen - get to flex their acting muscles a bit, but I'm not sure how satisfied I am of the stereotypical, childlike representation of autism in the movie, regardless of Nathan Hoskins' strong performance.

But all faults seem to melt away as soon as the fight scenes begin. Jacobus' team is as innovative as ever, and definitely give the impression that they've taken notes while watching Undisputed III and The Raid. There are six fights to be seen, and while one of them is not really in the same league as the others (i.e. the bathroom brawl), it's these other ones that properly show the world what the human body is capable of. Evenly split between one-against-many and one-on-one encounters, the choreography of these matches is imaginative in its design, beautiful in its execution, and scary in its speed. Disappointingly, much of the last two acts feature no real fighting, though viewers who endure this are rewarded with three superb back-to-back-to-back brawls. My favorite of the bunch is a hyperspeed knife fight between Jacobus and Alvin Hsing. The climatic battle is between Jacobus and Johnny Yong Bosch, the ex-Power Ranger who utterly rebuilt the action standard in BROKEN PATH and gets in a swell match here that features a ton of clever fighting tactics.

Two more fights and/or a more compelling storyline would have probably resulted in one more star in my rating, or at least would have made the current four more solid, as they currently teeter on three. In the end, for the most part, this is an early Christmas present for viewers who truly appreciate the skill and effort it takes to build a good fight scene. I think the Stunt People have yet to make their definitive, streamlined package for the world to see, but this is definitely a jump kick in the right direction.
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7/10
Outstanding fight scenes, odd tone
ipkevin-561-13538021 December 2012
First things first: The fight scenes in Death Grip are outstanding. Do you remember how complex, exciting, and fun Jackie Chan's fight scenes were in the late '80s before he became obsessed with stunts and running away? Well, it's like Eric Jacobus and the Stunt People picked up where Jackie fell off and have been developing that style all this time. They've taken that same punchy spirit from 80s Hong Kong fight choreography, updated it with modern camera techniques and editing, and put their own violent spin on it. You could make the case that no other group in the world create fight scenes as well as The Stunt People right now.

Having said that, Death Grip has issues with pacing and tone. Like classic 1980s HK cinema, the story veers from comedy to action to heavy melodrama to outrageous violence. But unlike those HK films, the pace is slow and leaden. Characters often pause and react slowly for no reason, making you want to yell at them to hurry up. The photography (while stylish) seems under-lit and the music is constantly ominous, giving the whole affair a gloomy vibe that detracts from the story's lighthearted tone and absurd events. Also, the fights are too few and far between and when they do come, the lighting is so dark that they can be hard to appreciate fully. It's infuriating to struggle to see those magnificent fights, then switch to the Blu-Ray's "extra" fights and see how well-lit yet still stylish they are. The brighter lighting and colours even give the fights an extra pop of energy! Regardless, Jacobus' likable underdog charisma pulls the film together and his epic battle with Johnny Bosch makes the film a must-see.
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7/10
Great fun, could have been a classic with a little more polish
lemon_magic18 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I found "Death Grip" in a Mill Creek compilation (one of those "10 movies for $5" DVD things), and the enthusiastic reviews on the cover persuaded me to give it a try. Well, my curiosity was rewarded with what appears to be an overlooked diamond in the rough, and I really enjoyed seeing it.

So why only 7 stars?

When I say "diamond in the rough", I mean "ROUGH". It's a pity that Jacobus couldn't have collaborated with some more experienced film professionals, who could have had the actors tweak their line deliveries here and there, edited things a bit tighter, lit things a bit brighter in a few places, etc. In this, I think the inevitable comparisons to Jackie Chan and modern Hong Kong martial arts extravaganzas are apt - acting, pacing, and plot are weaknesses there, too.

OTOH, I give the screenplay credit for trying to insert some humanity and characterization into the bare-bones action oriented story and dialog, and some of the little touches here and there are very well done (for instance, the first 5 minutes features a punch in the nose that is worth the price of admission). And the fight sequences are ferociously energetic and entertaining.

I liked this enough that I plan to track down previous and future "Stunt People" productions, and as a "minor league/low budget" martial arts genre piece, this is easily an 8. But as a "real" movie (one I would show my wife or my non-MA friends), the rough spots and half-baked screenplay drop it down a notch.
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9/10
Gritty action drama with heart -
Darkrecordz11 August 2012
From the very first frame you can see the improvement that Eric Jacobus and the Stunt People team have made from earlier efforts. The cinematography is now beautiful and crisp, gritty grey's and smooth camera movements make this a joy to watch and to top it off, the story is engaging and practically hole free with the Stuntpeople's signature frenetic choreographed fights and action (which are always clear to see unlike most Hollywood movie's) complementing the story rather than make a boring film with a couple good action bits like most B movies these days. So congrats to these guys for giving us hope for the martial art action movie scene :)

Death Grip tells the story of Kenny (Eric Jacobus), a man living day to day in his own guilt and Kenny's reunion with his brother Mark (Nathan hoskins) his autistic brother who he hasn't seen in years. When Kenny drags his brother to a catering gig it doesn't go the way it should go when they get embroiled in the affairs of a cult out to rob an artifact from a museum. With support from Rebecca Ahn, Bosch and the rest of the SP team, It's a solid film.

Like the best Hong Kong action films it has a guy in the wrong place at the wrong time trying to do the right thing, bathrooms get broken, blood gets sprayed and the stuntpeople's traditional off beat humor also makes some cameo's which help pace the film. One particular scene reminded me of why tito ortiz has a UFC rule made after him, you'll know when you see it, the action in this movie isn't as heavy as past SP films but this is so the story can take centre stage but when the action does come it's brutal, fast paced and realistic, where as their previous movie was like cityhunter this is more The Raid meets Batman begins, really gritty and cool and well worth the watch :) (As a bonus there are heaps of extras on the DVD, making ofs, extra short films, and outtakes, count me excited for their next effort!!) Also watch out for Eric Jacobus and the stuntpeople's name's as they are destined for great things and bigger projects in Hollywood :)
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8/10
A blood-stained glimmer of hope for the action film industry.
Lemonhead5555527 July 2012
After a grueling six years since the release of their last proper feature film, San Francisco-based amateur action pioneers The Stunt People return with a vengeance in Death Grip, a sophisticated action- thriller that glimmers with professional polish and demonstrates the considerable progress the outfit has made in their mission to reclaim the art of the action film for a new generation of audiences jaded by the uninspired output of mainstream cinema.

Boasting impressive sets, a cast of capable dramatic actors and staggering technical prowess, Death Grip is a Stunt People production unlike any previously seen. Grim, suspenseful and superbly atmospheric, the group has at last found a vehicle that has enabled them to consolidate all their strongest attributes – unique storytelling, local flair, humor, concussive fight sequences and a distinguished filmmaking acumen that can only be the result of a devoted group of passionate aficionados investing countless hours to studying and honing their craft – into a cohesive cinematic package in which nothing feels derivative or out of place; you very well may see something you've never seen before in this film.

Each of Death Grip's key players – Eric Jacobus, Nathan Hoskins, Rebecca Ahn, Johnny Yong Bosch, Alvin Hsing, Ray Carbonel and Chelsea Steffensen – fit their roles comfortably, and deliver engaging performances that provide the narrative's fundamental substance. This is, at its core, a character study, and the events of the story are driven as much by the motives of each character as the necessity of indulging action-craving viewers. Death Grip succeeds where so many action films, independent or otherwise, fail: by placing its plot line at the center of its narrative focus and utilizing deftly-constructed action scenes as a device for heightening tension and elevating the stakes presented by the major complications, rather than as the primary spectacle, devoid of emotional gravity, through which characters become clumsy appendages. Everyone who fights does so for a reason, and, consequently, the foray's participants are imbued with a sense of depth and credibility that make it easier for the audience to understand and get behind their actions.

And action is of course the arena in which The Stunt People shine the brightest. Forget the Coin of Judas, the group's familiar brand of incredible martial artistry is what is really on display here. For the uncharacteristically sober tone, a blend of hyper-realistic violence and lavish stylization is employed, carried out with stunning athleticism and an impeccable amount of detail by Jacobus and the rest. Individual action scenes are like microcosmic narratives all their own folded into the larger fabric of the film, with special attributes that lend them novelty and distinction. One fight places Kenny in a darkened room with a blinded enemy, neutralizing the advantage of sight and forcing the combatants to rely on instinct and cunning to prevail; in a later scene, he is pitted against a knife-wielding henchman in what is, without exaggeration, one of the most intricately choreographed and nuanced encounters I've ever witnessed in film. For the grand finale, Jacobus has staged a climactic and devastatingly hard-hitting showdown between out-of-his-league Kenny and enigmatic cult leader Torch (veteran stunt actor Johnny Yong Bosch). All are exceptionally well-shot and executed, astonishing for a crew predominately comprised of DIY filmmakers and stunt performers with limited professional experience. By the conservative ninety minute mark, Death Grip is sure to satisfy the appetites of even the most voracious action fans, with lasting appeal for those grown accustomed to the latest bloated, all-filler offerings from larger, more commercial industries.

Though marketed as an action-thriller, Death Grip is in actuality an experiment designed to test whether a modest band of ambitious young talent is capable of producing, with no backing from professional agencies or studio developers, a cinematic product challenging the best that the corporate world of filmmaking has to offer, and whether such a venture would be received enthusiastically by a viewer base out of touch with what once earned the action genre a respected place among other forms of visual storytelling. The answer to both points is a resounding yes, bristling with fresh creative energy and emphatic as a punch in the teeth. Death Grip is proof-positive of the rewards of vision and hard work, and a glowing testament to the maturity of a team that still has vast potential to improve. A knockout.
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8/10
Very solid tone-shifting action film
opitzc11 June 2013
A caterer has to rescue his older mentally disabled brother from a dangerous cult after he accidentally steals a relic they desire in this film reminiscent of older Hong Kong fare due to it's genre-jumping shifts in tone and badass fight scenes. One of the best aspects of the film is that the lead character envisions the fights before they occur and so you get to see two different versions of the fights with differing styles of combat in each one. It sounds like it could be confusing but its very well done and just means there is more well shot and choreographed action to enjoy. Some great goofy and dark humor is thrown in as well as some horror style gore and tension. Aside from a really short and thrown in romantic subplot there is very little to get in the way of the fast paced story and high quality action. Highly recommended.
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10/10
The Action Kicks Back: The Stunt People continue to impress.
sir-ironphoenix19 July 2012
I found the Stunt People back in 07, and it has been great to see Eric and the crew grow from films like Undercut and Contour to Death Grip. While the aforementioned efforts are great, Death Grip is a jewel for action/martial arts fans. Lots of heart, humor, and above all is the topnotch action choreography. While Death Grip is less campy than some previous efforts by the SP crew, it has moments of drama that are surprisingly real and you can't help but feel the bond between the Zemacus brothers. The supporting cast shines with memorable performances, Alvin Hsing's in particular. Add a healthy dose of a very sinister Johnny Yong Bosch, and you have a multifaceted gem of action kickback called DEATH GRIP. I can't wait to see what comes after this.
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10/10
Realistic and Engaging
joe-342-40566618 July 2012
One of the best to come from The Stunt People thus far! It's inspiring and fun to see a dedicated group of independent filmmakers advance and improve themselves over the years. This latest effort is beautifully photographed and intelligently written, topped off with impressive fight choreography. What is more engaging is the fighting moves the story along and has character - something that is nearly impossible to achieve in current martial art films with meteoric budgets. This filmic art has heart and a conscious eye on the realism of conflict - the social as well as the physical. This is a "Must See" for anyone who's a martial art film buff as well as those who want a good "Non-Formulaic" story.
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8/10
great martial arts action
kevinpleece1 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
i watched the trailer to this movie also read up on the movie description and it looks to have a powerful story-line and plenty of action. johnny young Bosch plays a bad guy as part of an evil satanic cult the knights of Judas it's interesting to say the least the first moment i saw the advert and trailer i just had to buy this. i like johnny young Bosch's movies i have waited a long time for a movie like this a great cast with awesome fight choreography fantastic! fast paced, hard hitting, superb martial arts action! i'm a huge fan of anything associated with Martial arts and this movie is top of my list its not your average type of action movie there's something more unique about this movie a guaranteed action fest for martial arts movie fanatics.
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8/10
A great blend of American grit and Hong Kong dynamics
AJLStunts14 November 2012
From the start the film has a darker tone than the other productions of The Stunt People, and carries through the entire movie. However, their classic sense of humor is not lost in the dramatic overtone of the film, and it still manages to poke fun at itself.

The action is what makes the movie great. It's an amazing blend of eastern and western style choreography with a bigger emphasis in Hong Kong style fights, and the climactic action sequences are well worth the price of the movie. It was not only a good piece of indie film-making, it was also a great action movie with beautifully choreographed fight scenes. A must own for any indie film-maker or action movie fan. Well done!
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8/10
That's the way to do it
snasello-110 April 2013
With so many big budget movies with poor action scenes out there, i wonder what these guys could do with bigger budgets. Death Grip shows what some talented people can do with their passion and application, delivering a really solid movie. I admit i lost a bit of interest in the story during the second part, but i also had some fun throughout the movie, especially with the hilarious toilet scene. And i really took a liking for the inoffensive Mark. Obviously, the most brilliant thing was the fighting, with great speed and use of the environment and with Eric reminding me a bit of Jackie Chan in his furious combinations. Keep it going Stunt People!
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10/10
Death Grip
Nathan-Maul26 July 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Death Grip – A movie about a man name Kenny trying to reconnect with his brother Mark after their mother passed away when they were kids years ago after a tragic house fire. As Kenny and Mark make up for the lost years, they both cater at a museum showing a special artifact – Sacred Coin of Judas - that dates back to the time of Jesus Christ. As Kenny and Mark sleep part of the night away, (Mark sleeping on a set of chairs and Kenny sleeping in the bathroom stall) don't know that the coin is being stolen by an organization who wants to redeem the name of Judas. They both than get mixed up in the middle of it all as Mark is taken hostage and Kenny sets out to save his brother from the hell that the coin has produced.

Death Grip is defiantly the action packed movie for all martial art fans. The fight scenes will keep you at the edge of your seat from start to finish. Eric Jacobus, Johnny Bosch, the Stunt People and the rest of the crew give the fans what they want, that is ACTION with a little fun comedy in the middle. Every move, fight and stunt had been practiced and timed right on the spot. What Hollywood does with wires and CGI, this movie is all natural. No fancy wires, no CGI, everything you see done in this movie is done by the fabulous actors, actresses, stunt people and crew. They bring the blood gushing, face pealing gore that other movies use high tech equipment to produce. The fights are fast, crazy and an adrenalin rush. If you're a martial arts fan, Death Grip is the movie to own. I love martial arts, movies like this is what makes want to learn it myself. I just mimic the moves I see performed right in front of me on the screen. Eric Jacobus and Johnny Young Bosch keep that adrenalin rush going. At every turn a challenge waits to challenged, every fight fought to brink of dying for someone you care about. These two perform it well, Death Grip is everything a fan can ask to see and Death Grip delivers it all.
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