NEVER BACK DOWN 2: THE BEATDOWN (2011) ***

Michael Jai White stars in this DTV sequel that manages to be superior to the original in every single way.  Not only it is a terrific vehicle for White (who also directed), it has a genuinely involving story that focuses on several likeable characters.  By the time they all fight in the titular Beatdown, you’re not even sure who to root for.

White stars as Case, an ex-con MMA fighter who trains a handful of college-aged students.  A savvy promoter (Evan Peters, one of the only returning actors from the original) puts together an indie fight card that will be broadcast on the net.  Case’s students, who all have their own reasons for fighting, enter the tournament, train together, and learn to grudgingly respect one another.

What makes Never Back Down 2 so great is that we follow a handful of different characters who slowly grow on us over time.  Each fighter is on their own distinct path and bring different levels of emotional baggage into the octagon with them.  (One guy is dealing with the fact his father is gay, another is trying to make enough money so his mom can stop stripping, etc.)  In most of these things, we only follow the hero and the villain.  This little tweak on the usual formula makes the film unique and the fact that they all train together as a unit gives it a different flavor too.

The young cast members (some of which are actual MMA stars) are all strong, but the movie really belongs to White.  He centers the film and brings all the characters together, imparting wisdom with genuine heart, and kicking ass with authority.  He’s particularly good in the scenes where he deals with cops who perpetually harass him.  This is one of his best performances of all time.  White also does a fantastic job in the director’s chair.  He showcases all the fights and training montages with flair and doesn’t resort to the cheap camerawork and quick-cut editing that hampers most DTV action sequels.

If there is a problem, it’s with Chris Hauty’s script.  (He also wrote the first film.)  The way one character goes from being an awkward social outcast to a scenery-chewing villain in the third act is a bit cheesy, not to mention unbelievable.  Other than that, Never Back Down 2:  The Beatdown is proof that DTV sequels can outshine their theatrically-released, bigger-budgeted progenitors.  

AKA:  The Fighters:  Beatdown.