Never Back Down (2008)
24 %
Reviews Counted: 74 Fresh: 18 Rotten:56 Average Rating: 4.5/10
Consensus:
Though not without its pleasures, Never Back Down faithfully adheres to every imaginable fight movie cliché.
Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins
Theatrical Release: Mar 14, 2008 Wide
Box Office: $24,767,490
Synopsis: Set against the action-packed world of Mixed Martial Arts, Never Back Down is the story of Jake Tyler, a tough kid who leads with his fists, and, often, with his heart. Jake Tyler, played by Sean Faris, is the new kid in town with a troubled past. He has recently moved to Orlando, Florida with his... [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Sean Faris, Djimon Hounsou, Amber Heard, Cam Gigandet, Evan Peters
Director: Jeff Wadlow
Screenwriter: Chris Hauty
Producer: Patrick Wachsberger, Erik Feig, Craig Baumgarten, David Zelon
Screenwriter: Chris Hauty
Producer: Patrick Wachsberger, Erik Feig, Craig Baumgarten, David Zelon
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Reviews
Here's what I hoped for: someone to root for, someone to root against, an inspiring coach, some eye candy and, of course, training montages. I got what I wanted.
Comment
08/27/08
A sort of teenage Fight Club, complete with daddy issues, Never Back Down is a slight refinement of the sort of picture that was ascendant in the '80s... [Blu-Ray]
08/05/08
People that actually think the trailer looks cool will probably like the movie enough and it does have some cool fights, I just couldn't get past the fact that the movie gave you no one to root for.
06/18/08
While both [this movie and "Karate Kid"] are unintentionally hilarious, the difference is no one will remember "Never Back Down" in two weeks, let alone 20 years.
06/11/08
The acting is hammy, Djimon Hounsou shows up to give the flick a corny air of Karate Kid and there's nothing particularly original about the whole premise but somehow it works. It must be those abs. Or the kicks to them.
04/15/08
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04/08/08
The Karate Kid meets Fight Club but it's no way near as good as it sounds.
04/04/08
The result is an entertaining roller coaster of emotions and actions, with Djimon Hounsou bringing dignity and meaning to his role as Jean, the martial arts coach with his own demons to conquer
03/28/08
If you think about what this film is saying, the superficiality is overwhelming.
03/25/08
Even for the trashy sub-genre it belongs to, "Never Back Down" is sadly just lazy action pablum as will the five Straight to DVD sequels be. I'll just stick to "Karate Kid"...
03/23/08
Amid all this conventional-plotty mishmash, it's not a newsflash that the role of Jean, the tireless, morally upright and vaguely spiritual mentor, is especially grating.
03/21/08
A cross between "The Karate Kid" and "Fight Club," though without the A-list cast. That's right, the A-list cast. When compared to the D-listers assembled in "Back Down," Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio might as well be A-list.
03/19/08
Movie is dopey. And with its emphasis on stupid violence, xylophone abs, and getting yourself on YouTube, it's yet another product that makes you feel bad about today's youth culture.
03/19/08
Top Critic
Maybe it’s just a genre picture, but scene after scene in Never Back Down displays vitality and wit. This is the year’s first good-looking and fully enjoyable American movie.
03/19/08
When I think of tough fighters the first thing I think is Disney World. You can take so much of that place before you want to go and beat the heck out of someone.
03/17/08
If you thought the problem with Step Up 2: The Streets was that there weren't enough kicks to the head, this virtual remake is for you.
03/17/08
Compulsively watchable...there's always something viscerally exciting about watching kung fu fighters whaling on each other.
03/17/08
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