Born a Champion (2021) - Sean Patrick Flanery, Katrina Bowden, Dennis Quaid, Edson Barboza

[AlbertV]

Did anyone see this film? I watched it yesterday and I thought it was a really good film. It's a love letter to the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Sean Patrick Flanery plays a former Marine and expert in the art who enters a tournament in Dubai only to make it to the finals and gets brutalized by an up-and-coming fighter, who ends up making our hero nearly blind. Years pass and when it is revealed that the fighter, now an MMA contender, cheated by giving our hero a cheap shot, the aging fighter is offered a chance at a rematch. And yet, it does threaten not only his vision, but his family life as his wife does not want him fighting anymore. The film is told through the perspectives of two of the hero's friends. 

Flanery not only stars, but he came up with the story, co-wrote the script, co-produced, and actually served as the film's fight choreographer as he is a real-life BJJ black belt who teaches when he's not acting. He owns his own school in California. 

 

[Super Ninja]

From a love letter to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu I'd expect more action and less drama. Besides, more than a love letter to BJJ, it feels like a movie based on the life Flanery wishes he had lived. Untouchable BJJ legend, Renzo Gracie's student, marrying a model, war hero.. the list goes on. Despite Flanery taking it too far when praising BJJ and expressing feelings for his loved one, BAC was still quite enjoyable and very well paced movie with some solid, realistic BJJ action. Needles to say, watching Flanery in a role like this beats watching Assault on VA-33 by a mile.

[DarthKato]

I've never seen this one, but it sounds pretty good. Reminds me a bit of Rocky-V, but probably not as shit as that film. lol