Where to watch The Circuit 2
1 1/2 Stars
Prisoners are dying at the Ogden Correctional Institution, a prison where a corrupt Warden has taken justice and business into his own hands. In the bowels of this prison, an underground fighting society has been formed. The Circuit is flourishing until investigative reporter Nicole Kent is thrown into the mix, and into Pike’s cell where she is viciously attacked and left for dead. Enter Dirk Longstreet. Dirk, who was once a fighting champion on the Eastern seaboard circuit, now has to sit idly by as his girlfriend fights for her life. Dirk decides to fight for revenge.
The Circuit 2 is a marginal improvement over the original film, but it is also a rudimentarily photographed, written, and performed movie, representing another dud from director/actor/producer Jalal Merhi. The action genre evolved into the martial arts genre, which created the ‘Tournament Fight Flick’ subgenre, and that led the way to the ‘Prison Underground Tournament Fight Flick’ microgenre. It’s within this niche that Circuit 2 exists.
Jalal Merhi delivers another subpar action film, this time allowing Olivier Gruner to take the lead role, and while The Circuit 2 is the best of the series, that is faint praise. The film’s production design is sparse, highlighted by cramped locations and minimal money spent. Those familiar with the Merhi film canon will recognize the common traits among his films, and The Circuit 2 is full of Merhi’s tropes.
Directed by: Jalal Merhi
Written by: Glen G. Doyle
Starring: Olivier Gruner, Jalal Merhi, Lorenzo Lamas, Michael Blanks