The rules of the streets are clear: If a brawl ensues, you fight too. It doesn’t matter who threw the first punch or instigated the fracas. A blow at your friend is an attack on the group. But for Miguel, the protagonist of “Miguel Wants to Fight,” directed by Oz Rodriguez, this rule has never applied. Despite his friends’ occasional brawls and his father’s boxing studio, Miguel has never thrown a punch in his life. While his friends admire fighters like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, Miguel lacks the experience, confidence, and courage to join in.
In “Miguel Wants to Fight,” Miguel finds himself in a difficult situation. He needs to avoid telling his friends about his family’s impending move to Albany. To divert their attention, he comes up with the idea of getting into a fight. He believes that if he fights someone with his friends, he can prove his loyalty and show that he will always have their back. It’s a simplistic premise but one that allows the film to explore themes of friendship, courage, and the fear of change.
Miguel cherishes his life in Syracuse. He spends his days with his best friends David, Cass, and Srini, going on walks, playing basketball, and recreating fight sequences from their favorite movies. Miguel’s joy is evident as he edits their videos with a wide grin on his face. The news of his impending move to Albany hits him hard. Unable to imagine a day without his friends, Miguel becomes determined to fight a stranger to maintain his bond with his friends.
The film does an excellent job of making Miguel’s quest believable. Miguel’s usually passive and reserved attitude evolves into one of stubborn optimism. He recruits his friends to help him plan his mission, ignoring their questions about his motivations and chances of success. Tyler Dean Flores portrays Miguel with subtle charm and a stubborn sense of optimism that makes us root for him from the start.
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The rules of Operation Miguel Fights are more intricate than the rules of street fights. He can only fight someone he knows, can’t throw the first punch, and must avoid the feared student, Damien Delgado. Cass and Srini, calm and encouraging co-conspirators, devise the plan. While it seems simple on paper, executing the plan becomes increasingly challenging.
The majority of “Miguel Wants to Fight” plays out like a video game, with each fight scene operating as a discrete level. Monica Palmer’s chromatic graphic design adds a retro computerized element to the film’s playful visual language. The fights, choreographed by Junchang Lu, have a deliberately goofy edge to them, reflecting the teenage dreams they originate from and paying homage to the heroes adorning Miguel’s bedroom wall.
However, amidst the laughs and entertaining fight sequences, the film doesn’t forget the heart of the story. While Miguel focuses on starting fights, David, his oldest friend, worries about his motivations. The depth of their relationship unfolds throughout the film. David, marked by years of grief after his boxer father’s death, strives to do better in school and leave fighting behind. Rodriguez maintains a suitable balance between the dramatic elements of David’s story and the light-hearted action-comedy.
One criticism of “Miguel Wants to Fight” is the repetitive nature of Miguel’s failed battles, especially towards the end. While each opponent presents a unique challenge, the anticipation of failure can make these fights blur together. It’s natural to wonder when Miguel will face his real fears instead of engaging in these futile battles.
In conclusion, “Miguel Wants to Fight” is a funny and sincere film that explores themes of friendship and courage while navigating the fear of change. The film’s charismatic cast, led by Tyler Dean Flores, brings the characters to life, and Oz Rodriguez’s assured direction keeps the audience engaged. The video game-like structure, combined with witty writing and choreographed fight scenes, adds an entertaining element to the story. Though the repetitive nature of Miguel’s failed battles may be a drawback, the emotional core of the film remains intact. “Miguel Wants to Fight” is a heartfelt coming-of-age story that will leave you laughing and rooting for Miguel’s journey of self-discovery.
