Fight Club review by Orlando C. Fernando October 25, 1999 Storyline: 7 (0=worst, 10=best) Originality: 9 Acting: 8 Special Effects: 4 Overall: C+/B- (F=worst, A=best)

Jack (Edward Norton) is in a unrewarding job working as a auto accident inspector to help decide if certain cars demand recall. Behind the scenes, it's the almighty dollar that determines which found car defects will demand a recall or not. Aye, there lies his misery - working routine 9 to 5 or traveling by plane from city to city to investigate car defects which ultimately he won't have final decisions on. He tries going to different rehabilitation groups like alcoholics anonymous or brain cancer clinics - faking having such problems in order to get love and support from peers. But it has little effect. One flight, he comes across a soap salesman Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) which does more under the surface. He is owner of "Fight Club", an underground boxing assembly of men who have one on one fist fights to release their personal stress and aggressions. Each spar partner beats the other to pretty much a bloody pulp until one of them declares "stop" or slaps his hand on the floor to end the tangle. Initially, you tend to see the men's plights and perhaps even cheer the fights at Fight Club. However, Fight Club becomes nationwide; the rules and one's attitude toward death and society start changing.

M y reaction, keeping this review clean, is that it is one...screwed-up movie! Not in terms of plot development, acting, and dialogue, but in terms of shock value and graphic images. Low class, entry level professions in society seem suicidal - as if there is no hope for a restaurant worker, bus driver, or trash collector to make something better of oneself. In addition, there were many visuals, let's say, that I could have done without. Tyler and Jack eventually live together in a run-down apartment, bringing up literally many artifacts that I care not to ever see again. The previews do not paint a clear picture at all. You probably expect an action/martial arts movie or an underdog fighter movie (like "Rocky"). It's more of a suspense/thriller with a bit of black comedy. It makes "Pulp Fiction" look rosy by comparison.

B rad Pitt continues in his movie roles of playing off-the-wall aggressive leaders (remember "12 Monkeys"?). There's no doubt that he was born for this role and does not fail to disappoint. Meatloaf, although playing a depressed testicular cancer patient seeking counseling, is prime comic relief working off of Edward's character.

T he plot takes many bizarre twists and turns and you don't view the characters the same as in the beginning of the movie. There is never a dull nor predictable moment, but not a gentle one either. A movie that I care never to see again, but I would highly recommend for those into dark thriller/comedy. Worth a matinee or perhaps a full admission ticket. It is a brutal graphic fight against fellow men, upper class people, even God. What used to be a Saturday night showdown becomes a way of life. Fight club: how far will you go to fight the higher powers and let out your aggression?

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Copyright 2001 by Orlando C. Fernando. Brad Pitt picture is copyright altocelebs.net. This page is for personal use only. It may be openly distributed for nonprofit in whole or part, but authorship must be credited.