XMA: Xtreme Martial Arts (2003 TV Movie) User Reviews

very inspiring documentary

[schnitzelboy · 7/10 · 21 July 2005]

This is one of the first well made documentaries I have seen that really explains the science behind the martial arts. CGI work is done by the same animators responsible for the natives, and we are shown what happens to the muscles and bones of the fighters during combat. Very well made fight scenes demonstrate most medieval weapons made, and are at least as entertaining as any Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon fight. Interspersed throughout the whole thing, is the story of Mullins, a five time martial arts world champion who is coming out of retirement to compete once again. A very fascinating look at the secret world of martial arts. I would definitely recommend this to anyone with any interest in the field.

Ridiculously poor!

[mt1093 · 1/10 · 4 June 2006]

This production borders on the ridiculous. It is over-blown, full of itself and little more than product placement for the XMA brand. Its focus on point fighting as "extreme" is laughable; be prepared for hyperbole and exaggeration at the highest level about how "lethal" and "demanding" point fighting is. The program does nothing to inform the viewer about realistic fighting techniques such as Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, jujitsu, etc. There's no actual science here, just a thinly disguised commercial. A true dis-service to martial artists everywhere. The only redeeming factor is the somewhat interesting 3-d visuals sprinkled throughout. Buyer beware.

a truly amazing documentary, made by truly amazing people

[oli_rawlings · 10/10 · 15 September 2005]

This documentary is one of very few good documentaries on the martial arts. This documentary is mainly about the science behind the martial arts, the body mechanics, your physiological structure etc. XMA uses advanced CGI special effects to show us whats happening inside your body. What happens to your bones and muscles when fighting, breaking or performing demonstrations? XMA gives you all the answers. Fight scenes are very well choreographed, and individual demonstrations even better. Alongside the science is the story of an ex-martial arts champion Matt Mullins, a 5 time martial arts world champion who is coming out of a 2 year retirement to compete once again, with his world renowned trainer and good friend Mike Chat (7 time world martial arts champion). And as a third treat a little history on the way too!!

I recommend this documentary to any martial arts lover or student (like myself), mainly because what you see is real, all the kicks and flips are no illusion, its all real and truly breath-taking. When you see it you'll know why I give it 10/10.

XMA is not martial arts at all, no relationship whatsoever

[ed-1038 · 1/10 · 1 September 2008]

this video was exactly what XMA is: overblown, full of itself and ridiculous. there is nothing here that relates in any way to martial arts. nothing that would apply to defending yourself in violent situation. It should be called "gymnastics with screaming angry cheerleaders" NOT 'extreme martial arts' which it is NOT I think there is more energy and more fitness involved in those cheerleading competitions than this stuff, and really, it's almost exactly the same. Maybe extreme cheerleading?

better watch someone twirling a baton in a marching band than watch this garbage.

A good intro to current trends

[goku_san02 · 8/10 · 6 July 2007]

This is, by no means, a documentary on every fighting style. The focus is on the current state of martial arts tournaments and the growing focus on open/modified forms. The 3-D effects are a nice, general explanation of the workings of some techniques and the scientific angle is interesting, though not as deeply explored as one would be lead to believe. This is not a documentary for those interested in the traditional styles. However, it is an interesting video for those with an interest in the modern, tournament-styled, flashy martial arts. While a little heavy on special effects, this is a nice step in promoting the martial arts without making them seem entirely strict and formal.

Shinyness 8, Documentary/Educational value 1, Entertainment value 1

[glock78 · 2/10 · 15 October 2007]

First of all this should not be called "XMA: Xtreme Martial Arts" but "Matt Mullins returns" or "Matt Mullins doesn't quite cut it" instead.

I was expecting something more in the lines of scientific description of martial arts, techniques involved, strains on the body and maybe even a little bit of history behind it. And when I was given the 7 minute "look what cool gadgets we were using to make these cartoons"-intro followed by another 4 minute "martial arts are for hitting people"-intro I still thought that there might be something interesting in this documentary.

But then they started to talk about Matt. And with him not being Bruce Lee and me not giving a damn about his life and career you can say I was starting to get bored. Add to that the fact that Matt is trying to "act" this documentary in such way that you are constantly trying to place him either in a Power Rangers, Adam West's Batman or a Spanish Soap OperaTM episode you might even say that I was starting to get annoyed.

And when they stopped for a second to talk about Matt (and his young sidekick and student Craig Henningsen) or his teachers (BTW John Sharkey in here looks remarkably like Adolf Hitler – he should really do something about that hair) – we got to watch the tournament where Matt in the end didn't win. And not only did he not win, but some of the video of OTHER competitors in the tournament might be the most interesting part of this documentary.

Matt didn't even come out as on par with some of them – he came out like that guy in martial art movies that gets invited to a super secret underground tournament because they needed someone from his country/division to fill in the spot and who is mostly showing off in front of girls instead of doing real training. At least this time we weren't forced to watch him being killed by the BadGuyTM so TheHeroTM could avenge him.

And in between all those "Look at Matt" and "Look its the Tournament" we would get couple of minutes of choreographic pretend-fight, partially with HD 3D renderings of skinless humans (done by the guys who did the Matrix), partially with real recording of those humans doing the dance. If you were REALLY careful – you could get a point or two of actual information about the technique or weapon used.

After about 40-something minutes of this I've started to fast forward whenever Matt, other martial artists or the narrator (in the best Pablo Francisco doing The Narrator voice) started talking for more then 10 seconds.

There is more fact, educational material, documentary value and entertainment in a Jackie Chan movie. And I am not really big fan of his post Drunken Master II movies.