Arena is set on a huge space station where an intergalactic sports event known as Arena takes place, all shapes & sizes of alien creatures gather to go head-to-head in the arena where the aim is to simply beat your opponent in a test of strength, skill & stamina. There hasn't been a human champion for 50 years but professional fighter Steve Armstrong (Paul Satterfield) feels he has what it takes, when he beats up one of sexy fight promoter Quinn's (Claudia Christian) prize fighters he gets his opportunity in the arena. Coached by his buddy Shorty (Hamilton Camp) & guided by Quinn Armstrong is a revelation & quickly become the No. 1 contender for the title of champion which a nasty alien creature named Horn (Michael Deak) currently retains. However evil promoter Rogor (Marc Alaimo) fears that his man may lose & decides to use dishonest methods to fix the fight, but will Armstrong's spirit & determination see him through...
This Italian American co-production was directed by Peter Manoogian & was better than I had expected. The script by Danny Bilson & Paul De Meo which takes itself pretty seriously is basically an underdog tale, someone overcoming the odds & succeeding & in that respect it's all too obvious what's going to happen & how things are going to turn out. I suppose you could describe Arena as an intergalactic version of Rocky (1976) & in that sense it is quite successful. The character's are decent & the comic relief isn't too annoying & the dialogue is OK. The film moves along at a nice pace & is never that dull although I thought it could have done with a few more fights because as it stands there is only three which isn't really enough. Arena provides fair entertainment, it plays quite well & overall I liked it.
Director Manoogian does an OK job, there isn't much style to it but it looks alright. I was impressed by the aliens, there are loads of them & while some of the make-up/masks look a bit rubbery/spray-painted they show imagination & effort, I especially liked the huge Sloth creature who looks like a cross between a lizard, a slug & grasshopper if you can even begin to imagine that! Horn looked quite good as well especially his facial movements. The violence is very tame & the fights aren't that great which is the biggest disappointment about Arena really.
Produced by Empire pictures (maybe better know for it's horror output) & shot in Italy Arena is quite well made although I doubt it had a massive budget. The special effects vary, none are outstanding but you feel the filmmakers did the best with what they had. The acting was OK although Satterfield makes for a somewhat dull hero, Christian looked pretty sexy.
Arena was a decent film in my opinion & better than I was expecting, it certainly isn't a masterpiece but provides simple & undemanding entertainment. Could have been better but could have been worse, just about worth a watch if you can find a copy going (very) cheap.
This Italian American co-production was directed by Peter Manoogian & was better than I had expected. The script by Danny Bilson & Paul De Meo which takes itself pretty seriously is basically an underdog tale, someone overcoming the odds & succeeding & in that respect it's all too obvious what's going to happen & how things are going to turn out. I suppose you could describe Arena as an intergalactic version of Rocky (1976) & in that sense it is quite successful. The character's are decent & the comic relief isn't too annoying & the dialogue is OK. The film moves along at a nice pace & is never that dull although I thought it could have done with a few more fights because as it stands there is only three which isn't really enough. Arena provides fair entertainment, it plays quite well & overall I liked it.
Director Manoogian does an OK job, there isn't much style to it but it looks alright. I was impressed by the aliens, there are loads of them & while some of the make-up/masks look a bit rubbery/spray-painted they show imagination & effort, I especially liked the huge Sloth creature who looks like a cross between a lizard, a slug & grasshopper if you can even begin to imagine that! Horn looked quite good as well especially his facial movements. The violence is very tame & the fights aren't that great which is the biggest disappointment about Arena really.
Produced by Empire pictures (maybe better know for it's horror output) & shot in Italy Arena is quite well made although I doubt it had a massive budget. The special effects vary, none are outstanding but you feel the filmmakers did the best with what they had. The acting was OK although Satterfield makes for a somewhat dull hero, Christian looked pretty sexy.
Arena was a decent film in my opinion & better than I was expecting, it certainly isn't a masterpiece but provides simple & undemanding entertainment. Could have been better but could have been worse, just about worth a watch if you can find a copy going (very) cheap.