Watch Stranglehold

Stranglehold is a gripping action thriller directed by Joshua Lim and released in 2014. The movie follows the story of young martial artist, Harold (Luke Edwards) who is hunted down by a ruthless gang that wants to steal a valuable piece of information from him. The journey towards survival and protecting what he holds dear is riddled with suspense, intense action, and thrilling plot twists.

We first meet Harold as a frail and scrawny kid who is tormented by a local bully in his small-town neighborhood. However, things take a different turn when he discovers he is a natural at martial arts, something which his late father was also passionate about. Under the guidance of his father's mentor, Master Wong, Harold begins to develop incredible strength, skill, and speed, and it's not long before he becomes a well-respected fighter.

However, Harold's remarkable talents don't go unnoticed. Organized criminal gangs have been keeping tabs on Harold and his father's work and recognize a great opportunity to further their own nefarious ambitions. With a valuable item in their sights - which they believe Harold has - they set out to kidnap Harold's sister, Brenda (Carolyn Stotesbery), and use her as leverage to get what they want.

What follows is an electrifying chase as Harold races against time to save his sister, avoid the dangers lurking at every corner, and make sure the valuable item gets into the right hands. The stakes are high, and the odds seem insurmountable as Harold faces his most daunting test yet.

Kevin Makely is the perfect fit for the role of Harold's father's former mentor, Master Wong. He brings a paternal presence and calm resolve to a film otherwise dominated by violence and chaos. Edwards delivers an impressive performance as the protagonist with fighting skills and an admirable moral compass to match. Stotesbery brings a much-needed balance to the movie, portraying Brenda as resilient, protective, and smart.

The action scenes in Stranglehold are a treat to watch, and it's obvious that the filmmakers went to great lengths to ensure that the martial arts techniques displayed are as accurate and stunning as possible. The fights range from one-on-one bouts between Harold and the gang members to action-packed chases and shootouts in different locations around the city. The fight choreography is seamless, and the camera work is excellently done to capture every move and angle.

The movie also boasts an impressive and varied soundtrack, with music spanning different genres and moods that complement the tone of each scene.

The writing in Stranglehold is effective in that it leans heavily on the film's action and pacing rather than on complicated character development or sophisticated dialogue. This isn't necessarily a flaw, as the focus on relentless action keeps the audience invested and entertained from start to finish. However, the movie could have benefited from a more intricate plot or twists that would have made it more memorable.

Overall, Stranglehold is a well-executed martial arts thriller that is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The film is a brilliant showcase of the possibilities of the genre when executed at a high level, and it's sure to satisfy fans of martial arts movies looking for a break from the usual cliches.

Stranglehold is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.2.