Straight to DVD films used to have some sort of negative connotation attached to them but over the past five years there has been a significant change in the quality of films released directly to video. It is possible to really like a movie that has never had a theatrical release but sometimes it does take a lot of effort, as is the case with Michael Jai White’s new film, Never Back Down 2.
“Behind closed doors of a seemingly normal college, the ultimate showdown in underground MMA fighting is being planned. Ex-MMA rising star Case Walker (Michael Jai White) trains four college-age fighters, each with their own individual obstacles. Case will instruct them to master the most mind-blowing fighting techniques and go head to head in the most punishing competition ever devised – The Beatdown.”
I’ll be honest, the only reason I wanted to watch this movie is because I love Michael Jai White. I think he’s the baddest mofo to be not be regularly featured in mainstream action films when he rightfully deserves to be. He’s like the black Jason Statham. And so I digress. I’ve only seen maybe ten minutes of the first Never Back Down and so I cannot compare this film to that one, but what I can say is that there didn’t seem to be a relationship between the two except for the fact that they both are MMA based.
As I watched this unrated film, which was directed by White, I made sure to keep my expectations low because not only did it look like a B movie but because it starred actual MMA fighters who I had to remain skeptical about. Athletes tend to suck at acting and so is the case in this flick. Scottie Epstein and Todd Duffee were horrible actors but great performers when it came to the actual fight scenes. The same can be said for the rest of the cast members. The dialogue was extremely corny and the lines were never delivered with an authentic feel to them. Dean Geyer was another main character and he just added nothing to film but a pretty face that got smashed every once in a while. Even Michael Jai White wasn’t that good when he was talking but his massive presence at least kept the film grounded to a certain extent.
Now I could go on bashing most of this film but I don’t see the point. When you watch it you shouldn’t expect anything to be good except the fight scenes. I was actually surprised as to how good the action choreography was and how certain moves were executed. The smartest move the casting director made when casting this film was picking mostly real MMA fighters to do the actual fighting because without them, this movie would have probably been miserable on all levels. The fighting was intense, adrenaline pumping, and exciting to watch. It made you feel like you were watching real fights 
rather than staged and rehearsed battles. Oh, there were also some great cameos from fighters Lyoto Machida, Eddie Bravo and “Big” John McCarthy.
As for the DVD itself, it features commentary from Michael Jai White and fighters Scottie Epstein and Todd Duffee. There are also some deleted scenes and extended scenes but they added absolutely nothing to the mix and I was glad that they weren’t included in the film. The one good thing about this DVD is that it is chock full of different languages so fans of White or any of the fighters can watch it anywhere around the world.
Never Back Down 2 is merely a platform to showcase some awesome fight scenes and not something to watch if you are looking for a story or a film with at least mediocre acting. It does give you an opportunity to be introduced to some fighters and watch them all kick some ass. Not only that, it also gives you the chance to see what Mr. Miyagi would have been like if he was an asshole and a massive black dude who could destroy all those in his path. Despite everything, you actually can enjoy Never Back Down 2. It might take a little time to get used to its many flaws but your time pays off when The Beatdown actually comes around.
Rating: It may be a laughable film but the fights make it worth your time (5.5/10)
Never Back Down 2 hits the streets on September 13th thanks to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
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