Best of the Best 2
In an underground fight club, blackbelt Travis Brickley is killed after losing to the evil martial arts master Brakus. Travis' death is witnessed by Walter Grady, the son of his best friend Alex Grady. Alex and his partner, Tommy Lee, vow to avenge their friend's death by defeating Brakus and shutting down the fight club.
The film earned $6.5M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Best of the Best 2 (1993) exemplifies strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Robert Radler's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Alex Grady
Tommy Lee
Brakus
Sue
Travis Brickley
James
Main Cast & Characters
Alex Grady
Played by Eric Roberts
Former Olympic taekwondo fighter drawn back into action when his friends are targeted by underground fighters.
Tommy Lee
Played by Phillip Rhee
Alex's best friend and martial arts brother who accompanies him to Las Vegas for a dangerous mission.
Brakus
Played by Ralf Moeller
Brutal underground fight promoter and main antagonist who runs illegal gladiatorial matches.
Sue
Played by Edan Gross
Alex's sister who gets caught up in the dangerous underground fighting world.
Travis Brickley
Played by Chris Penn
Former team member and friend who becomes involved in the Colosseum fights.
James
Played by Simon Rhee
A member of the original team who supports Alex and Tommy in their mission.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Tommy Lee and Alex Grady have retired from competitive martial arts and are now running a restaurant together, living peaceful lives away from fighting.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Travis is killed during a brutal fight at The Coliseum when opponent Brakus refuses to stop beating him. Tommy and Alex receive the devastating news.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Tommy decides to enter The Coliseum undercover to get close to Brakus and avenge Travis, despite Alex's warnings. He commits to fighting in the brutal tournament., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Tommy defeats a major opponent but realizes he's becoming as brutal as the fighters he despises. Brakus reveals he knows Tommy's true identity and purpose, turning the hunter into the hunted., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Alex is severely beaten by Brakus's men and hospitalized. Tommy hits rock bottom, believing he's failed Travis, endangered his friends, and lost his honor by descending into barbarism., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Tommy realizes he must face Brakus not for revenge but to stop him from destroying others. Alex recovers enough to support him. Tommy accepts the final fight with renewed purpose and honor., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Best of the Best 2's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Best of the Best 2 against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Radler utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Best of the Best 2 within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Tommy Lee and Alex Grady have retired from competitive martial arts and are now running a restaurant together, living peaceful lives away from fighting.
Theme
Travis warns that the underground fight club 'The Coliseum' represents everything they fought against - violence without honor. Theme: True martial arts is about discipline and honor, not brutality.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the team's post-competition lives, their friendships, and the seedy underground fighting world of Las Vegas controlled by Brakus. Travis is drawn to The Coliseum despite warnings.
Disruption
Travis is killed during a brutal fight at The Coliseum when opponent Brakus refuses to stop beating him. Tommy and Alex receive the devastating news.
Resistance
Tommy wants revenge but Alex counsels restraint. They investigate The Coliseum, discover it's run by ruthless promoter Brakus, and debate whether to infiltrate the operation. James offers tactical support.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Tommy decides to enter The Coliseum undercover to get close to Brakus and avenge Travis, despite Alex's warnings. He commits to fighting in the brutal tournament.
Mirror World
Sue, the casino owner's sister, becomes involved with Tommy. She represents a life beyond revenge and violence, embodying the honor and humanity he risks losing.
Premise
Tommy fights his way through The Coliseum's tournament, winning matches while getting deeper into the corrupt world. Alex and the team investigate Brakus's criminal empire. Tommy struggles with becoming what he hates.
Midpoint
Tommy defeats a major opponent but realizes he's becoming as brutal as the fighters he despises. Brakus reveals he knows Tommy's true identity and purpose, turning the hunter into the hunted.
Opposition
Brakus threatens Tommy's friends and family. The team is captured and held hostage. Tommy must continue fighting or his loved ones will be killed. Sue is used as leverage against him.
Collapse
Alex is severely beaten by Brakus's men and hospitalized. Tommy hits rock bottom, believing he's failed Travis, endangered his friends, and lost his honor by descending into barbarism.
Crisis
Tommy contemplates abandoning everything. In his darkest moment, he reflects on what Travis would want - not revenge, but justice and honor restored. Sue reminds him who he truly is.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Tommy realizes he must face Brakus not for revenge but to stop him from destroying others. Alex recovers enough to support him. Tommy accepts the final fight with renewed purpose and honor.
Synthesis
The final confrontation at The Coliseum. Tommy fights Brakus with discipline and honor rather than rage. The team works together to free the hostages and expose the operation. Tommy defeats Brakus using skill and principle.
Transformation
Tommy stands victorious but shows mercy to the defeated Brakus, proving he hasn't lost his honor. The Coliseum is shut down. Tommy honors Travis's memory by staying true to martial arts principles.