Action movie star andJohn Wick: Chapter 4actorScott Adkinshas criticized the use of CGI in the recent remake ofRoad House. Taking toTwitter/X, Adkins, who has long been known as the action genre’s best kept secret, said that, while he enjoyed the movie and the acting debut of UFC fighter Conor McGregor, he was left unsatisfied by the use of CGI in the fight scenes.
“I really enjoyed Road House. Doug Liman - great job subverting genre & Gyllenhaal in amazing shape, respect! What a debut from @TheNotoriousMMA happy when a movie like this does well as it’s my bread & butter but c’mon, what’s with the CGI fight scenes?! Swayze didn’t need it.”
TheRoad Houseremake used a technique which essentially replaces the actors with pillows, using them to hit or be hit, before splicing the frames together to create one complete sequence. This allows the actors doing the hitting to make contact and throw harder punches, while also giving those being hit something to react to. While the method has been used in various productions before, including in action movies in Hong Kong and elsewhere, this is the first time thatsuch attention has been made of it.
Unfortunately, Adkins is not impressed with how the approach has been utilized inRoad House.
“For those impressed with the new Road House fights, let’s not forget that Johnny Nguyen did it back in 2006 on ultra low budget The Rebel. Blew me away when I realised. When used sparingly it can be an incredibly impactful effect.”
Road House
Directed by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) from a screenplay written by Anthony Bagarozzi (The Nice Guys) and Charles Mondry (Doc Savage),Road Houseis a reimagining of the 80s cult classic and follows ex-UFC fighter Dalton (Jake Gyllenhaal), who takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not all it seems.
Road House Review: This Pain Don’t Hurt
Jake Gyllenhaal delivers in a surprisingly good remake that pays homage to the original without getting mired in nostalgia.
The rest of the cast includes UFC champion fighter Conor McGregor, Billy Magnussen (The Many Saints of Newark), Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad), Gbemisola Ikumelo (A League of Their Own), Lukas Gage (Euphoria), Hannah Love Lanier (The Tiny Mighty Club), Travis Van Winkle (You), B.K. Cannon (Why Women Kill), Arturo Castro (The Terminal List), Dominique Columbus (Ray Donovan), Beau Knapp (The Lost Symbol), and Bob Menery (Billions).
Scott Adkins, meanwhile, has plenty of action fare in the pipeline. Following his most prominent role so far inJohn Wick: Chapter 4, Adkins recently starred in the action sequelOne More Shotand the thrillerLights Outwith Frank Grillo. He will soon take aimat Dave Bautista inThe Killer’s Game, team-up withThe Raidstar Iko Uwais in sci-fi sequelSkyline: Warpath, reunite with hisJohn Wick: Chapter 4co-star Marko Zaror inDiablo, and star alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme in theKickboxerfollow-up,Kickboxer: Armaggedon.
