RATING: A

Lionsgate and Grindstone Entertainment presents a Broken Open Pictures production in association with Storm Alley Entertainment, Armagh Films, Black Pearl Productions. Directed by Tyler Atkins. Produced by David Frigerio, Tim O’Hair, John Schwarz, and Michael Schwarz. Written by Russell Crowe and David Frigerio. Cinematography by Thomaz Labanca. Edited by Todd E. Miller.

Stars Daniel McPherson, Luke Hemsworth, Kelly Gale, Saphira Moran, Amy Shark, Callan Colley, with Bren Foster, and Russell Crowe. 

A former mixed martial artist goes back in the ring to settle an old score in this Australian film co-starring and co-written by Russell Crowe. 

Patton James was at the top of his game in the world of mixed martial arts. However, having retired after a past incident, he is happy where he is with his wife, daughter, and his soon to be second child. However, after losing his job as a fisherman, his life changes when he sees his younger brother fight the current champion Xavier Grau. When Grau illegally knocks his brother out and puts him in a coma, a radio interview changes things for Patton.

Learning that his brother had borrowed $50,000 from loan shark Gabriel Stone, Patton is offered a chance to take on Grau in a championship match. Patton accepts but has seven weeks to train for the fight. With the means to not only pay off his brother’s debts, but make a better life for himself. Patton must overcome two obstacles. He must face the man who trained him but face his own demons if he’s going to take on Grau and have a chance of winning. 

You have to love a good underdog story, especially when a former fighter finds himself on the verge of redemption. For this upcoming mixed martial arts drama, writers David Frigerio and Russell Crowe (yes, THAT Russell Crowe) came up with a great script that is part Rocky, part Warrior, part Never Back Down all wrapped up in an emotionally charged package that makes the best use of its amazing cast. 

Daniel McPherson is excellent as the lead, former fighter Patton James. Leaving the world of fighting behind him, he seems happy at first as he learns his wife is expecting their second child. However, when he’s fired from his job, he discovers his arrogant and cocky brother has fallen victim to the champion in a cage match. McPherson is excellent as the conflicted ex-fighter who is forced into a situation that pits himself back in the match. He has a very emotional conversation with his former trainer, Sammy, played by the aforementioned Russell Crowe, who feels Patton just leaving the game was a sign of disrespect. 

As for Crowe, he doesn’t go much in as a trainer as Sammy leaves that to his headstrong daughter Rose, played by Amy Shark. For Patton, he just wants to make amends with Sammy for leaving him when he needed him most. Crowe pops up when the movie needs to amp up the emotional aspect, like the mentor Patton needs most on the spiritual level while Rose does the physical training. Luke Hemsworth makes the most of his role as Gabriel Stone, the manager of the current champion who is the reason why Patton finds himself back in a world he never imagined going back to. 

You have to love Bren Foster. Since making a major impact with his Life After Fighting, Foster has become a face to look out for in a huge way. With Mexicali recently released and Relentless announced, Foster does wonders here as bad boy fighter Xavier Grau. Grau is the current champ whose reputation is a mixed bag. When he illegally punches Patton’s brother after the referee waves his hands, he taunts Patton (who had knocked him out in a fight years ago) for a rematch and this, along with a shocking twist, leads to their final rematch, which is shot very well thanks to the cinematography of Thomaz Labanca and Foster’s amazing fight choreography.

Beast is an emotionally charged mixed martial arts drama that makes great use of its cast and amazing fight choreography. An underdog story full of redemption and revenge with a sage-like appearance from Russell Crowe and an amazing performance from lead Daniel McPherson, this is one to definitely check out!

The film will be released in select theaters on April 10.