Marko Zaror

[Drunk Monk]

Mirage Man

Another by the 'latin dragon' Marko Zaror. I thought I reviewed Kiltro here, but it's not coming up on my search either via engine or review. I wasn't overly impressed by Kiltro.

MM however is very amusing. It's sort of a sleeper flick, a spoof on the superhero meme. Zaror is a big dude, the stunt double for the Rock in the Rundown. His choreography is a bit Chuck Norris (come at me one at a time while I roundhouse you to the head) with occasional surprising Tony Jaa tricker kicks. He plays a meathead in MM, a bouncer who dons a mask to be a vigilante, but it's well executed and actualized. I was surprised how entertaining it was, even though quite predictable. It echoed a lot of Tarantino sensibilities, so there was this recursvie quality to it. Tarantino created A grade films by ripping off B-films. Now a B film uses QT devices like chapter titles and animation (well drawings actually).

Not quite up to DOOM quality because its not shocking, but if you want to see the new great white (or non-Asian) martial arts hope, check this one out.

[Drunk Monk]

Another from Marko, who I'm really starting to enjoy.

This one, like the first one, Kiltro, shows more local Chilean color, which is intrinsically interesting (cars down there still use cassette tapes? Really?) Like MM, it's got a QT style, although this one is an homage to post-James Bond flicks, like Our Man Flint. Again, it's got that small indie-flick vibe, rather self-absorbed at points, especially the karaoke flirting, but its engaging if you're not expecting too much. There's some funny bits - what I like most about Zaror is that he doesn't take himself very seriously - and some great homages to the genre. In that way, he speaks to the kung fu spy nerd in all of us. And he's got the moves. His choreography is clean, not very realistic but exciting to watch. He's got great kicks and can bust a double barrel-roll flying kick (wire-assisted for sure, but still admirable).

[Drunk Monk]

Trippy to think I was fawning over Marko a few years ago and now I have his private digits to hit him up if I'm ever in town.