User Reviews

Now onto a review that isn't done by someone associated with the making of this film.

There have been many video game movies in the past, which most of the time fail to capture the spirit of the games. A great example would be the Double Dragon film released in 1994. While the double dragons game had a decent enough revenge story, and focused mostly on spin kicks and beating people up. The creators of the Double Dragon film must of felt that they were not talented enough to accurately translate this on film, and created a new plot that involved magic tricks, medallions, and light show spectacles. What was even more offensive to the films source source was the fact that while in the game they did not rely on magic powers, the characters in the movie did. This is just yet another example of how filmmakers believe they can use a game as a way to sell their own ideas for a movie, rather than being a faithful adaption of its source.

The basis of this movie is River City Ransom. If you are familiar with the game, and chances of you reading this you are, then you know what the game is all about. How it is a classic, and one of the best games ever made. Some could even be considered superior to the Double Dragon games. Like Double Dragon, we are given a decent enough story, and a lot of emphasis on throwing trash cans, me lee weapons, street gangs and beating people up. Before River City Rumble, there has never been any kind of film or animated adaption to my knowledge on this game. Although I always considered the classic film The Warriors (1979) to be somewhat of a spiritual precursor to River City Ransom. As the film also involved unique street gangs, me lee weapons, and beating people up. Like The Warriors, RCR retains a cult status in which it is not as widely known as other games, but those who know it know how incredible it is.

When hearing about River City Rumble originally, I wasn't sure what to think. It seemed like a really good idea, but like many good ideas that can also fail in execution. I decided to hold off on viewing the film to not be disappointed by another video game adaption attempt, but still admired the films existence. One night on an impulse, I decided to order the DVD off XStrike's official website. After waiting patiently, it arrived and I watched.

Now I won't get too in depth with the story, or what happens in the movie, but I will give you an idea of what to expect from it. Now first off, this is a very low budget film. I am very use to these kind of movies, and was well aware of what to expect. It appears to be shot on video, and some of the same actors are reused. This includes one actor playing two characters that have on screen dialog, and a girl that is obviously dressed up as a guy who plays as various gang members. The costumes in the film which even though they only vary by shirt color, are a very accurate representation of the attire worn in the video games.

There are several fight scenes through out this film. This is where I realized I really am watching a true River City Ransom movie. The fighting choreography is a big highlight and captures the spirit of River City Ransom, though it suffers from a few problems. The downside is that some of the moves are obviously not connecting. If you have ever seen a wrestling event live, then you may know what I am talking about. Some fight scenes could of also been improved by better editing. As the film progressed, the fight scenes become better and better, and over just over the top. There are also a fair amount of me lee weapon use in the film, the one fight scene involving a broom is incredible. There are also special moves in this movie, that just have to be seen to believe. Although it has to be accepted this is a comedy, so the effort given was more than enough.

The dialog and acting in the film is very entertaining, but has some hits and misses. Some of it is absolutely hilarious, including the speech by the Generic Dudes leader. There are also many references, scenes, and dialog taken exactly from the game that is done respectively. In fact it follows it so well, that the film occasionally makes fun of its implausibility (in example the scene with Roxy). The acting over all was very fresh coming from a low budget film, and several of the actors are very charismatic in their roles. Although there are a few scenes where you can tell some of the actors are trying really hard not to laugh. There are also some original ideas and cameos I felt were implement well and keeps the pace of the film up.

While if this was not an adaption film, I would of given this movie a 7. Although since it is a faithful adaption of something myself and other hold dear, I rate this a modest 8. If it wasn't for some of the restraints such as budget, more experience, and refinement that the creators faced. This could of potentially been a 9 or 10. This film may also be hard to recommend outside of its obvious target audience, but those who this film will appeal to will love it.

River City Rumble represents how passionate film makers can be of its source, and how that passion fuels the talent of said film makers. It is also the combination of passion, and talent that allows the creators of this movie to triumph over Hollywood budget films to create a faithful adaption, and overall more enjoyable product.

Video game movies have always been hit or miss for me. Sometimes it's just hard to equal the fun of it's source or at least give the film the right feel. This film though is one of the exceptions, to me it's both a solid parody as well as only really good live action video game adaptations I've seen. This is one of the amateur films from the independent company X Strike and I feel this one is one of those strikes.

I love the fact that this film parodies and is loosely based on one of my favorite video games of all time "River City Ransom" this to me was the perfect game to adapt. It has the perfect plot line like any good action film where it's just simple and to the point no bull crap complication, just fight though the gangs to save the girlfriend that's pretty much it. But just like in the game this film isn't concerned so much about plot it's all about the action that we're in it for and it's got plenty of it.

This film of course was made on a low budget but I felt it was used wisely. The music I think is very good I really like the remixed versions of both the "River City Randsom" and "Double Dragon" theme songs.

The two actors playing Alex and Ryan were solid and played off of each other well, this film was pretty much like a buddy cop actioneer. Though I'll admit the guy playing Ryan his performance wasn't perfect as he did hit a few flat notes and seemed he needed to train a bit more as his choreography seemed a bit off. But this is just one of the small quibbles I have as the film gets further it seemed the actor's performance got better so this is forgivable.

But anyway Ryan he's sort of the brainy almost nerdy type whom doesn't get out as all he really wants to do most of the time is stay home and play video games, though with the action he's involved in who needed video games. But still supports his friend when needed.

Alex I really like, the actor I felt showed a lot of energy and charisma so he's got a lot of good lines. He's on the aggressive side, he the kind of guy that acts before he thinks sometimes. And the actor is an actually martial artist and a solid one at that as we see some of his martial arts training.

The action is very good, the pacing is solid and doesn't let up as it's practically almost action throughout the entire film which is how I like it. Chorigraphy is solid though not perfect it can be off in places but it's an amateur film what do you expect. The film is also kinda like a live action Shonen anime as it just fight after fight, I like the gang battles as each of the gangs are unique from their personalities but simply the different colored shirts.

I really like the fight in some dilapidated building with some gang armed with weapons. Alex then disarms one and uses the bo staff and it was great seeing him use that bo, the actor has trained with that weapon and he uses it well.

But I like the fights with the bosses the most which stand out for me and are also kinda funny. My favorite boss fight is no doubt at the end against the evil fake versions of Billy and Jimmy Lee and it's one of the longest in the film but it's great as we hear that theme song and the battle is going on looking like it could go either way.

The comedy is solid I really how the film homages and even parodies on some of the clichés in not just the original game but in most other video games. One of the things that are funny is the café both always go to which is simply just a table in a random spot and the exact same generic waitress serving them. Alex of course points out to Ryan that the waitress he's crushing on looks and acts the same as the last one, how right he is. Seeing Alex conjure up and use the stone fist power up from the game. And of course how each gang they beat up and win against barfs out pocket change. There is also some visual and verbal references to films, anime, video games in some dialog like "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2" though my favorite one was "Transformers the Movie" that cracked me up and any others you'll probably recognize.

Though this film isn't perfect, some of the verbal humor doesn't work. It could also be some of the delivery of the jokes came flat. But same can be said about most comedies out there, it's always going to be hit or miss and it's the hits that count the most. The other problem was the ending, it was a bit unsatisfying it just felt like something more needed to be there. But those two things are little quibbles I can easily get past.

Like any good video game this is a film worth a try. "River City Rumble" packs a punch.

Rating: 3 and a half stars

Thanks to these talented individuals, there are finally video game movies that are just perfect! I have seen so many video game movies done "hollywood style" and they do not live up to the video games they are based on. All those "famous" movies are terrible for your vision. These people who have surrendered free time they have made something extremely brilliant and not with a big fancy million dollar budget. It also looks good too. They keep it real to the game they based it on which was River City Ransom for the Nintendo Entertainment System. This movie is so funny and here is the best part. It actually stays true to the game. They make fun of so many mistakes the game designers made and put in their own humor into the movie. I mean look at it this way. I do not think anyone out there could do a better job and thats coming from a fan who is proud of the work X-Strike is doing. If you want my opinion here it is. Buy the movies! They are worth every penny out of your pocket and I feel that they delivered it all really well for what they had for props and to go on. This movie gets a 100 out of 100 because it is perfect.

For fans of classic NES games, low budget movies, and low budget movies about classic NES games, it doesn't get much better than this! Based on River City Ransom for the Nintendo Entertainment System, River City Rumble is chock full of fast jokes, insider references and half ass fighting. The portrayals of Alex an Ryan, while not what I was expecting, were still highly entertaining. The reusable and disposable gang members were great, as well as staying true to the actual game. Hell, they even included Merlin! I would recommend it to anyone with a sense of humor and a love for one of the best games of all time. The acting is above what you'd expect from an amateur production and the music is above par as well. In this day and age of horrible Hollywood crap, you could do a lot worse than River City Rumble.