Not Good Not Bad... Just OK :(

Rating: 5/10 (5 November 2012)

There is not much in this Mixed Marital art film but it is on the top end of the spectrum, good cast and script with a few well choreographed fights here and there but it's mediocre, not good nor bad, just mediocre which to be fair is the worst thing for films but as you don't get many of this type flying around so it does have its time in the spotlight which is more to say for most that just degrade and get watered down from their B movie titles.
The story line, what can I say about this? To be frank every tom dick and harry has used this story in their films over the years so I don't know why O'Connor took it up but I guess it's one of those films that just make up the space between block-buster's, it's about two brothers Tommy played by Tom Hardy (Bronson) and Brendan played by Joel Edgerton signing up to a massive tournament of last man standing. They were both taught by their marine father played by Nick Nolte (who is good for the veteran with the voice on concert ) when they were younger so you already know that both men know how to fight.
Tommy "Hardy" is just angry as Hell pretty much, not really a bit of back story in his character but from what there is you can understand him at least, ex-marine whose friend died in duty from friendly fire, and he promised to support his family, already trained to fight and with this 5 million payout and a mega tone of angry issues to release what's not to love? You also find out he saved a soldier's life while on tour so you get a certain feeling of pride for this guy.
Brendan "Edgerton" is a physics teacher who is behind on this payments and hospital bills, this daughter has a heart problem and he borrowed money to pay for his daughter's life and now the bank is threatening to take their home. Being an ex-fighter himself and doing what he can to scrap up money he slowly turns back to fighting and then goes for the 5 million pay out at the last man standing tournament.The whole film is built around them and their family problems which from what I gather is just the build up to the fighting with no real depth and real lack of explaining.
There are four things that make a fighting movie and every one of them has them and they are:- 1.The reasons why they do it 2.The Training 3.The problems and issues they have to overcome 4.The final Fight.
All in all its just a MMA version of rocky which really doesn't hold a light to it.I did enjoy it and Tom Hardy was pretty good in this film but it should of been a hell of a lot better