Great surprise

Rating: 8/10 (4 January 2013)

The script is very solid, and the implacable articulation of the different elements of the story is totally captivating.
What's important in that plot isn't so much the tournament itself which is more of a support, nor the final outcome which becomes quickly predictable, but rather the path to get to it and the background of this torn apart family.
The MMA universe has been well transcribed and for the fans, there are a few well-known faces such as Anthony Johnson or the referee Josh Rosenthal. However, Gavin O'Connor relied on a few easy and not very realistic points: for example, the tournament format (2 fights/day over 2 days) would have been more credible 20 years ago because you don't see that type of event anymore these days; or the fact that the intensity of the fights and the use of certain techniques were exaggerated. Yet, the intention is laudable because this was to dynamize the script, but it had to be said.
As for the direction, it is very good, dynamic and powerful, whether for the fights or more dramatic scenes.
And what about the Edgerton-Hardy-Nolte trio, who was spot-on and excellent from end to end.
Truly a great surprise.