WFG RATING: B

A FuYah Production. Directed by Robert Parham. Written and produced by Willie “BAM’ Johnson. Cinematography by Joshua Pestaner and Tyrone Bullock. Edited by Dennis Blair.

Stars Willie “BAM” Johnson, Marshieh Johnson, Zarion Johnson, Stephen Wilkes, Tony Jones, Elias Ramos Robin Thomas, Rhonin Swenson, Khalil Abdullah, Robert Parham, Alex Ziwak, Bruce Fontaine, and Jerry Trimble. 

A man searches for redemption through teaching in this indie martial arts drama from the director who brought you Cocaine Roach.

Elijah is a former martial arts champion who made a mistake and has paid the price for his actions by serving jail time. When he is offered a chance at parole, there is a catch. He must go to a local martial arts dojo and serve as a teacher. If things go well, he will be granted early release. However, there are those who feel he should stay in prison, including his own parole officer. 

As he has nowhere to go, he sleeps on the street and life has not been treating him well. The next day, he runs into Jojo, a teenager who has taken over the local dojo after his mother is constantly at the hospital and his father is away due to the COVID-19 lockdown. When Elijah begins to train Jojo for an upcoming competition against rival Charlie Hunter, he is given a choice by his parole officer. Train Jojo to lose his match or go back to prison. Elijah finds himself in a serious predicament and it must take his faith and courage to do the right thing.

It is quite a joy when you see a martial arts film that relies not just on fights, but more drama and giving a message in the long run. That is the intention of this film, written and produced by Willie “BAM” Johnson, who 90s kids may remember from his stint on the show WMAC Masters. The talented martial artist, with help from director Robert Parham, brings a story of redemption, courage, and faith to life in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Johnson is great in the role of Elijah, a former champion who made one mistake, which landed him in prison. We see him at a parole hearing and even there, we know who one of our antagonists will be. That’s because there’s not just one, but quite a few in the film. As Elijah contends with his parole officer and corrupt cops, the character of Jojo, played by Marshieh Johnson, has a rival in champion Charlie Hunter, played by Rhonin Swenson, and his coach, who of course is a “win at all costs” type. 

There aren’t many fights in the film, but more consists of training scenes and when it comes to a virtual tournament, forms and the fight between Jojo and Charlie. Playing celebrity judges seeing the film via online are martial artist and actor Alex Ziwak, kickboxing and 90s action legend Jerry Trimble, and former Hong Kong star turned filmmaker Bruce Fontaine. The fight between Jojo and Charlie is actually the best thing in terms of the film as thanks to Willie Johnson’s choreography, meshes MMA and kickboxing and a little wushu mixed in from the younger Johnson. The film is meant to promote a new sport in the form of Point MMA, similar to point karate but using certain grappling techniques in addition to kickboxing for points. 

1 Out of 100 is not just a martial arts film, but more of a drama that is a story of redemption, faith, and courage through the eyes of master and student. Willie “BAM” Johnson is excellent in the mentor role and the final fight is not too bad at all. If you like dramas about the spirit of martial arts, then this is your film. 

The film spreads a message and please check out https://www.urbanspiritfoundation.org/ for information on how to help give 1 million scholarships to underprivileged kids. The film is now available on Amazon Prime and Tubi.