As Good As Dead (2022) Review – Michael Jai White Brings the Heat | Your Dad’s Action Movie Podcast

Action movies aren’t supposed to be complicated. They’re supposed to hit fast, hit hard, and give you something fun to ride along with. That’s why I run Your Dad’s Action Movie Podcast—to celebrate the good, the bad, and the straight-up ridiculous flicks that keep us entertained.

This week I sat down with As Good As Dead (2022) starring one of my all-time favorite action stars, Michael Jai White. You know this man—martial artist, action veteran, Spawn, Blood and Bone, Black Dynamite—the list goes on. He’s been kicking ass on screen for decades and still brings the same energy today.

So, let’s break down what this movie is, where it lands, why I liked it, and whether it’s worth your Friday-night watch list.

Quick Facts: As Good As Dead (2022)

• Director: R. Ellis Frazier
• Producer: Michael Jai White (yep, he’s in on it), Mark Klinbrot, Geoffrey Ross, Justin Nesbitt
• Release Date: December 16, 2022
• Runtime: 92 minutes
• Genre: Action Thriller
• Where to Watch: Amazon Prime (with ads), Tubi (free), Sling TV, Roku, YouTube ($4.99 rental), Google Play ($4.99 rental), Apple TV ($12.99)

Ratings:

• IMDb: 5.5/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 83% audience score
• Google: 62% liked it

Pretty middle-of-the-road on paper, right? But that doesn’t always matter. Sometimes a movie can still be a damn good time even if the critics shrug.

The Plot (The Angry Dad Version)

Here’s what the official synopsis tries to say:

“Bryant befriends a troubled teen and introduces him to martial arts. As Bryant’s dangerous past catches up with him, he’s forced into a life-or-death struggle to clear his name, protect the boy, and reclaim everything he lost.”

Sounds fine on paper, but when you actually watch it, here’s what it feels like:

• Michael Jai White plays Bryant, a man with a mysterious past (because of course he does).
• He’s just trying to live his life, but he connects with a kid who clearly needs guidance.
• Naturally, the kid gets caught up in Bryant’s old problems.
• Bad guys show up. Guns, fists, kicks, car chases—the works.
• Bryant has to step back into the fight, protect the kid, and deal with his demons.

It’s nothing groundbreaking, but who cares? Action movies don’t always need to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes they just need to burn some rubber.

The Action – Why This Movie Works

Michael Jai White is a legit martial artist. When he fights, you see real technique—clean kicks, sharp hand work, and movements that actually look like someone who knows what they’re doing. That alone keeps the movie interesting.

The pacing helps too. At just over 90 minutes, it doesn’t drag. You get straight into the good stuff, and the movie keeps you moving. There’s no bloated runtime, no endless setup—it just flows.

And let me tell you, there are some great cars in this movie. I’m a sucker for fast rides, and seeing them woven into the action is always a plus.

The Prime Rant (Because I Have To)

I watched this on Amazon Prime, and let me just say this:

Prime, you can go fuck yourself with these ads.

I pay for a yearly subscription. I’ve been loyal. But now you’re throwing commercials into movies I already paid to access? That’s bullshit. If I wanted commercials, I’d go back to cable.

That said… free alternatives exist. You can watch As Good As Dead on Tubi. And guess what? Tubi has ads, but I accept that because it’s free. Amazon has no excuse.

Why I Enjoyed It Anyway

Look—this isn’t some Oscar-winning drama. This isn’t going to stick in your head for weeks. What it is… is fun.

It’s a casual watch. A background movie you can throw on after work, enjoy the action, and not overthink. That’s the beauty of films like this: they entertain in the moment.

Michael Jai White sells it. His presence carries the whole thing. Nobody else in the cast really pops off the screen, but honestly, that’s okay. I came for Jai White, and he delivered.

Michael Jai White – Still Doing the Damn Thing

Let’s take a second to appreciate this guy.

Michael Jai White has been around forever. He’s one of the few martial artists who made it in Hollywood while staying true to his roots. He’s not just an actor pretending to fight—he’s the real deal.

When you watch him in As Good As Dead, it feels like comfort food. He’s reliable. You know he’s going to throw hands, kick ass, and give you that old-school action vibe.

He might not be getting the same spotlight as The Rock or Jason Statham, but for real action fans, Michael Jai White is the guy.

Is This a B-Movie?

Here’s the thing: you could call As Good As Dead a B-movie. The budget isn’t massive, the supporting cast isn’t packed with stars, and the plot is simple.

But does that make it bad? Hell no.

Sometimes B-movies are where the real fun happens. You don’t have to worry about huge expectations or Marvel-level CGI. You just get a lean, mean action flick that does exactly what it’s supposed to do.

And that’s what this movie is: a good action movie.

Streaming Breakdown – Where to Watch

Here’s the full list of places you can catch As Good As Dead:

• Amazon Prime (subscription, but now with ads 🤬)
• Tubi (free with ads)
• Sling TV
• Roku Channel
• YouTube – $4.99 rental
• Google Play – $4.99 rental
• Apple TV – $12.99 (ridiculous)
• Fandango – $4.99 rental

Pro tip: Don’t pay $12.99 for this. Watch it on Tubi or Prime if you already subscribe.

Final Thoughts

As Good As Dead isn’t the best action movie ever made. But it doesn’t need to be. It’s entertaining, it’s fast, and it gives you just enough action to make it worth the watch.

If you love Michael Jai White, you’re going to enjoy it. If you just want something to throw on while you relax, it’ll hit the spot.

And if you’re looking for more underrated action movies, I want to hear from you. Drop a comment, DM me, or send me an email with your favorite wild, over-the-top action flicks. I’m building my watchlist, and I want the craziest recommendations you’ve got.

The Verdict

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ out of 5

Fun, quick, and full of fists and cars. Not groundbreaking, not unforgettable—but absolutely worth a watch if you’re an action junkie like me.

Join the Conversation

This blog is part of Your Dad’s Action Movie Podcast. If you like rants, raw reviews, and deep dives into action cinema, keep following along. I’ve got more classics, forgotten gems, and straight-to-streaming chaos coming your way.

And if you’re curious about other podcasts, check out the Inner Circle Podcast Network. Shows like The Plunge, Failing Hollywood, Simmons & More, The Untrained Eye, The Hood Diner, and Sh*t Happens When You Party Naked—all part of the crew.

See you on the next one. Until then, grab your popcorn, crank the volume, and let the explosions roll.