Jake, full of anger after his father's death, is just starting to find a place for himself at his new Orlando high school - until Ryan, head of an underground MMA fight club, picks Jake out as a prime opponent. After being trounced by Ryan in front of the entire school, Jake begins training under the firm, moral guidance of a MMA master, where he learns how to fight... and how to avoid a fight. But it becomes obvious that a rematch will be inevitable if Jake wants to stop Ryan and his bullying, once and for all.
Towering above all is Hounsou, whose performance grants Never Back Down a measure of dignity.
– Tom Keogh,
Seattle Times,
14 Mar 2008
rotten:
The eternal battle between the hot-but-arrogant blond and the hot-and-likable brunet continues on new turf in the almost gleefully bad Never Back Down.
– Hank Sartin,
Time Out New York,
14 Mar 2008
rotten:
It's a little Karate Kid, a smidge of Fight Club...a lot of The O.C. (evil boy Gigandet played an evil boy on that series), and presto: probable hit.
– Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar 2008
fresh:
I laughed so much at the litany of cliches that I finally had to admit I was entertained from start to finish by this cheesy knock-off.
– Richard Roeper,
Ebert & Roeper,
17 Mar 2008
rotten:
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.