Fighting games have been around since the dawn of the video game era. With the first video game adaptations, many of the earlier arcade brawls made it to the big screen as well. Today, Dead or Alive is one of the more prominent examples on TV. Similar to the template used here only marginally more than hand-to-hand action and skimpy bikinis.
In TV: Action adaptation Dead or Alive deliberately keeps the story razor-thin
And as in the game series is here the so-called Dead or Alive tournament setting of various disputes. Wrestler Tina (Jaime Pressly), ninja princess Kasumi (Devon Aoki) and master thief Christie (Holly Valance) all have their own reasons for fighting for the $10 million prize. But sneaky promoter Donovan (Eric Roberts) also has a sinister plan.
Dramaturgically, Dead or Alive is not much more than a series of fights and shamelessly intimate camera angles on the buttocks and breasts of the female characters. While the latter was already outdated in 2006, video game fans might enjoy the former. After all, the plot of the original is retold in a refreshingly honest way, little value is placed on storylines that are forced into the film.
When is Dead or Alive on TV?
Dead or Alive is running this Friday, February 10, 2023, at 8:15 p.m. on Tele 5. It was directed by Hong Kong veteran Corey Yuen, whose masterful martial arts staging unfortunately often gets in the way of the film’s editing.
The 10 biggest streaming films of 2023 on Netflix, Amazon & Co.
In this installment of our Moviepilot podcast, Stream Browsing, we take a look at the big movies coming exclusively to Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ and Apple TV+ this year. The result is a list of ten special recommendations.
At this point you will find external content that complements the article. You can show it and hide it again with one click.
From the sci-fi epic to the potential Oscar nominee, everything is included. The talents gathered are particularly impressive. In 2023 we can expect new movies from Martin Scorsese, David Fincher and Zack Snyder in the streaming space, while Gal Gadot, Leonardo DiCaprio, Henry Cavill and Chris Hemsworth will be in front of the camera.
*. . .