Once again Wadlow does his best to keep a tired-looking format looking fresh with plenty of camera trickery and CSI-style anatomy lessons to liven up the fight scenes. Unfortunately, his good work is undermined by the cast's perfect teeth

| Mar 16, 2023

| Original Score: C | Feb 14, 2012

| Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 17, 2011

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

| Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 31, 2010

A naive and truly obnoxious movie about the world of Mixed Martial Arts.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Oct 18, 2008

While the character of Jake isn't an emotionally taxing one, Faris has his moments, especially in a low-key scene in which he attempts to explain why his character is full of rage.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Oct 18, 2008

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Oct 18, 2008

| Original Score: F | Oct 18, 2008

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.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Aug 27, 2008

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]

| Original Score: 2/4 | Aug 5, 2008

A generic, violent underdog story that pays a lot of lip service to non-violence when its characters aren't busy kicking and punching the tar out of each other.

Full Review | Jul 23, 2008

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.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Jun 18, 2008

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.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5 | Jun 11, 2008

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.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Apr 15, 2008

Come back Mr Miyagi, all is forgiven.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 8, 2008

A cliché-ridden guilty pleasure.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Apr 4, 2008

The Karate Kid meets Fight Club but it's no way near as good as it sounds.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 4, 2008

Enjoyably trashy teen flick that plays like a dumbed-down version of Fight Club, enlivened by an engaging lead performance by star-in-the-making Sean Faris.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 3, 2008

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

| Mar 28, 2008

Jeff Wadlow's direction is disorderly.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Mar 25, 2008