I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

This movie is a solid martial arts drama mainly for Chiwetel Ejiofor's performance in the role of Mike Terry, the owner and head instructor of a failing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts school. His wife, Sondra (played by City of God's Alice Braga), has a small fashion designing business that allows them to stay afloat financially. Sondra, however, comes across as greedy and indeed a little shrewish. It seems every possible new person Mike meets and even his in-laws are trying to take advantage of him and screw him over personally and financially. It's frustrating how easy it was for people to do this to Mike. His past as a bouncer, martial arts teacher, and veteran would allow him to spot a con but no. Mike enters into a rigged mixed martial arts tournament after a personal tragedy sees his wife leave, leaving him in desperate need of money. It's a slightly silly homage to the samurai films of Kurosawa and maybe a cynical twist on the idea of the white knight trying to solve everyone's problems for them. No fighter would compete with the kind of disadvantage like the the one shown in this movie, a fighter has his arm strapped behind his back. It wouldn't be allowed by any reputable state athletic commission that licenses and sanctions MMA events.

I have watched this movie when it first came out and by the end of it I was left with a sense of emptiness and confusion, like, what the hell just happened??OK, to be honest I am not a big fan of cheesy dramas with plots were the main character is basically a washed out loser like Mike Terry is portrayed. But, because I am a big fan of martial arts movies and since I practice BJJ, I decided to give it a shot.The movies starts with the typical drama plot but somehow keeps me interested because I am curious about the character development, that is until Mike starts preaching his "no colored belt philosophy", that a black belt is given to the people he thinks deserve it… wow, where do you come up with this? Lol…. And, after only a few classes, not years, classes, Mike gives a black belt to his new protégée!?!Honestly, any person that trains martial arts for a long time can't help but feel mad about the complete disrespectful message this movie sends regarding every black belt in the world that trained long hard years to achieve it. On average it takes 10 years of hard continuous training to get a Jiu Jitsu black belt. About 5 years for Karate. Not a couple of weeks like the movie implies… No wonder that more and more MacDojos are just giving them away like lollies just to get students…Anyways, the movie goes on, blah blah blah, more rubbish dramatic philosophies; "Oh, but why won't you fight??" Asks the wife. " Because it goes against my principles" Says the husband…SPOILER ALERT!! All this builds up for the great finale: The worst fight ever against one of the best BJJ masters, 6th degree black belt John Machado. Mike Terry easily wins the fight, wipes the dust off and is given a Red belt which in REAL LIFE is the highest achievement in Jiu Jitsu and Martial Arts in general. Roll the credits.What a joke!!!

A fantastic movie! The traditional script of a movie is nothing in comparison to this masterpiece. Whether its a fighting movie that you enjoy or a drama, this movie will take your breath away! I could not have been happier with this movie. A must watch for any true movie buff! The story is fantastic! Tim Allen plays a completely different role from his standard and Chiwetel Ejiofor gives a performance of a lifetime. Even the appearance of Randy Couture make the movie that much more believable. The fights are believable which is a rarity in a martial arts movie... Purchased this movie myself for 2$ and was the best money i have ever spent! I constantly re-watch this movie!

Ranking in the high portion of his extensive resume, RedBelt is an intriguing look into mixed martial arts world. Of course it wouldn't be a David Mamet film without the grifting and the succulent dialogue. That's not to say there aren't problems. Like most Mamet films the plots are convoluted and sometimes even the characters don't even know what exactly is happening. There are usually so many twists and cons and backstabbing, that eventually we have to ask if even Mamet himself knows whom is chasing whom. But that really is never the point with this guy. It's really about the journey and the ride he takes us on. RedBelt has a wonderful humble performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor and even a perfectly cast Tim Allen as a Hollywood action hero looking to gain some authenticity. The usual suspects in Mamet's personal arsenal are still playing, and when Ricky Jay or Joe Mantenga appear on screen you aren't disappointed with what he gives them to do.A good film worthy of a look.