Film Review: The Legend of Baron To’a

Uli Latukefu and Nathaniel Lees in The Legend of Baron To’a (Madman Entertainment)

Years after the tragic death of his father, the beloved Tongan pro wrestling legend Baron To’a (John Tui), Fritz (Uli Latukefu) returns to his childhood neighbourhood. The SWOT analyzing, efficiency-minded entrepreneur has no intention of staying, but his plans to tie up loose ends, sell the family house, get the money he needs for his next venture and leave on the next flight go awry almost immediately. Communication with the real estate agent breaks down. His uncle (Nathaniel Lees), who co-owns the house, shows little interest in moving out or moving on. And when Fritz unwittingly gets involved in local gang business, they retaliate by stealing his father’s championship belt. In conflict with the gang and with himself, struggling to reconcile with his father’s legacy, his work demands back home, and strained but subtly regrowing ties to his community, Fritz decides that he must fight to reclaim the belt and all it represents. 

This is a lot to tackle in a 103 minute feature. The Legend of Baron To’a might be balancing even more than its hero: The body of an action comedy and the heart of a drama. Fight and chase sequences heavily influenced by more “realistic” martial arts and parkour moves in a story that revolves around a predetermined sport with a very different style. Entertainment and culture and tradition and the ways in which they can intersect — like the rich history of Tongan people in pro wrestling. But the film weaves all of these plots, elements, and themes together with great care, skill, and incredibly sharp comic — and combat — timing. 

From script, to direction, to fight choreography, to cast, there isn’t a single weak link. The story is both clever and emotional. The action scenes consistently subvert expectations in amusing and exhilarating ways. (There’s also a scene that explains how the Baron’s real life fights influenced his wrestling performances that beautifully nails the unique relationship between real and fictional battle.) Tui exudes such pure babyface energy as To’a that it’s easy to understand why he’s left such a mark on his community, but it’s equally easy to sympathize with why Latukefu’s Fritz sometimes struggles with that impact — and mark out as he makes his peace with it. 

Whether you want to marvel at how well it’s made or go along for the ride, The Legend of Baron To’a is a joy to watch. 

The Legend of Baron To’a will screen in Canada at the online imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival on Friday, October 23, 2020.
Find screening information here.