Why Most Pro Wrestling Movies S**k
In our last blog, we took a look at the Top Ten pro wrestling movies of all time. Coming up with a tenth film was a stretch and so we punted.
Keep in mind that the list consisted of narrative films, not documentaries. There are a slew of great documentaries out there about the business. The majority of the documentaries are great, and some are just embarrassing.
Most of the narrative films fall into just embarrassing category because they are made by filmmakers who have a cursory understanding of the business and most films were made to capitalize on the lead actors popularity at the time. Nice try, but no Oscar.
Documentaries are great because the filmmakers get to know the business. They have a healthy respect for their subjects while narrative filmmakers do not. Most are not grounded in the slightest shred of reality. And even worse, they don't respect the talent and disrespect the fans.
People will say, but what about John Cena? What about The Rock? Remember, we're talking pro wrestling stories here. We've seen other wrestlers in non-professional wrestling movies, and let's just say it's not pretty.
We have a healthy respect for actors, but most pro wrestlers can cut a promo, but sustaining a character throughout a two hour movie, not so much. At least not the ones we've seen. That being said, our hat is off to RJ Skinner, aka RJ City. As an actor, you do the best with what you've been given. He did the best he could and there's definitely some star power there. Let's hope that its realized sooner rather than later.
This is not an indictment of the actors. Actors have to eat. We can't begrudge them. They have to make money to live. It is however a reflection of Hollywood's attitude about sports entertainment and everyone involved. Wrestlers are not losers and neither are the fans.
And then there's a shining spot in all the mediocre goo. Something so cinematic. Something to look up to. And that's Lucha Underground.
Filmmakers who tell pro wrestling stories need to respect the sport like Lucha Underground. The cinematic value, the camera work... something that's riveting from beginning to end.
We have yet to see really engaging stories about this "sport". With any luck, that will change sooner rather than later.
