Jungleground (1995)
Directed by A. T. D. Toney, Jungleground is a futuristic action taking place in the World of Fight: a World of Virtual Reality and Martial Arts. It takes place in a thunderous Asia in the near future. Combatants enter the virtual arena called Jungleground to fight for fame and fortune. Max who is an excellent fighter played by Michael Worth is in some sort of video game world, where he is surrounded by menacing adversaries and grave challenges standing between him and the objective, which is in this case to learn about the people behind the organization that runs the arena.
Another reason why Jungleground is interesting is that it was one of the first films to depict virtual worlds as a movement in entertainment rather than gaming. There is a dystopia generated by the conviviality of technology but turned into gaming, where the game is virtual combat rather than traditional combat. Fighting scenes are made enhanced by depicting martial arts choreography, in which real violence is complemented by the backdrop of a virtual combat space.
The first thing that strikes me when I examine Jungleground is its intention to combine action with sociopolitical discourse on technology and society. Although it has not been hailed much, it provides a different perspective about the aspects of escapism and technology repercussions in this present age. This is yet another commentary on mankind’s quest and obsession with power and control presented in an action and adventure packed experience. Fans of cult classics and martial arts films will probably find Jungleground an interesting addition to their watching activities – it takes you back to the sci-fi 90s.
