I've recently discovered a new interest in movies with this genre. Just like the Rocky series ( including the new Creed movie), and the Never Back Down series. They're pretty good movies to watch especially when you're struggling through certain adversities. They serve has that extra motivational push to take charge of whatever situation you find yourself in. The story-lines are pretty much similar, the protagonist finds himself/herself struggling after losing everything he once had (Or like the Rocky movies), an underdog fights his way to the top through sheer determination and hard work. It isn't just about the fighting, it's the pain. the training, the tears and that moment you've almost given up. We have all experienced that down moment. When life hits you so hard and you find it difficult to get back up
The director (Antoine Fuqua) who brought us movies like Tears of the Sun and Equalizer brings us this movie about protagonist Billy Hope (Played by Jake Gyllenhaal), a professional light weight boxer with years of experience and more than 40 wins to his name. He has everything a pro-boxer would ever dream of, a title to his name, a loving wife and kid, and much wealth. Everything is lost when his wife Maureen (Played by Rachel Anne McAdams ) is shot dead during an unexpected fight with another boxer Escobar (Played by Miguel Gomez), who tried to provoke him into setting up a boxing fight with him. Billy Hope, who's known to have a short temper disregards his wife's warning not to listen to Escobar's provocative words thereby fighting and causing a uproar.
Everything else goes south from then on. He loses his house, friends, career and even his daughter (taken by child services for his inability to care for her). He also gets betrayed by his manager (Played by 50 Cent), who leaves to go manage the Boxer who causes the death of his wife. Realizing he needs to get back in shape and change his lifestyle to get his daughter (Played by Oona Laurence) back, he goes to trainer (Played by Forest Whitaker ) who trained the only opponent who has ever given him a tough time in the ring.
After going through so much adversity, he gets an opportunity to fight again. Against the boxer that caused the death of his wife. With good training lessons from his new found trainer, Billy Hope defeats the undefeated boxer after a gruesome 12 round boxing game. After having winning back his title and daughter. The movie ends in an all similar Tragedy-Comedy sequential screenplay.
I have to give credit to Jake Gyllenhaal's acting in this movie. He allows you share the character's experience. I also commend the action and boxing fight sequences. It gives you that adrenaline with all the bleeding and violence that comes with boxing. My personal rating for this movie would be a 3.8/5.
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