ironhorse_iv
On February 16th, 2010, an event of epic proportions, happen on an AC Transit City Bus in Oakland, CA, in which a 67 year old white man, Thomas Bruso AKA 'Epic Beard Man' had a heated argument with a younger black man, identified only as Michael. Fueled by racial ignorance, the two exchange verbal jabs at each other, until Michael cause a violent physical confrontation with the Vietnam Veteran. Without spoiling the viral video shot by Iyanna Washington, too much, you can tell with the amount of blood on Michael's busted lip, who won. From this encounter came a Youtube video recording amassed over 1 million views and spawned a series of threads on web sites; which in return, came many of parodies videos, documentaries and internet memes. Yet, the most famous of those creative media, to be made about the subject, had to be, this movie directed by Craig Moss. However, the film is very loosely based on the viral video. First off, instead of focusing on who Thomas Bruso AKA Tom Slick, is; the film chose to create a new fictional character named Frank Vega (Danny Trejo). Also, as an alternative, the character's personality is also change. Seeing how, the original 'Epic Beard Man', was somewhat of a crazy old white bigot; the filmmakers made Frank, into a somewhat normal non-racist Hispanic. I guess, they didn't want to make a movie about a man who infamous for being belligerence, and mentally disturbed to both the community and the police. In this version, he more beloved; by the law and those who live near him, for his Good Samaritan morals. Because of this, the character is a little more likable. The movie also change the settlings, how that bus event happen. Instead, of taking place in Oakland, the film has it settle in Los Angeles to save money. In this version, two skinheads cause the conflict, when they bother an elderly black man. While, I don't believe in any of the white supremacy group's belief and approve of their actions. I do have to defend them, somewhat, as the elderly guy was indeed taking two seats for himself. That's pretty selfish, when you think about it. Anyways, this event looks like it could kick off the main plot, but it doesn't. None of the beginning bus events has anything to do, with the main story, they were going for. Written by Elliot Tishman, the film instead, has a generic light 'Death Wish' like revenge plot, in which the character seeking payback when his best friend, Klondike Washington (Harrison Page) is murdered and the police show little interest in solving the crime. Without spoiling the movie, too much, while the majority of the plot is pretty bland & predictable. They really miss out on the political thriller part of the story with Ron Perlman as Mayor Williams. I was really hoping for a Perlman Vs Danny Trejo showdown. Very disappointed with that. Instead, the movie has Vega faced off, with Charles S. Dutton as a criminal kingdom named Panther in a very slow-fist fight. While, the small budget was very noticeable in the beginning actions of the film with the basketball 'air ball' scene. The film did get a little better, toward the end, with the intense bus chase scene, even if the garage explode before it, was a bit weak with the fake looking CGI flames. It really did make up for the awkwardly badly done close-quarters fighting. The movie does have some uber-violent moments, with people getting their hand cut off, but the gore is limited, only to that scene. The movie also has some female nudity, but it's never, too distracting from the main plot. If anything, somewhat slows the movie down. It's the scenes where Frank Vega is trying to get with his neighbor, Amber Lamps (Joyful Drake). I know, it's there for character development, but it really wasn't really needed, since the film, already establish, how well of a person, Frank Vega is, in the beginning. Plus, the May to December Romance was a little force. However, the worst thing about this movie has to be the awkward use of profanity. Personally, I have no problem with cursing, but it doesn't flown well with the sentences, these characters are trying to put out. Most of them, felt a little out of place. Yet, I did like how the lines "I need an ambulance!" and "You're leaking" are a reference to the original Youtube video this movie is based on. It's nice to see that. Also, the humor in the film, was somewhat funny. I like how Vega doesn't know, what a flash drive is. Overall: I have to say, this film is a guilty pleasure of mine. It's not great, but it's clearly not the worst. Worth watching if you turn off, your brain.
igotmunsoned627
This movie started out with all the potential in the world. Based on "actual" events, that they deemed they had to change the race of the individuals involved. Anyway I got over that, as I'm use to Hollywood "facts" and this movie seemed to be heading in the right direction. That all changed when the British sounding guy broke into Vega's house, tried to use typical cheesy Hollywood comedy in the middle of a drama, had the upper hand in the fight, but somehow Frank got the upper hand. I'm not saying that isn't possible, what I'm saying is impossible is somehow Frank picked this fatty up and threw him through the window... yeah right. Up until that point this movie was a solid 8, that knocked it down to a 7, still salvageable Hollywood, I know you won't mess this movie up like you have so many in the past (eye roll). Oh wait the bus chase, you already did that with Speed and it sucked (5 now, 2 point deduction for reusing an idea especially since it sucked while at the same time using your crappy cheesy comedy again). Then the ending was completely jacked, I don't know how to end a movie after so many shitty cheesy scenes, but obviously neither do you. This movie is a 4, watch it only if it's free and you don't have anything better to do, like tilling a garden or something.
Coventry
Being European - and a very irregular YouTube user atop – I had never heard about or ran across the famous AC Transit Bus incident this entire movie is based on. So apparently some noble and righteous citizen stood up and defended a fellow human being from getting harassed and intimidated on a public bus line. The whole thing was filmed by spectators, the video ended up on the Internet and the nicknamed epic beard guy instantly became a local hero and – thanks to modern media and rapid data exchange – gained his international fifteen minutes of fame. Good for him and, once again, my deepest sympathy and respect for this person. Of course, Hollywood wouldn't be Hollywood if they didn't borrow this small and banal fait-divers and exploit it tremendously. The facts are altered (specifically the ethnicity of the persons involved became more appealing to a wider audience) and the epically bearded protagonist subsequently becomes a fictional one-man vigilante squad battling criminal ghetto gangs and uncovering the dirty affairs of corrupt politicians. And let's not forget he finds true love and happiness for himself throughout the process. I may seemingly write all this is a rather ironic and downgrading style, but honestly I don't have anything against this type of cinema – on the contrary, in fact – because "Bad Ass" never once raised the impression of being anything more than an unpretentious and tongue-in-cheek popcorn action flick with exciting fight-sequences and charismatic players. For a moment, I even got catapulted back in time to the late 70's and early 80's, as the plot of a former Vietnam veteran running amok and balancing on the edge of the law in his hometown is vintage exploitation/grindhouse material. If you like this sort of story lines, I would certainly recommend to seek out the golden oldies in the genre, like "The Exterminator", "Rolling Thunder", "Eye of the Tiger" and many more. The idea to cast Danny Trejo as the anti-hero is downright genius, as he naturally looks like a crazy bum you don't want to mess with, and with an extra bewildered beard and sloppy clothes he truly does fit the titular description. There are a couple of interesting supportive characters as well, most notably the underrated Charles S. Dutton and the always-entertaining Ron Perlman as a naughty mayor. Apparently, and again in good old-fashioned Hollywood tradition, a probably redundant sequel is already on its way.
