I've asked this question before, but I'm happy to ask it again. Why Bren Foster Not a big action star yet? Foster is incredibly good when it comes to fast-paced, hyper-realistic action scenes, and he's now ushered in a new phase of his career as an independent filmmaker who understands what fans want to see on screen. Why let someone else direct and make a movie if they can just ruin it? The answer is obvious: do it yourself, put your blood, sweat and tears into it to bring out the best the genre has to offer. Foster took on this challenge (and believe me, he understands) to bring audiences ultra-extreme action that rivals what you'll see in cult films like Raid” or "John Wick“, while offering characters you can empathize with and heartfelt human drama that justifies violence as a last resort. In his directorial debut with “Life After Fighting” the Australian action master has created a top-notch action/drama that gives it its all in every aspect of the film.
I've followed Foster since his early days in “The science of hand-to-hand combat” National Geographic, where he first showed off his amazing skills. With a love for cinema, Foster wanted to not only show on screen what he could do with his body and cool choreography. Having starred in several action films with Steven Seagal, Foster has outshone other actors on more than one occasion in films such as “The maximum period” And "Punitive detachment“. In the latter, he played the lead role and proved that he has what it takes to be a leading action actor. Foster's fight scenes are an almost spiritual experience, filled with ferocity and brutality that is second to none. In the series “The Last Ship” Foster created his most popular character, Scott Wolf Taylor, and over the course of four years he proved that he was no random hero, beating stuntmen to a pulp with extreme fighting moves that also had incredible strength.
FROM "Life After Fighting“ Foster has presented his fans with a true passion project that uniquely combines gritty human drama with action sequences that deliver such impact that the viewer feels every blow. The film also cements Foster as a bona fide action star deserving of recognition.
Foster stars as Alex Faulkner, a martial arts school owner who was once a famous ring champion. After years of grueling battles and surgeries, Faulkner's body betrayed him to the point that in his final fight he actually gave up for reasons known only to him. Years later, he leads a calm and idyllic life, teaching his students everything he knows. Faulkner has regrets, but with his disciples he finds purpose and meaning in life. One day, Samantha (Cassie Howarth) comes to his school to sign up her son Terry for classes. This is where the plot begins to develop: Samantha has a history with her ex-husband Victor (Luke Ford), who is the embodiment of evil and plays an important role in the plot of the film. Victor and Samantha have been divorced for three years, but Victor is not going to let her go and tortures and stalks her every day, using Terry as a tool. This does not stop the romantic relationship between Alex and Samantha from blossoming, which infuriates Victor even more. He sends adult bullies to Alex's school in a pathetic attempt to stop Faulkner from continuing his relationship with Samantha, but each attack ends in failure as Alex easily dispatches each opponent.
The real plot takes place midway through the film, when Alex's cousin Julie (Annabelle Stevenson), who also works at his school, experiences an unthinkable event: her daughter Violet (played by Foster's daughter, Ariel Jean Foster) is kidnapped along with another student right from the school grounds. . What follows is a nightmarish dive into the ruthless and unforgiving world of child trafficking, as Alex leaps into action to find Violet and other girls who have suffered at the hands of society's worst. This is truly ripped from the news headlines and is a topic close to home for Foster, who made this film to bring attention to this terrible issue. This is a difficult topic to be aware of, but it requires our full attention as millions of children disappear every year.
I've been following "Life After Fighting” since its inception, and to finally see the finished product and Foster's debut in filmmaking was a real treat, especially in a year where we've been treated to a plethora of action films that have surpassed the competition. Foster delivered one of the best action films of 2024. The film is a near-perfect combination, offering audiences an emotional and touching drama, then turning everything on its head to become a brutal, savage action film filled with bloody violence that is equal, if not superior, to some of the films we've seen before. we always mention.
I've heard some people complain about the film's length being over two hours, but I never got bored or lost interest as Foster gives us plenty of time to get to know the characters, and when the fists and feet start flying, you'll care about our hero and those whom he is ready to defend to death. Foster also ensures that the villains are disgusting enough that their well-deserved punishment is incredibly satisfying. He plays Faulkner as likable, honest, and someone you'd want to get to know. He gets plenty of time to show off his dramatic chops, and the entire cast rises to the occasion, delivering truthful and meaningful performances.
This is more than your average martial arts film, and Foster does his best to ensure that every aspect of the film is on point. We all know we're in for a thrilling display of action scenes, but that has to count for something, and Foster shows that violence is only used as a last resort when evil comes knocking at the door. There's real emotion, some humor and an equal amount of drama to go along with all the adrenaline-pumping action.
When it comes to action, Foster knows what fans want, and he delivers it in spades, with numerous fight scenes scattered throughout the first two-thirds of the film, culminating in a 40-minute final sequence that is a barrage of insane fight design created by the actor himself and director. Watching Foster in action is like watching brutal ballet, and his moves and the strength behind them are incredible. It's hard to believe that a person can perform extreme fighting techniques with such destructive power, but Foster does it at every turn. He and his elite team of stuntmen put their bodies on the line, to such an extent that it's hard to imagine that no one had to be rushed to the hospital after filming wrapped. I winced several times from each blow, which is hard to imagine considering how many similar films I've seen.
The final scene is a 40-minute assault on the senses as Foster, in full beast mode, becomes a punishing one-man army, standing his ground and fighting everyone to save the day as his karate school turns into a battlefield of unrelenting brutality. It's a non-stop marathon of broken bones, bloody splashes and brutal choreography that is the literal definition of awe and wonder. This is essentially Foster's debut performance as an elite action hero, and he goes all out to pull off every breathtaking move he's known for, including multiple mid-air punches before landing on the ground.
Another aspect of fight staging that Foster excels at is his ability to combine the thrilling acrobatic moves of extreme martial arts with the brutally realistic elements of MMA fighting that look as believable as possible, straight out of the UFC. Spectators receive generous portions of punches, elbows, knees, kicks, as well as holds and painful holds that impress with their cruelty and entertainment. In the final moments of the film, Foster's character, Faulkner, fights an entire army, and saves the best for last - a fight with the main villain of the film, played by Masa Yamaguchi. The final fight between the two is an intense spectacle of masterful techniques that leaves you wondering whether Alex will survive. This is a true masterclass in properly and effectively bringing the best fight scenes to screen with impeccable timing, power and flair.
All in all, Bren Foster is a top-notch martial arts star and now a film director. “Life After Fighting” provides everything a true fight movie fan could want. Foster is completely legit and is in beast mode, turning into a punishing army in the finale, and the action scenes, especially the last 40 minutes, rival what you'd see in cult films like The Raid or John Wick. And that's even more impressive considering Foster probably only had a third of those films' budgets. This goes to show that you don't need huge amounts of money to make a great action movie. All it takes is people who know what they're doing both in front of and behind the camera and have a passion for ferocious art on screen. This is easily one of the best action films of the year. If you love action movies that combine heartfelt emotion and drama mixed with hyper-realistic, unarmed combat chaos, let me introduce you to Life After Fight and Bren Foster, the star and director that action cinema desperately needs.
5 out of 5 stars – a leading contender for the title of best action movie of 2024!
Author: John M. Gerva (Action-Flix)
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Tags: Life After Fighting, Annabelle Stevenson, Ariel Jean Foster, Bren Foster, Cassie Howarth, Luke Ford, Masa Yamaguchi
Tags: Life After Fighting, Annabelle Stevenson, Ariel Jean Foster, Bren Foster, Cassie Howarth, Luke Ford, Masa Yamaguchi
Cool movie! Unexpectedly surprised
The coolest fight movie of 2024, at least!!!