No holds barred

There are no holds barred in this high-flying, quick-paced, gruesome and gritty action film.

When I saw the choreography and cinematography during the action sequences in Ong Bak, I never thought that it could be topped ... ladies and gentlemen, I was wrong! Introducing the most spectacularly choreographed action film I have seen to date, Undisputed III has everything you could want from a movie about the shady world of prison fighting. The action is vicious and bloody, but it's also beautifully choreographed, skillfully executed and exciting to watch. Adkins' fighting movements were amazingly exacting and swift, with many of his strikes coming from unique angles, often while airborne.

I feel it's appropriate to mention I have not seen the other two films, but that is what made this installment so special. During this movie I never felt out of my depth in a plot that I didn't fully understand because everything is so straightforward. That is not to say that it is boring or simple, far from it, there are some shocking twists and revelations but the beauty is that you don't need to have seen the other installments to appreciate this movie for what it is.

To set the scene, the main character, a Russian prison inmate called Boyka is left severely hobbled by a knee injury he suffered at the end of the last film. He is no longer the feared prison fighter he once was, in fact he has fallen so far down the pecking order that he now cleans the prison toilets. It's clear that he feels sorry for himself but underneath the self-loathing and frustration is the heart of a warrior.

So when Boyka hears about an upcoming international prison-fighting tournament (with the prisoner's freedom and a fat wad of cash as the prize), he sets his mind on wining it. This is no easy task considering he must face some of the world's most dangerous fighters including Turbo, a wise-cracking, fight- loving, obnoxious American who enjoys nothing more than pressing Boyka's buttons.

Their budding friendship is the heart of the film and exposes the human side of both fighters. One scene in particular really stood out for me. After a brief scuffle they are locked in solitary confinement and have only each other to talk to, the scene is beautifully acted, very powerful and really showcases Adkins' dramatic range.

Unfortunately for Boyka and Turbo, the tournament is rigged. All the fighters (except for the warden's pet) are restricted to one hour a day of training, while being fed miniscule amounts of disgusting food in between doing hours of back-breaking hard labour. As the film goes on, the audience is lead on a journey of deception, betrayal, pain and ultimately, you guessed it, redemption!

Even with the fantastic fight sequences and the odd moment of dramatic acting, I know this film won't win any Oscars. I know that women will only enjoy the movie during the moments where Adkins is topless and I know that it certainly won't break any box-office records. But for me, this is one of the outstanding films of the year ... if you're into mixed martial arts and an unpredictable ending, why not give this one a go!

Showing in Cineco, Seef I and Saar Cineplex