The Iron Claw 2023/2024 by
AverageMansReviews
Review Time
Warning: there are flashing effects/colourful
effects/drugs/references to the Soviet Union and suicide/suicide/bodily
functions/amputation/medical
Most of Von Erichs
could out wrestle anyone, but they couldn't out wrestle their curse: basically I will centralise this so I can put
in over names; this film focuses on Kevin Von Erich [Younger: Grady
Wilson/Older: Zac Efron:] the second son; a very talented wrestler, on some
research he actually made it to the WWF/WWE in 1991 for 16 months. David Von
Erich [Younger: Valentine Newcomer/Older: Harris Dickinson:] the third son;
likewise a very talented wrestler and talented on the mic as well; he made it
to All Japan Pro Wrestling, but sadly never got to wrestle there. Kerry Von
Erich/The Texas Tornado [Jeremy Allen White:] a wrestler that was built in to
be a superstar, even before this word became a phrasing, yes he made it to the
WWF/WWE under the gimmick The Texas Tornado 1990-1992; he is the
father of Lacy von Eric [which she had a year with the original Total Nonstop
Action Wrestling 2009-2010.] But I digress; at least these three brothers at
one time got to hold the WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship as a family
unit. Mike Von Erich [Stanley Simons:] he is the fifth son; yes he is a
wrestler, but it would be safe to say he was more into his music as a musician.
Lance Von Erich [Maxwell Jacob Friedman:] on some research I need to make this
crystal clear he is not part of the Von Erich dynasties; even though looking
under his championships and accomplishments; he has won WCWA World Six-Man Tag
Team Championship twice with different combinations of the Von Erich family;
once with Kevin & Kerry and then once with Kevin & Mike. Then we come
to over names in wrestling; The Sheik [Chavo Guerrero Jr.,] Gino Hernandez
[Ryan Nemeth,] Ric Flair [Aaron Dean Eisenberg] and others, but we are here to
experience the Von Erich family at this point in history and beyond our story
begins in 1979.
Generally speaking: the framework and pacing of this 132 minutes
film is a bit slower to begin with, but it does get better the more you watch
of this film, they could have really put in the year consistently, the only
reason I know some of this by years is because I was alive or just to cover my
back I may have seen the pay-per-view in question at some point or I could
always be a slight bit wrong.
Action and the art; anything to do
with the training or/and wrestling is how a wrestling film should be shown, the
wardrobe and set designs and all that; transport its audience into that
timeframe.
Character developments and
performances; on both counts of what I know of this family which is the very
basics; these film interpretations represent them mostly spot on with not one
but two outshining performances which I will discuss later on. But however
there is one interpretation I will not tolerate and that is Aaron Dean
Eisenberg as Ric Flair; okay, okay this may be a small role in the grand scheme
of things, but the problem is; because it is Ric Flair a big role, because of
who he is young, middle-aged or older, it doesn't matter; Ric Flair is Ric
Flair and for those people outside of the wrestling bubble this basically means
it comes with a certain swagger, attitude and in his mind the Sun revolves
around him, there was no one bigger than him and it don't matter of if he is a
good guy, in between or a bad guy [in wrestling terminology: Babyface or Teener
or a Heel] he always had the IT factor and if it should happen you think I am
being unreasonable, because there is only one Ric Flair, because of this point;
I would have been happy with just a good interpretation, so I will already
being reasonable, but let's just cut the garbage, this was just a bad representation
of Ric Flair to the point where I am surprised that this hadn't been nominated
Razzie Award, in hindsight it is a good thing that the positives which I will
be bringing up counterbalance this. But let's be positive I would like to think
base of this performance Zac Efron gets more in-depth roles as he comes of age
as in yes he can do comedies and he looks be having fun doing them types of
projects which is cool, but it is clear now he can offer so much more than just
that and hopefully we get to see more of Jeremy Allen White; I don't know
anything about him, nope I just had a brief look into him and I still don't
know too much about him, but you should be able to get more work off the back
of this performance that is sure.
This film receives: 7/10, this film is good; if you are
interested in wrestling it is well worth a watch and even if you are not into
wrestling, it would be educational for you, in particular the people that think
this is fake and yes this annoying question does get brought up in this film as
well and finally there are some pictures and bits and pieces at the ending
credits stage. This film has got some awards accredited to its name. Such as 3
Winners from the same award ceremony/event National Board of Review, USA 2023
NBR Awards Best Ensemble & Top Films and then Utah Film Critics Association
Awards 2024 UFCA Award It'sBest Ensemble Cast. 37 Nominees which includes St.
Louis Film Critics Association, US 2023 SLFCA Award Best Stunts Chavo Guerrero
Jr. and then from the same award ceremony/event VHS Awards 2023 VHS
Awards Best Actor Zac Efron 3rd place & Best Supporting Actor Jeremy Allen
White
