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.
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.
– Gregory Kirschling,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 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:
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
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:
Towering above all is Hounsou, whose performance grants Never Back Down a measure of dignity.