Get ready for a cinematic knockout! The Los Angeles Times takes you inside the intense world of 'The Smashing Machine', a biopic that delivers an unfiltered dose of 1990s mixed martial arts.
Director Benny Safdie aimed to recreate the raw brutality of MMA pioneer Mark Kerr's career, played by Dwayne Johnson in a stunning transformation. The film's fight scenes are not for the faint of heart, and the director's commitment to authenticity is evident.
But here's where it gets controversial—the team went to extreme lengths to capture the essence of the sport. Real-life MMA stars, like Ryan Bader, were brought on board to ensure the fights looked and felt genuine. Bader, making his acting debut, reveals a unique challenge: learning to 'fake fight' without losing the intensity.
The camera work adds another layer of immersion. Cinematographer Maceo Bishop explains their unique approach, placing cameras outside the ring to mimic the viewer's experience, whether in the arena or watching at home. This technique blurs the line between reality and cinema, making every punch and kick feel visceral.
And this is the part most people miss—the sound design. The team crafted a unique soundscape, avoiding typical boxing movie cliches. They recorded hours of bare-knuckle strikes on skin and designed a silicone dummy of Johnson's upper body for those bone-chilling knee-to-head impacts. The result? A sonic experience that intensifies the brutality.
Even the director had to get creative, sharing a story about coaching Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk on his ground-and-pound technique. Safdie's attention to detail is remarkable, but was it worth the risk of facing a champion boxer's wrath?
'The Smashing Machine' is a bold cinematic experience that pulls no punches. It's a must-watch for action enthusiasts, but be prepared for a visceral journey into the heart of MMA's early days.
