As long as the original creators were compensated I don't have a problem. But I didn't see any acknowledgement of Albert Pyun who directed Mean Guns or the writer of Mean Guns.
My mistake. Didn't realize Mean Guns was that old, thought for sure the novel for BR came first but just checked it out. I retract my previous post hehe.
Mean Guns was made on a MUCH lower budget, and seen it that light was VERY good. I don't really think one should compare movies with such different possibilities.. if Mean Guns had gotten just 1/5 of the budget for this, it would be at least as good - if not better.
I can't remember the exact figure, and it doesn't say on the IMDB, but I'd guess somewhere between $500,000 and $2,000.000 (usual Pyun budgets), which is at least 3 times less than this movie is made for.
I just got the Albert pyun's Mean Guns WIDESCREEN Director's Cut on blu-ray and its rockin. Finally in its widescreen format. Pyun is self-distributing the Blu-ray DC himself and adds extras like commentary that gives a detailed look into how the film was made and how Lambert and Ice-T were cast. Shot in 15 days! What a great movie and only lights that could be plugged into wall plugs were used.
I just saw Mean Guns and hope this one holds up too. Another of this type is The Condemned starring Steve Austin. The beginning of this sort of plot was called The Most Dangerous Game made back in the 30's based on a book I read in High School English Lit. Ice-T did a movie that was very good called Surviving The Game where he was hunted by Rutger Houer (sic). Rutger Hauer found out too late that he bit off more than he could chew. I will return after seeing The Contest with what I am sure will be a positive report.
This movie is way better than Mean Guns. Albert Pyun is completely anti-blood. Not one drop of blood in that whole goddamn movie. The Tournament was swimming in blood from the start. It was bigger, more creative, and it didn't have that *beep* awful salsa soundtrack.