Boyka is actually the first film of Scott Adkins I watched. That was how I got to know about the actor. Just like how many people refer to Arnold Schwarzenegger as Commando when they see him in a movie or Sylvester Stallone as Rambo is the same way I personally refer to Scott Adkins as Boyka when I see him in any movies. Boyka (Undisputed) is a film with a pure display of martial art at its peak being played out in the fighting ring.
Aside from every other regular action movie, Boyka really qualifies as a masterclass in fight choreography and character progression. The film did an exceptional job on its exceptional fight sequences. This is where the movie truly shines, raising the bar for practical martial arts on screen. I don't think Scott Adkins would have been any better for the role seeing he is actually a legitimate and highly skilled martial artist in his own right, it's no wonder he manages to deliver performances that are nothing less than breathtaking. I just couldn't get enough of the action packed in the movie.
The fights are very raw. It's more of fists and less of firearms. What sets this film apart is the commitment to showcasing the martial arts. Instead of relying on quick cuts, or excessive CGI, director Todor Chapkanov and fight choreographer Tim Man really went all in letting the camera linger, capturing every devastating kick and every fast moving punch. Boyka's signature blend of Capoeira-inspired acrobatics, powerful Muay Thai strikes, and ruthless ground and pound techniques are on full display, making each confrontation quite something else. Right from the brutality of the opening fight to the clash against the behemoth Koshmar, every encounter is just a truckload of violence.
Beyond the astounding action, the film delves deeper into the character development of Yuri Boyka. This is arguably the most compelling aspect of the entire Undisputed series. Introduced in Undisputed 2 as an arrogant, merciless, and religiously zealous antagonist, Boyka's journey has been one of continuous evolution. In "Boyka: Undisputed," his quest for redemption takes its course. After accidentally killing an opponent in the ring, Boyka finds himself consumed with guilt and a desire to take full responsibility for his action.
He embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue the deceased fighter's wife, Alma, played by Teodora Duhovnikova, from the hands of a ruthless Russian mob boss, Zorab, played by Alon Aboutboul. This pursuit of justice, now driven by a moral compass, ends up adding emotional weight to his fights. We see Adkins not just as a fighting machine, but as a man struggling with his past and striving for something more meaningful than mere victory.
The plot, while intending to serve as a means for the action, is surprisingly engaging and delivers more than that. It moves beyond the confines of the prison setting which was the concept that was used in the previous two films, offering us new environments and challenges this time around. Boyka's journey through underground fight rings, facing bloodthirsty opponents to pay off Alma's debt, provides a pretty clear narrative drive. The supporting cast, including Martyn Ford as the monstrous Koshmar, deliver strong performances as well, only making the movie more interesting.
I find Boyka to be more than just a sequel. It's more like an approach in letting the viewers in on what a martial arts film can achieve. It is a movie that exceeds expectations within its genre, delivering not just thrills, but also a memorable character journey that resonates even after the end of the movie. I give the film a rating of 8.5/10.
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