James is a former MMA champion who has left the world behind and is struggling to support his wife and daughter as a low-yield fisherman who crews a ship with a captain that he is frequently at odds with.
When his brother receives a beating in the ring from a fighter who James had quickly dispatched years earlier, he is offered a chance to get revenge by returning to the ring.
Desperate for money, he accepts a fight and is given a mere seven weeks to train for the match. His former trainer Sammy (Russell Crowe) wants no part of this return as there are plenty of unresolved issues between him and James over his last match years earlier.
James is able to get training from Sammy’s daughter, and this places him on a collision course with his past, present, and future with a brutal fighter in his way.
While the movie does involve many of the usual tropes leading to the big match and the formula is not given much in the way of new wrinkles; the strong cast and very effective choreography keep you engaged and the rousing match delivers a satisfying performance.
If you are a fan of sports movies and the MMA, then you will find “Beast” a film you will not want to miss.
3.5 stars out of 5
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