While I’ve enjoyed watching MMA (though I liked the early UFC tournament format better than the WWE style system they have now) there hasn’t been a good movie about it.
David Mamet’s Redbelt was awesome, but that’s more of a jujitsu/philosophy movie. (be aware: I can really split hairs when it comes to marital arts films)
Honestly, we’re owed a good wrestling film before we get into needing a good MMA film. And don’t any of you morons try and mention Vision Quest. That movie sucked. But we may soon have a good MMA film.
Director Gavin O’connor (Pride and Glory, Miracle) will soon bring us the story of two brothers who are in the MMA game for different reasons. Tom Hardy (Inception), who got JACKED, is trying to redeem himself and his trainer/father (Nick Nolte). You’ll also see Tom playing Bane in Dark Knight Rises. Joel Edgerton (King Arthur) is the other brother who was retired and teaching high school physics but needs money to support his family. Both brothers enter a kind of King of Iron Fist tournament with a large cash prize.
While this plot may sound like you’ve heard it before, O’Connor is a gifted director. Miracle is one of the best non-comedy sports movies ever made. If you haven’t seen Pride and Glory with Ed Norton and Colin Farrel, you need to stop reading this and go find it. Pride and Glory is a great film.
So we may have a good MMA film soon. However, still no love for the wrestlers.