Absolutely Fantastic

A Masterpiece!

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Pulling John is a movie that will surprise you as it showcases one of the world's premier strength athletes. I was told that I "had to see this movie, you won't believe it!". I watched it with low expectations as I could not care less about arm wrestling, but I was astonished by the thought that there was a 200 lb, guy out there, who for the past twenty years has been beating every giant that has challenged him. the other reviewer is correct in that the movie does not have a great deal of depth to it, however, I thought that there was moderate development in terms of showing the big Russian's way of life, and the American hick's upbringing. The nearly universal awe and fear in which John is held by all the other competitors is amazing. I highly recommend this inspiring picture.

A mostly superficial glance at the world of professional arm wrestling, framed around the late-career biography of John Brzenk, the sport's resident living legend. With twenty-five years of domination (and a role in Sly Stallone's infamous action bomb Over the Top) under his belt, Brzenk knows his days are numbered, and Pulling John introduces his two most likely usurpers: the quiet, contemplative Russian Vassiliki Khonsari and his bombastic American counterpart, Travis Bagent. The trouble is, since each man has dedicated so much of their lives to the sport, there really isn't enough engaging material behind any of them to support closer scrutiny. We see them work out, watch them prepare for a match, meet their family... and always reach an uncomfortable lull in the conversation when it becomes clear that's all there is to see. The matches are a real spectacle, incredibly tense and exciting, even though most are over within moments. That's more a compliment to the drama of the sport itself, though, and not the work of the filmmakers. The backstage stuff isn't especially interesting, except perhaps to especially hardcore arm wrestling enthusiasts, and the electricity of the events would be just as effective on an ESPN2 broadcast.

How exciting can you make a documentary about world-class arm wrestling?! So, although I am not giving this a huge score, for what it is, it's pretty good--but I just can't see its topic interesting the average viewer. I only watched it because I am weird--the word of guy who would watch practically any documentary! The film follows three arm wrestlers--one a Ukranian who lives in Russia and two Americans. One of the Americans, John Brzenk, is sort of like an arm wrestling god--as he's been a world champion in one weight class or another something like 25 years--even beating guys who are much, much larger! He is the man everyone aspires to beat and now two heavyweights (Alexy Voevoda and Travis Bagent--the Ukranian and the cocky upstart American) hope to finally be the guys to stop Brzenk.There really isn't much more to the film than this--lots of footage of arm wrestling and lots of interviews with the camera. Both Brzenk and Voevoda seem pretty likable whereas Bagent is cocky--but it sure works for him! You do find yourself being pulled into the matches (which surprised me) and it was about as interesting as you could make this odd topic.

This film follows 3 professional arm wrestlers; A favorite for the championship, the Russian Alexy Voevoda. A young rising star working his way towards his first championship, from West Virginia Travis Bagent, and the best arm wrestler of all-time John Brzenk. You learn a lot about the individuals, and what drew them to the sport. You also learn from all the arm wrestlers interviewed that John Brzenk is the best ever, and the best there ever will be. He is the Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, Wayne Gretzky, and Joe Montana combined!. People in the community look at Brzenk as a god. Professionals never even compare themselves to him, because they know they will never be anywhere near his status. Brzenk started arm wrestling when he was 16, and by the time he was 18 he won his first title. He is 43 when this was filmed. The most impressive stat to Travis Bagent and Voevoda, and the entire arm wrestling work was that Brzenk has never lost a Supermatch. Throughout the course of the film, you follow Travis Bagent, and Alexy Voevoda train, and work their ways through the ranks and crush opponents until the 2 square off in the championship. Voevoda is highly favored over the young, loud, eccentric American Bagent. Once you become World Champ you will most likely get a shot at the legend John Brzenk, and that is what these 2 men dream about. You have to give this movie a watch if you're a fan of documentaries, a sports fan of any kind, and love to watch people that are masters of their crafts. I went into this film with no expectations, and left with so much respect for John Brzenk. Bagent, and Voevoda sure have bright futures, and after seeing this I think I might have to start following arm-wrestling. I never thought I would say that. What a fun and powerful film.