Kent Moran's "The Challenger" (2015) with Kent Moran, Michael Clarke Duncan, S. Epatha Merkerson, Justin Hartley, Frank Watson, Stan Carp, among others. Independent, low budget drama, winner of several Film Festivals, about a young man looking for his "American Dream" being a boxer, so we will witness his struggle and his inner strength. On his journey he will be accompanied by his adopted African-American mother, something you do not see every day, for Jade is white; And the support of your coach. The film has a classic narrative of the films about this sport, however, the approach is familiar, in the relations of the protagonist with his mother and with his coach, to all rule, the absent father's character, and ultimately, in his Struggle to become a family. Honorable mention for Kent Moran as director, actor, screenwriter, publisher and producer of the film, which at 35 years stands as a great promise in the industry. While the story is predictable, and goes through the commons remembering the saga "ROCKY" and the like, is fairly balanced, is exciting, and has a good rhythm; The direction is very good, with a part of documentary style, the frames are good, the way it was filmed, and the choices made, provide airs of sincerity, which are rarely seen on screen for a debutante director; The choreographies of the fights are well mounted, the edition fulfills well the 95 minutes of footage, which do not make anything heavy, giving it much dynamics, without decaying. The narrative, focusing on the family nucleus, has no romantic history, and it is not necessary, because the struggle is individual, a metaphor for the spectator, to get ahead in the face of adversity; It is not surprising that this struggle is somewhat tarnished by sentimentality and melodrama, but without being cheesy, forced, pathetic or superimposed. Of the cast, Kent Moran has a lot of potential, not only is he charismatic and talented, but comes out well in his records, more knowing of his multifunctionality in the production, and his character is given to want; Michael Clarke Duncan, in his last role before dying of a heart attack, is immense, demonstrating a great interpretive level, where we will witness his "swan song", an actor who had a lot to give; Also highlights S. Epatha Merkerson as the mother, who is the anchor and motive of the film. The antagonist, who is not such, because the real villain is adversity itself, Justin Hartley plays a good role, playing the protagonist's human opponent; Other fun characters, are the employer of the workshop, and the owner of the liquor store, who are friendly. Here "do not fight to lose" is a story of the weakest that outweigh the odds. Attention to the final credits, which are the icing on the cake, with the words of Clarke Duncan for a recording team of no more than 7 people. Kent Moran has a bright future ahead if he continues to perfect his craft, taking more risks, and researching issues in greater detail. A complete achievement, for a remarkable result, and very motivating if you see with an open mind. RECOMMENDED. It will NOT have a note in Lecturas Cinematográficas. http://lecturascinematograficas.blogspot.com/

I noticed Justin Hartley's name in the credits, so the first 5 minutes of the film I thought I was seeing Hartley on the screen. Then when there was more light in the next scene, I thought this actor "can't be" Justin Hartley, and I wondered why does he look so similar?! The film's protagonist is actually Kent Moran, who's several years younger than Hartley and has a similar hair color, hairline, hair style, eye color, face shape, chin cleft, and body type as Justin Hartley. It was like watching Sylvester Stallone fight Frank Stallone in a Rocky movie. Other than the film's main characters looking so similar, the movie was decent. It depicts a black woman who adopted a white son, and that's something you don't see every day.

As a big boxing fan, I find myself more attracted to fight films than I really should be. Please, please leave my favorite sport alone. I'm too much of a loser not to watch. Did he not think to get someone on board who knew something about boxing when he made this (and hired himself as the protagonist). By the way, you are nowhere near 175 pound Light Heavyweight size, you could have made it about a 154 pound fighter and that's still a great division. Why's your opponent sitting in the corner before the fight starts? That doesn't happen. You don't touch gloves then sit in your corner and get a pep talk. You don't get to sit until the end of round 1!Why doesn't your build/ size change when you go from being a non- athlete to a full time boxer? Why did you go from 0 bouts as an amateur straight into the pros? Why was the number 7 spot in the WBC fighting in a bout against a novice from the club circuit? Why do you throw straight arm punches with a really bent arm like a hook? You do know they're different punches right? How is this the fight of the 21st century? It's almost like you really hate boxing so you made a really flawed film to get your own back on the boxing community.

This movie has many more good things than not so good things which I'll mention in a bit but first I can't help but say RIP Mr. Duncan. You were a fantastic actor and will be missed. The challenger was a well written story that could be very motivational if watched with an opened mind. Kent Morgan I am sure will be seen again and hopefully with a little more energy. Now the not so good. The fighting choreography was totally unrealistic but I gave it a pass based on the movie kept my attention the entire time. If only it got more of a budget than there is no doubt in my mind that The challenger would of been huge