Review: Born A Champion – “Solid MMA action, but not for everyone”

We all fight.  We fight with our words, with our hearts, and, yes, with our fists.  We fight for status, pride, a cause, our country, and yes, money.  Some people are born to lose.  Some people are Born A Champion.

The Plot

Mickey Kelly fought for America, now he teaches people to fight for themselves.

It’s the early 90’s. Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA, hasn’t even been invented, yet.  Mickey’s military service is over, and his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training starts to pay off.  On a plane to Dubai, Mickey sets out for a big payday, teaching self defense to wealthy kids in Dubai.

Layla, played by Katrina Bowden, also travels to Dubai.  She’s been hired to model and make some extra money herself.  Sparks fly as Layla meets Mickey on the plane after a simultaneous act of kindness brings them together.  Unfortunately, Layla’s new boss also seems smitten with her, and Mickey must come to her defense.

After arriving back in the U.S., Layla and Mickey meet up again.  This time, for good.  Quickly married, the couple soon becomes a family with a son on the way.  They struggle to get by financially, but opportunity soon knocks.  Another trip to Dubai, another chance to make some money.

Mickey, played by Sean Patrick Flanery, quickly dispatches opponents at a small MMA tournament.  Then comes Marco Blaine, played by Edson Barboza.

The Good – Born A Champion

Like many good fight movies, Born A Winner goes far on a small, $21 Million budget.   As a casual MMA fan, I can’t tell you if every move is 100% authentic, but the Jiu Jitsu fights feel right on.

At each fight in the film, something different and entertaining comes out.  Each fight has a different purpose and feel.  Each fight along Mickey’s journey shows us something new about his character.  Moral code, skill, toughness, tenacity, and heart take center stage at different points.

After a cheap shot from Marco Blaine ends the fight with Mickey before it even began, Mickey’s career appears over.

Mickey continues to teach handfuls of students, while Marco’s career takes off to world wide fame.  Mickey settles into being a father, while Marco’s team finds the one blemish could possibly ruin his legacy.  Enter Dennis Quaid.

Dick Mason is MMA’s biggest advocate.  Dennis Quaid’s character does anything and everything to build up his sport and his fighters.  Dick sees a Marco Blaine rematch with Mickey as the chance to solidify his reputation and sell a huge fight.  

Ever the reluctant warrior, Mickey is tempted once again.  The risks to his health versus taking care of his family.  What’s the cost of not taking the big paycheck?  What’s the risk if he does?

The Bad

Fight films seem best at 90 minutes long.  Born A Winner pushes two hours.

The story, script, and character development all make sense and are done well.  But, the movie would’ve been best served with a shorter, more efficient story.  Not that the story drags, but most scenes feel like they could have been told with less screen time.

The Review – Born A Champion

Born A Winner is as much history lesson for MMA history as it is Mickey Kelly’s life story.

From real life shots of John McCain and government hearings on MMA regulation; to real life Jiu Jitsu legend Renzo Gracie playing himself; the sport itself has to fight just as hard as Mickey for survival.

There’s even hilarious fight between the Karate Kid style fighting of the 80’s and the emerging MMA style of the 90’s.

The fight sequences are a ton of fun and jump off the screen.  All of the fights make sense for the story and ring true with Mickey’s character.  Each fight is different and never repeats itself.  Everything you want from a Bloodsport style film, you get from Born A Winner.

Overall, a solid MMA action flick that feels like it was shot in the 1990’s or early 2000’s.  Not a perfect film, and not for every audience.  But, If you’re in the mood for a good fight movie, check out Born A Winner.

112 Minutes, Rated R.  Action, Drama, Sports.

Additional Information

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt10661710