Movies: Gymkata

How do you rate a movie that is in many ways objectively horrible, but so hilariously over-the-top that it provides more entertainment than actual purpose-built comedies? I'm referring to "Gymkata," the infamous low-budget action movie starring World Champion gymnast Kurt Thomas. The trailer pretty much says it all:



It's a thoroughly ridiculous premise, although the actors all play it pretty straight. And while I have no doubt that a real Olympic gymnast could make an excellent martial artist, the sheer lunacy of some of the fight scenes in the movie make it clear that the whole concept had gone horribly off the rails. Take this famous fight, for example. Our hero is attacked by a mob of crazed townspeople - thankfuklly, there's a conveniently placed pommel horse!



So you see why I'm so conflicted. This is the kind of movie that's absolutely brilliant for when you have a couple of beers in you and you can joke along with it amongst your friends. Unlike many "bad" movies, it's not talky or slow, and the plot, while totally bizarre, is pretty easy to follow. All the characters are memorable, if for all the wrong reasons. Just don't pay too much to see it.

Rating: 6/10