Although I’ve seen this type of story in comedic takes on what an actor wants to change up about his life, One Percent Warrior (1%er ワンパーセンター) is very different. Here, filmmaker Yūdai Yamaguchi crafted a concept that lets fans of martial arts films learn about what keeps some fighters going. Tak Sakaguchi is not simply out to relive his glory days.
As Takuma Toshiro, the passion lies in what makes an actor an actor, and a fighter at his prime. No, it’s about how one channels his chi, but it’s in what being a martial arts action star represents. While this talent is making a new movie in an abandoned factory, things get difficult when two gangs interrupt the process! They are in search of hidden loot.
Suddenly, these actors, directors, and production crew have to rely on their skills and good ol’ fashioned cowboy diplomacy in order to survive! Unlike the comedy Die Hart, we’re not supposed to know what is faked or not. When lives are in danger, it’s up to Tak to save the day!
But there’s more to this film than to pay homage to the action films of yesteryear. The realism that’s involved is tailored to dealing with those situations where everyone is worried about getting hurt. Can Toshiro take it? And as for his side-kick, Akira (Shô Aoyagi), I’m curious if this protégé can learn the style of martial art this talent created for himself to sell on the big screen. It’s called Assassination-jitsu, and although he’s doing most of the work, I had to chuckle at how his student is required to stand at the side lines and mostly film it all.
The one aspect I can really dig into is how One Percent Warrior provides a look at the rate (and how) some producers feel about how these wuxia style films are pumped out. It’s chuckle worthy, and as for whether that’s true or not, that’s why Toshiro is out to reinvigorate the genre. Sometimes there’s too much material being pumped out Shaw Brothers style. There’s little thought behind crafting well-meaning narratives versus another spaghetti western.
The best part of this film lies in what choreographer Kensuke Sonomura has crafted. Thankfully, this home video release offers a bonus feature that looks behind the scenes in the making of this film! And like most Jackie Chan films, there’s some witty use of props during a fight; I won’t give away what got used, but it kept me excited once when the action gets dialed up to twelve! While that doesn’t hide this film’s weaker bits, the tonal balance is fairly even where I’d say this work is deserving to remain in my collection for repeat watches when the mood is there.
4 Stars out of 5
One Percent Warrior Movie Trailer
