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Never Back Down (PG-13, 2008)

common sense media says

Bloody fight film has heart, but it's no champion.

parents & educators say
  • 33% say violence is an issue
See all 14 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this action-drama is very much a fight film -- it's filled with brutal, gory scenes of men (and women, too) engaged in physical combat. They punch, kick, and choke each other, and there's plenty of cuts, bruises, and blood. There's also some swearing ("s--t," "bitch") and underage drinking (though viewers don't see actual liquor, the red plastic cups the teens hold are clearly full of alcohol). In many scenes, women and men wear nothing but bikinis and swim trunks, and there's some kissing and a little innuendo.

Positive messages: Teens videotape others while they fight, sometimes cheering them on, even though one or both could end up severely injured. One character relishes hurting others. But there are also some great examples of loyalty and friendship, as well as a supportive sibling relationship. And Jake learns the value of walking away from fights.
Violence: A barrage of brawls that leave participants bloodied and, in some cases, severely injured. Lots of close-ups of kicks and punches and their bloody aftermath. The big climax is a major "beat down."
Sex: Some kissing and sexual innuendoes. Some skimpy outfits.
Language: "Bulls--t," "ass," and "bitch." Some trash talk during fights.
Consumerism: Mentions of YouTube, logos for Pepsi and Mustang GT. Students are shown toting around iPhones and digital cameras.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: At a party, teens are shown holding red plastic cups, implying that they're drinking beer. In another scene, an adult offers teenagers a drink.
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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why Jake feels compelled to fight. How does his approach to fighting change from the beginning to the end? What lessons does he learn from his mentor? How does he show that he's learned them? Does Jake teach Jean anything? Why are there so many movies about fighting? What's the attraction? How do you know who's the "good" guy and who's the "bad" guy in movies like this? Is that realistic?

What's the story?

What's the story?
After his father dies in a car accident, leaving him saddled with survivor's guilt, high school student Jake Tyler (Sean Faris) is barely able to control his rage. A move from Iowa to Florida with his mother and brother offers him a fresh start, but it's quickly ruined when the school's top brawler, Ryan (Cam Gigandet), baits Jake into an ugly fight that he loses -- miserably. Enter Jean Roqua (Djimon Hounsou), the mixed-martial arts guru whom Jake seeks out for guidance and training. With Jean's help, Jake may be able to tame his inner demons for good.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Fight movies have their place in cinematic history. (Rocky, anyone?) Done right, they manage to capture the humanity in the brutality, the poetry in the punch. But NEVER BACK DOWN doesn't; the cuts are so quick that you can't appreciate any technique. And though, like better sports films, the film does attempt to reveal the internal struggles that fuel the physical ones, it does so with overly broad strokes. There's little nuance or complication and so many fight scenes that when the movie finally gets to the big beat down, it's almost anti-climactic -- it just feels like yet another battle. The movie's also riddled with cliches; there's a supportive girlfriend, a funny sidekick, mantras ("Control the outcome"), and even a race between the mentor and the mentee that's a straight rip-off of Rocky.

Director Jeff Wadlow does manage to drum up some excitement by letting the action unspool with a light touch. The script isn't memorable, but the dialogue is believable, and star Faris is blessed with an easy smile and a likable swagger. And Hounsou, though he delivers a one-note performance, is still fun to watch.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Summit Entertainment
Director: Jeff Wadlow
Cast: Cam Gigandet, Djimon Hounsou, Sean Faris
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 113 minutes
Theatrical release: March 14, 2008
DVD release: July 28, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: mature thematic material involving intense sequences of fighting/violence, some sexuality, partying and language - all involving teens.
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This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 
 

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What parents & educators say

16
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say violence is an issue
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Most useful reviews by all members

mrjoe94
teen, 17 years old
12
 
Good god people are sensitive here. If your son/daughter has seen a UFC fight on TV they've passed the test to see this movie. Also people mis-interpret the films plot. Someone gets beat up, kid wants to learn to defend himself from an MMA fighter, so he finds someone willing to train him. Fights guy at the end and wins. Sure it's a Karate Kid ripoff but its a good one. (in my opinion) The kid only fought in self-defense. (and the fact the Fighter would not stop beating up people until he fought him)
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hahaha
adult
 
I loved this movie!!!
If you thought step up was good well let me just sau that was nothing bvest MOVIE EVERRRR!!!!! EVERYONE GO SEE IT.....ITS ABSOLUTLEY AMAZING MOVIE ITS Funny THRILLING AND ALLOT OF ACTION AND HOT GUYS AND HOTT GIRLS!!!! OMGGGGG!!!!!!! IT WAS BEST MOVIE EVER GO SEE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
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savvyanna13
teen, 17 years old
 
A great movie for all teens!!!
Omg i luved this movie and i didn't think that i would. I went to the theaters with my friends one night and didn't know if it was worth the price, but as i began to watch it totally was. There were some really hot guys and great fighting scenes. There were a couple of swear words but nothing above b--ch and many people have said that two girls make out in a hot tub that is tru but they show a backup shot for like 2 seconds, if youve seen others pg-13 then you have scene it before. the violence wasn't that bad for a fighting movie. all over i'd say 12+. Great movie
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Brooke Williams
teen, 17 years old
12
 
Never Back Down keeps you on the edge of your seat and has not one boring moment; it is a great movie for young adults, both male and female. The main character in this movie is new in town and has to prove he is worthy of being in his new location. He does this by defeating the bad boy in school in a UFC style fight. Although, it does not come easy for him, he trains hard to accomplish his goal. Like every fighting movie, there are a lot of punches being thrown, which should not be seen by younger viewers. In most, if not all movies, there are some romantic scenes. This movie has one particular scene of romance that might not be suitable for younger viewers. This movie does have a few scenes where the characters curse, which isn’t always necessary. I feel this movie could do without the cursing and be just as great. This movie teaches a great lesson, which is the title itself, Never Back Down from your dreams.
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Chickielee
teen, 15 years old
 
BEWARE THE PG-13 RATING!!!
The violence-for-fun mentality of this movie was disturbing and NOT PG-13, the girls kissing in a hot tub covered only in bubbles with boys recording it wasn't PG-13 and the fixing-to-have-sex close-ups of the "teenage girl" lead's cleavage were not PG-13. The physical damage the good guy did to innocent men and not going to prison for it was VERY hard to explain to my son. NOT for children under 17. For adults, it had a pretty decent story. The way they managed to fill us in on the characters' back stories was quite clever and effective. The actors were, to me, unfamiliar and I was quite impressed with them all. All in all, I felt extremely uncomfortable having my 12 year old son, who can normally take just about anything. If you like crunching bones and severe gore for fun, this is the movie for you - not kids!
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Angel FBI Profiler
teen, 16 years old
15
 
this movie was awesome,so if your young and mature my advice WACTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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northcuttjj
teen, 16 years old
12
 
Some swearing and brief make out scene, but the real thing here is the violence. The thing about this movie that makes it violent is the fact that several of the violent acts are used on a helpless person. Ex: A guy who is trapped in a headlock gets pummled with elbow attacks until he submits
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slovesdogs2000
kid, 11 years old
13
 
Bloody Film
I like the movie but there is two girls making out in a hot tub, lots of cussing, and ALOOOOT of fighting. Bloody fighting.
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Megara103
kid, 13 years old
 
A Must See For All
I loved it. It's A movie I would like to watch over and over
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Schulkman
adult
 
Do teenagers need more negative influences?
Even though this movie does have some redeeming value, I believe it is not appropriate for ages 13-15. It should have been rated R. I do not like the fact that my 13 year old daughter could go buy a ticket and see this "fight-club" movie. This movie contains girls fighting girls, girls fighting boys and boys fighting boys- sometimes to the extreme of sending someone to the hospital or kids passing out. The fight scenes are long and drawn out and the kids watching definately cheer the action on. They all want to see blood. It's sick. Note: there is a scene w/ 2 girls in a hot tub making out with each other. Also, numerous gratuitous shots of girls' breasts in a number of situations. Not a feel-good uplifting film! Definately one for the "boys".
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andy45
teen, 14 years old
13
 
Jake FTW
True, Jake beat up the guys in the yellow hummer. In my opinion they deserved it. THEY called him a "tough guy" and "fa***t" to his face, so they deserved the fight. The message isn't "glorifying violence"!!!!! DID YOU WATCH THE MOVIE??? that's the POINT! the shield of Achilles! That's the pinnacle point of the movie, yet you still say it glorifies violence!!! did you notice the look Jake and the other guy share in the end? they have respect for each other. plain and simple. AMAZING movie. Really gets your blood pumping
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Spielberg00
teen, 14 years old
10
 
Sometimes boring, but overall pretty good...
My rating: PG [borderline with PG-13] for some sports-related violence, brief language and sensuality.
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aaronmichaellogan
educator
16
 
Nauseating
This movie glorified violence, plain and simple. The lesson to be learned (by teenage boys) was that the guy who delivers the bloodiest beating gets the respect, and the girl. Great message. I watched this movie with a group of about 20 teenage boys and they absolutely loved it. It made me nauseous.
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PTV
teen, 14 years old
12
 
it just like karete kid
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