Fighters

The Sweet Science takes a sizzling turn as two gorgeous forces of nature meet in the center of the ring for this engaging saga about facing inner demons and testing one’s limits. Jesse Jane and Kayden Kross, in the most physically demanding roles of their careers, show championship form, conveying total attitude while also bringing an endearing tenderness to their characters.

They lead a cast of heavyweight performers that also includes fellow Digital Playground exclusives Stoya, Riley Steele and Bibi Jones, all three of which also pack a punch thanks in part to the direction of Robby D., who has become an expert at orchestrating big productions brimming with star power.

D. knows that everyone who’s ever stepped between the ropes does it for their own reasons, and Jesse and Kayden are no different. Trouble seems to follow the adorable, yet gritty Jesse, who was raised poor and is burdened by the sadness of her mother’s recent suicide. She resents her playboy father (Tommy Gunn), but remains tight with her younger sister Riley (Steele).

Jesse’s angst leads to brawling in the halls at school — two of her scuffles are with Bibi, who also happens to be fucking her Dad. When the principal orders Jesse to seek reform at the local boxing gym or be expelled, she soon finds out that she’s got a natural straight right hand, not to mention a crush on her trainer Jimmy (Scott Nails). The chemistry between Jane and Nails is obvious, making their spontaneous encounter in the gym one night an instant ball-drainer.

Not only does Jane bring the heat sexually, she also delivers a career-defining acting performance in a movie that tested her range.

Meanwhile the private schooled Kayden is filthy rich, but she feels empty because her father chooses his business in Europe over her. She turns to boxing as an outlet, fine-tuning her combos with her beefcake trainer Charles Dera while she tries to justify her desire to fight with her slutty BFF Stoya. Kayden yearns for competition, gravitating toward the same gym where Jesse trains, setting the stage for an all-blonde showdown at Friday Night Fights.

D., a combat sports enthusiast himself, skillfully captures the boxing sequences as the girls prepare for their climactic fight — all without skimping on the sex, which happens early and often. Highlights include Kayden’s passionate tryst with boyfriend Manuel Ferrara, Stoya’s nasty hook-up with “meat puppet” Erik Everhard and Riley’s sensational session with Ramon Nomar.

The action all fits nicely into a total package that should thrust “Fighters” into title contention in the months to come.

Retail mix: One of 2011’s must-see movies.