Australia's cinematic landscape is a curious one, with a distinct lack of sports films that truly capture the nation's passion for professional athletics. While there have been memorable offerings like 'The Club', 'The Coolangatta Gold', and 'The Final Winter', the 2024 film 'Beast' stands out as the first Australian movie set in the world of mixed martial arts. What makes 'Beast' particularly intriguing is its attempt to blend the familiar with the fresh, but ultimately falls short of its potential. The story centers around Patton James (Daniel MacPherson), a retired fighter who is lured back into the ring for a lucrative fight against his former nemesis, Xavier Grau (Bren Foster). The film's premise, while not entirely original, taps into the timeless appeal of the 'against the odds' sports narrative. However, what makes 'Beast' feel stale is its execution. The script, co-written by Russell Crowe, who also stars as Patton's trainer Sammy, is filled with predictable cliches and hollow dialogue. The names of the characters, like Patton James and Xavier Grau, are so over-the-top that they feel more like something out of a scriptwriter's dream than a realistic portrayal of mixed martial arts. Crowe, a fine actor in his own right, seems to be going through the motions in this role, and his performance lacks the depth and nuance that would have made it truly memorable. Similarly, MacPherson's portrayal of Patton feels valiant but not entirely convincing, with the audience constantly aware of the effort he's putting into the role. The only standouts in the cast are screen veterans like Matt Nable and Nathan Phillips, who bring a certain gravitas to their small but memorable roles. The film's technical aspects also contribute to its overall feeling of staleness. The cinematography is rudimentary, the lighting bland, and the score stock standard. The accents, particularly those of some key actors like Luke Hemsworth, are unconvincing, adding to the sense of authenticity lacking in the film. Despite its shortcomings, 'Beast' is quite watchable as a kind of sports telemovie, earnest if a bit lame. There's something eternally pleasurable about watching an 'against the odds' sporting movie, even if it is 'Home and Away's answer to Rocky IV'. However, for a film that aims to be an 'Aussie film full of heart', 'Beast' ultimately falls short. It's a film that is at once unconvincing and strangely comforting, like a familiar, warm blanket that doesn't quite fit. In my opinion, 'Beast' is a missed opportunity. While it taps into the timeless appeal of the 'against the odds' sports narrative, its execution is flawed. The film's technical shortcomings, predictable cliches, and hollow dialogue make it feel more like a television movie than a cinematic experience. Personally, I think that 'Beast' could have been a compelling exploration of the world of mixed martial arts, but instead, it feels like a film that is trying too hard to be something it's not. From my perspective, the film's lack of authenticity and depth is its biggest weakness. It's a film that is so concerned with coming across as an 'Aussie film full of heart' that it ends up without any. What many people don't realize is that 'Beast' could have been a powerful commentary on the pressures faced by athletes, the complexities of family dynamics, and the redemptive power of sports. Instead, it feels like a film that is going through the motions, lacking the depth and nuance that would have made it truly memorable. In conclusion, 'Beast' is a film that is at once unconvincing and strangely comforting. While it is watchable as a kind of sports telemovie, it falls short of its potential as an authentic exploration of the world of mixed martial arts. Personally, I think that the film's biggest weakness is its lack of authenticity and depth. It's a film that is so concerned with being something it's not that it ends up without any of the heart and soul that make a truly great film.
