For an action movie then this was as predictable as they come. Yep, it is one of those movies where an underdog receives a short period of training in martial arts, then rises to the occasion and wins despite impossible odds against many other well-trained combatants.Story-wise then "Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown" was rather generic and similar to many other similar movies before it. Actually it was almost a frame-by-frame copy of the first movie.What makes the movie somewhat worthy watching is the fight during the actual Beatdown event, but it doesn't take place before well over an hour into the movie. The rest of the movie was just, sorry to say, a rather mundane story.As for the acting, well I will say that it was adequate for the particular genre that it is. Just don't get your hopes up for academy award winning performances.This sequel is a blatant and unnecessary remake of the first "Never Back Down" movie, to the point where it was embarrassing to bear witness to. It wasn't a continuation or anything, and sure it was with other characters, but the plot and storyline was a copy and paste job that was made so hastily."Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown" is a mediocre action movie experience, although it does show some impressive fighting skills from Michael Jai White. It might be worth a watch if you enjoy fighting movies that is driven by the action and a solid storyline is left far behind in its wake.

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.

I give this movie an 8 out of 10 because i love the story. It is a little like the last one one but hey, I loved the last one too. I think everybody is judging this movie on the fights and not the actually story. I think the actors did a great job getting you into the story, and Epstein did a good job at being the villain. If you filled out a pro's and con's list of this movie I think there would be far more pro's. The mixed martial arts is greatly displayed and the characters look like real fighters. I hope they make a Never Back Down 3 with possibly bringing back Jake Tyler to add some class into it but as far as this movie goes. I really enjoyed viewing it and if your an mixed martial arts guy or even a boxing guy.. I recommend this movie.

I went in to this film expecting another great movie like the original.Well i was very disappointed.Michael Jai White is a decent actor and i enjoyed watching him in Universal Soldier:The Return.In this film he certainly is no Mr Miyagi.The other characters were not the best of actors to be honest.The fighting was decent enough though and i enjoyed all the M.M.A action.I enjoyed the story bringing in different characters and backgrounds in M.M.A.I would recommend only watching this if you are bored or pick it up in the bargain bin at your local video store.And the scene where they train one fighter by punching a piece of paper has got to be the worse scene in a movie ever.This should have never been made.I guess some things really do look better on paper.