Fighting

Channing Tatum plays a street hustling homeless guy who starts making the big bucks fighting guys in New York City’s underground fight circuit. Terrence Howard plays his manager, a Ratso Rizzo-type who is far more interesting than the guy doing the actual fighting. The film has two big problems: Tatum is about as boring as they come, and the fights are unrealistic to the point of distraction. Had the movie been about Howard’s character, and Tatum was just one of several plucky fighters he handled, they might’ve had something here. Instead, it’s all about Tatum’s character, including a dull love story that inspires naptime. Tatum has been decent in past supporting roles, but he still has a lot to prove as a leading man.