The familiar Rocky template gets a low-budget workout in this martial-arts action melodrama, which finds a retired fighter (real-life jiu-jitsu champ André Lima) compelled to get in the ring one last time to clash against a wicked opponent so that he can pay for his daughter's brain surgery. It takes a long time for the story to get going (and even longer to reach the obligatory training sequence), but once Gary Busey, as a horny fight promoter surrounded by scantily clad women, gets involved, things move a bit faster. Despite appearances by Busey and Martin Kove, Beyond the Ring is clearly a vanity showcase for Lima, the wooden star/co-writer who isn't helped by the lingering edits.

Shelf Talk: Because this action movie features a Latino as its star, it could click with the ever growing Hispanic market. Beyond the Ring isn't rated by the MPAA, but if Rocky Balboa can get a PG, then so can this one, as the language is clean and the violence is kept in the ring. MTI will promote the film through its YouTube and MySpace presences as well as in fight-oriented Web sites and magazines.