The movie has more going for it than the previous one in 2008. The 'sensei', Case Walker, this time is none other than Michael Jai White, who also directed the movie. Sure, White is no Djimon Hounsou as acting goes, but he has much acting experience and far better credentials as martial artists than most who play such roles. He did quite well in his first time directing and I suspect will direct more movies in the future. These two factors coupled with the fact that he is well grounded, smart and a good role model in real life helps make the movie a good one, in the genre. His fighting scenes are excellent, his notably different character than that of Hounsou was a well calculated smart choice. By the way, he produced and starred in the 2009 Blood and Bone, a movie to watch if you like movies with good fight scenes.
This sequel has not one star student of Case, but four, for all of who, the movie provides a background, sub-plot and fairly equal play time. That again was an improvement over the initial movie. It was probably a good idea not to bring back the Tom Cruise look alike Sean Faris because that aspect invites unwanted criticism ( bad rap for Faris whose as good as Cruise was at that age.) The only character to be featured in both movies, 2008 Never Back Down and this 2001 sequel, is Max Cooperman played by Evan Peters. He looks a little older but his character retained his unhealthy passion for mixed martial arts fights.
There are annoying sub story lines repeated from the first movie; and that should have been avoided. Specifically, how the character of Mike is prone to fits of anger followed by fighting when any reference to his father is brought up. It was unnecessary and makes the movie appear to lack in originality. Other than that the viewers who like the occasional fight movie, will be satisfied.
This sequel has not one star student of Case, but four, for all of who, the movie provides a background, sub-plot and fairly equal play time. That again was an improvement over the initial movie. It was probably a good idea not to bring back the Tom Cruise look alike Sean Faris because that aspect invites unwanted criticism ( bad rap for Faris whose as good as Cruise was at that age.) The only character to be featured in both movies, 2008 Never Back Down and this 2001 sequel, is Max Cooperman played by Evan Peters. He looks a little older but his character retained his unhealthy passion for mixed martial arts fights.
There are annoying sub story lines repeated from the first movie; and that should have been avoided. Specifically, how the character of Mike is prone to fits of anger followed by fighting when any reference to his father is brought up. It was unnecessary and makes the movie appear to lack in originality. Other than that the viewers who like the occasional fight movie, will be satisfied.