★★★☆☆
Paween Purjitpanya’s God Skin is an action fantasy film that leans into tropes and B-movie antics to craft an interesting and fun action film, in the realm of Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat of the ’90s.
God Skin embraces the fun and animated tone of ’90s video game adaptations such as Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, because of the fact they never took themselves overly seriously. Unlike the modern adaptations that are more grounded in their own realities.
Whereas with God Skin, it clearly embraces the tongue-in-cheek nature of B-movie action films, even if it doesn’t necessarily start off that way. Leading to some of the pacing and tonal issues that arise.
Starting off, the film is grounded and very much real. Giving us a guy who lost his job in the tech world, now having to work as a delivery driver to take care of his sick mother. Within minutes of the opening, to little surprise, we get a fight scene.
Although this is where things get hairy. The first fight scene we see, the one that really introduces us to our protagonist, is a street fight that is mostly reflective. He’s not trying to fight, but rather de-escalate the situation.
The key element is that he’s an excellent fighter. Mostly deflecting and defending, he reminds me of old kung fu movies featuring Shaolin monks. The world’s most elite fighters, yet always deflecting and trying not to fight. Defensive, never offensive.
By the midway point of the first act, the film makes a complete 180 after introducing God Skin, a style of tattoo that injects nanobots into the skin instead of ink. Going from grounded and intense, to pulpy animation-style action, which is the first misstep the film takes.
The idea of a futuristic world where there are technological advances that are used for human enhancement isn’t outlandish but could have been done in a more tasteful manner. Embracing the questions and speculation of human advancement with AI and robotic upgrades.
A concept that has been introduced and played with in the film world for decades. Borrowing concepts from films like Repo Men, in many aspects, along with Upgrade.
The fight scenes and sequences after the introduction are over-the-top and schlocky. Starting with the introduction of health packs.
The matches are very similar to a video game, where each fighter has health packs, making it not only a stylistic choice, but a bold statement of the film’s style. Along with the clearly visible ropes that are allowing them to jump, leap, and move the way they do.
The first few characters he fights, once he joins this underground fighting rink, are very much stylized characters whom he should be able to wipe the floor with. Yet doesn’t, and so the context of the film is clearly explained by being shown.
The cinematography is swift, constantly moving, capturing the scenes without making the camera stationary for an extended period of time.
Utilizing the movement of the camera to enhance the pacing, steadily always pushing forward. With the exception of a few moments.
Using carefully placed stills during the fighting scenes, with the power moves, to emphasize the importance of them.
“God Skin is Paween Purjitpanya’s Star Wars.”
It feels like he made God Skin because he couldn’t get the rights to the IP he really wanted. Street Fighter
The film feels so much like a reimagining of Street Fighter, with other outside influences. Like Lucas did with Star Wars when he couldn’t get Flash Gordon.
A tournament-style fighting movie, where video game rules apply.
The problems lie not in the concept, but the execution. It’s clear what inspired the film, what’s muddled is the execution.
Paween Purjitpanya struggles with balance and pacing.
The pacing is off. While it’s not terrible, it has clear issues, most of which are the byproduct of the approach.
Starting off even keel and then quickly turning campy. Embodying more of a B-movie than a stylized action film paying homage to video game culture.
The game-changing reveal is not truly earned, but merely presented. Giving the third act less luster than needed.
Beginning the third act with a soft opening instead of a strong defining pivot that will help define the film.
“God Skin crosses the finish line, but not unscathed.”
Despite the film’s uninspired choreographed fight scenes and average performances, it works.
The film does what I feel it set out to do, even if it fails to execute with stealth. Give audiences a fun, interesting video game action movie, that’s not actually based on a video game. A Wreck-It Ralph for adults.
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