American Fighter

American Fighter uses every possible movie cliché about an 'underdog' fighter who has to beat the odds and surpass people's low expectations to reach a certain goal. There's nothing creative or imaginative about this film.

The cheesy action movie cliches don't quite prevent this from being an enjoyable action movie.

B-movie regulars Tommy Flanagan and Sean Patrick Flanery face off as a shady promoter and Ali's grizzled mentor, respectively, but like the uninspired fight scenes, they're barely even going through the motions.

Despite exhilarating, well-choreographed fight scenes, it's shallow, unfocused and fails to pack an emotional punch.

Here's why you need to see American Fighter. It's the fighting!

The players give fair value, but not that extra something that would have lent this pathos or made us care. And if you've seen one savage beat-down, you've seen them all.

American Fighter is hardly as polished as the Hollywood counterparts that it clearly looks up to, but it is a sports drama that wears its heart on its sleeve and has a lead hero that's sweet-natured and very easy to root for.

While it indulges in every cliche imaginable, the movie's scrappy, growly charm holds the attention.