Ara Paiaya is pretty much a one man movie studio. He writes, stars, directs, does the action, and in the case of his new flick, 'Maximum Impact', even does the visual effects and sound mixing. His wife also often plays the leading lady meaning that when you see the ‘A Film by Ara Paiaya’ title it, well, pretty much is. He has been at the forefront of independently produced micro-budget action films for several years now. Paiaya’s British produced films are infused with high-impact, Eastern martial arts action and range from the comedy action series 'Dubbed & Dangerous' to action flicks such as 'Death List' and 'Knight Driver'. Paiaya is back with an all new, no-budget action blow-out 'Maximum Impact' (surely that was the title of a Seagal or Van Damme picture at some point) that sees him as international Agent X getting into all kinds of all action antics.

Agent X is called into duty to find and rescue the kidnapped Katie Tang (Raquel Paiaya) who is being held captive by ruthless criminal Pirani (Davidson). She is the only one who can unlock the whereabouts of key witnesses hidden within the witness protection program. Pirani forces their locations out of her so he can do away with the witnesses and not be fingered for past crimes. Agent X manages to rescue Tang but not before Pirani kills a number of witnesses. Agent X continues to try and bring Pirani to justice and soon uncovers a conspiracy that links Pirani to his own agency. High kicking action, low budget style, ensues.

Despite the ultra, ultra low budget and the often amateur acting, 'Maximum Impact' is actually a whole lot of fun and jam packed with some impressive action. The film looks surprisingly good considering the budget limitations with only the slight over obsession with jerky camerawork marring the look of the film. However, getting past this the flick moves at a fast pace and we are never far away from some cool action. Paiaya show’s ambition with some pretty big set pieces including a helicopter chase and gun battle. The effects (explosions and bullet hits) don’t always work but the scale of the scene is impressive and shows the film isn’t afraid to think big. Likewise an impressive battle in a junkyard combines some cool car crunching stunt work and stellar bootwork. Paiaya and his team of fighters and stunt guys know their stuff and have obviously been influenced by Eastern martial arts films. The fights, and there are many of them, are fast, fluid and full of high impact flips, falls and kicks. Fights set in a multi story car park, an empty bar and on a cliff top standout. And talking of ambition, there is also a very cool action scene where we see the action from the point-of-view of the shotgun Agent X is carrying. Certainly not something you see in most micro-budget flicks.

Unfortunately some things don’t gel so well. The supporting cast don’t always convince in the acting department and Paiaya unfortunately overdoses on the slow motion and shots of him wearing shades. If he is going for a pastiche of action films, much like his earlier 'Dubbed & Dangerous' films, then fair enough but if it is to be taken seriously, then it just doesn’t work. While the pace and action are spot on the tone isn’t always consistent as sometimes proceedings seem to be played serious and other times for fun. The constant obvious Scottish accents when the flick is supposed to be set in the US (or is it Canada?) will also irritate some but that is the nature of low budget cinema.

Those that aren’t into low budget cinema may not get a lot out of it but 'Maximum Impact' is a lot of fun and well put together. Paiaya delivers a fast pasted, action packed, martial arts flavoured adventure that despite its limitations sticks to what it does best and delivers heaps of well done, high impact action. Not bad for a bloke who produces and shoots (and does pretty much everything else) his own action movies.