Mikes Film Talk

In 2009, Great Britain had more CCTV per square inch than any other country in the world. The Tournament, or “Bullets for a Bad Man,” as I like to think of it, uses this as its base. It is an entertaining look at humanity’s lust for blood sport and gambling. It is one of my favorite action films. The Tournament has a cast list to die for (Pun intended.) and a storyline that has a great little twist in the tale.

The Tournament Story

Once a year, assassins from all over the world compete for the title of “Number 1.” A small select group of the world’s 1 % bet on the outcome. This year, someone has figured out how to cheat the system. A downfallen priest, suffering from a question of faith, is earmarked as a contestant. This allows one contestant to move unchallenged while the clergy member is targeted.

With the help of another real contestant, he tries to survive the deadly game.

The Tournament Main Cast

Ving Rhames is Joshua Harlow.

Robert Carlyle is Father MacAvoy

Kelly Hu is Lai Lai Zhen.

Ian Somerhalder is Miles Slade.

Liam Cunningham is Powers.

Character Actors All

Sebastien Foucan is Anton Bogart.

Craig Conway is Steve Tomko.

John Lynch is Gene Walker.

Rachel Grant is Lina Sofia.

Andy Nyman is Tech Eddie.

Cracking Cameo

Scott Adkins is Yuri Petrov.

It Works

Director Scott Mann, who helmed the excellent 2015 Action/Thriller Heist, takes the script and runs. The story has no less than three names attached. There is an old bon mot that says, “Too many cooks doth spoil the broth.” The Tournament, in fact, does not suffer this fate. The story, while there are some plot holes, moves along with a swift pace.

*Side Note: The plot device of the good Father drinking down the homing device is pretty bad. The thing, which is fairly large, is gulped down by the thirsty Priest. In reality, he would have noticed this large item in his brew. He should have choked on it. However, for the story to move forward, we have to believe.*

The Tournament is Good Fun

Mann gives us an action piece that has some goofy dialogue. “Who do you work for? someone asks MacAvoy. “What,” he replies. “Who do you take your orders from? The Pope,” he says. Quite possible the best line in the entire film. There are other gems but this has always been my favorite.

All the actors bring their “A” game to this under 10 million dollar budget, stunt filled, fast paced film. The editing is a masterful exercise folding each scene into the next. I have called this a favorite since discovering it in the now defunct Blockbuster store in Ipswich, UK.

I am pretty sure that if I looked long enough, I could find the original DVD in my movie shelf. It ain’t a classic, oh no. But it offers so many of my favorite actors it is hard not be find it addicting to watch. After all, where else can you find Liam Cunningham and Ving Rhames working together?

The Verdict

The Tournament is a firm 4.5 stars. It loses an entire half star for that coffee cup gaffe at the start. The stunts and shoot em ups are spot on though and good value for the money. It is streaming on Plex, Fawesome, Tubi and Pluto TV. Pop some corn, pour out the fizzy of your choice, or lager if you prefer, and prepare to be entertained.

The Trailer