Never Back DownMovie Reviews

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Avg. Critic Score: 39 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
13 Iffy for 13+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 70
    The Hollywood Reporter |

    Although the movie set in the hot new arena of mixed martial arts is a bit short on star power, it's energetic and warm-hearted enough to become a word-of-mouth hit. Read full review

  • 63
    Boston Globe | Wesley Morris

    The movie is just a cheesy, preposterous, semi-eroticized way of yelling, "Fight! Fight!," when two people go at it in the school cafeteria. Read full review

  • 60
    Variety |

    Best part, though, is the cast: Everyone's a model, everyone beats each other half to death, and no one looks as if they've ever suffered so much as a coldsore. Read full review

  • 50
    San Francisco Chronicle | Ruthe Stein

    A junior version of "Fight Club," only with no movie stars and different moves. Read full review

  • 50
    Austin Chronicle | Steve Davis

    Borrows from other movies almost shamelessly. Read full review

  • 50
    Los Angeles Times | Jan Stuart

    A disposable sports drama. Read full review

  • 50
    New York Daily News |

    By the time ever-noble, ever-watchable Djimon Hounsou shows up to teach earnest young Jake honor and roundhouse kicks, the power-rock and smashmouth idiocy become like a fever dream, sweaty and hard to shake off. Read full review

  • 30
    The New York Times | Jeannette Catsoulis

    The movie speeds up and slows down as though controlled by a director in the grip of competing medications. For those who make it to the final beatdown, however, the only pill worth taking is the one that makes you forget. Read full review

  • 25
    Entertainment Weekly |

    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. Read full review

  • 20
    Washington Post | Desson Thomson

    Sitting through this is groan-inducing enough, but it's spiritually depressing to watch Djimon Hounsou, who deserves better. Read full review

View more reviews for Never Back Down on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 13+ Bloody fight film has heart, but it's no champion.
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.
  • 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?
The good stuff
  • message true0 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.
What to watch for
  • violence false5 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 false0 Sex: Some kissing and sexual innuendoes. Some skimpy outfits.
  • language false3 Language: "Bulls--t," "ass," and "bitch." Some trash talk during fights.
  • consumerism false3 Consumerism: Mentions of YouTube, logos for Pepsi and Mustang GT. Students are shown toting around iPhones and digital cameras.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and 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.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

Looking for more reviews? Movies.com Critics Say:

Dave White

2.5

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… it's got its moves down … Read full review See Dave White's on MOVIENAME on Movies.com

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