Mahal Empire's Arena Wars

       Our very first review is for Mahal Empire's ARENA WARS. Release date June 25, 2024

Directed by Brandon Slagle and shot by Michael Su, this futuristic venture is set in 2045 in "The Big Fucking City" as the opening states. The story takes shape fairly quickly as a reality TV Series that is starting to lag in ratings and is in dire need of an audience boost with plenty of "Running Man" and "Hunger Games" vibes. Michael Madsen is great as Sampson, the color commentator alongside smooth voiced, Robert Donavan as Moses. Our protagonist, Luke Bender, played by the ever-charismatic John Wells, is a former Marine paying the price for a superior, played by Eric Roberts. Roberts actually does a pretty good job for literally phoning it in. It's Bender's task to lead a group of lifers through a maze of "seven of the most vicious killers the world has seen." Bender has help from Boggs, played by BJ Mezek, a former inmate that made it through all killers, winning his freedom, and is now a trainer/guard at the prison. 

Robert LaSardo makes another Mahal Empire appearance as Perez, making his way through the killers before he disappears. We never really see if he was killed. Rounding out Bender's team are Professional Boxer Kylie Fulmer as Billie, Johnny Huang (bringing plenty of comedic relief) as Khan, Wesley Cannon as Minty, and Dave Schecter as Carl. The show is produced by “Super Villain” Belladonna played by Kevin Hagar with his crony Gideon, played by Michael Beran. Mercedes Peterson is the stoic Domino and Sheri Davis as the show’s energetic host Holly Daze.

Now, the killers…

Joseph Goratowski superbly designed and built the seven killers played by Allen Woodman (also fight coordinator) as Calypso, Maria Bova as Cutie Pie, Edward Stachyra as Master Blaster, Davi Cartaya as Mister Smiles, Jason Marcos Velez as Counter Strike, Wesley Cannon as Meat Wagon, and Bron Theron as Nero. All who seemed to enjoy their parts.

The end credits feature Madsen's Sampson interviewing inmates and fans, but why not Boggs? For being a low budget indie film and aside from some less than convincing acting, a bit too much of the crowd, and a plot hole here and there; this was a fun film to watch, and we recommend it. Be sure to scan the QR codes on the inmates faces. 

With that, we give it 3 ½ out of 5 potatoes.