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| Cast: Sean Faris, Amber Heard, Djimon Hounsou, Cam Gigandet, Evan Peters, Leslie Hope |
| Running Time: 113 minutes |
The Plot:
Reeling from the feeling of responsibility for his father's death, Jake is just looking for a little consistency in his life. When he and his family move to Miami, his sudden befriendment by a beautiful girl makes his think that this might be a place to call home. However, like everyone else, his new 'friend' has ulterior motives as she tricks Jake into attending a party where her boyfriend will be able to give Jake the ultimate smack down. Humiliated by the fight, Jake turns to a mixed martial arts master in hopes of training and becoming a more intelligent fighter. In the end, Jake is taught more than fighting moves. Additionally, the once moody and defensive guy transforms into a more controlled and understanding man; one that allows him to look at his own life and make decision for himself and not for the sake of revenge or hatred. |
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The Movie:
While I am always skeptical about films that contain teens, fights and a sense of discovery, I must admit that I was thoroughly impressed with Never Back Down. Sure the story was pretty simple and the path to a new found respect for oneself was simple, but the fight sequences were so strong and intense that I couldn't resist getting wrapped up in the film's story and characters; which is a feat for this type of film.
Sean Fairs, who makes his acting debut in this film, does a brilliant job at bringing reserved and angry Jake to life. Using his body language and over-the-top delivery, Faris is able to capture the moment with his character, never revealing too much and keeping both his intensions and his actions a complete mystery.
Additionally, Amber Heard and Cam Gigandet round out the cast of teen stars as Baja and Ryan, a power couple at Jake's new school. Though their parts are supportive, they allow Faris to feed off them perfectly, creating a strong triad of central characters.
However, it wasn't really their acting talents that helped me to enjoy the film. Instead, it was the slick and powerful choreography that comprised their intense fight sequences. From the punches to the sidekicks to the eye gouging, the fights had it all and more, pumping up your own adrenaline and making your heart race as if you were really there in the flesh.
Not to be outdone, two veteran actors in Leslie Hope and Djimon Hounsou give stellar supporting performances as Jake's mother and trainer. Together, each brings a sense of composure and normalcy to the film, providing an even balance between both the fighting and the home life that really allows the film to flow peacefully. |
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The Extras:
Deleted Scenes (13:25): This feature contains a handful of scenes, all introduced by director Jeff Wadlow, that were not shown in the final cut of the film. Sadly, nothing amazing is shown here as all the scenes just elaborate on what was left in the original version.
Mix it Up: Bringing MMA to the Big Screen (10:15): This segment dives into the history of MMA (mixed martial arts) and the rigorous training that the actors had to do in order to play their parts.
Alternate Angle Fight Mode: This special feature allows viewers to watch the numerous fight sequences from an alternate angle than what was shown in the original film.
Blow by Blow: Breaking Down the Fights (1:43:36): This feature is an audio commentary of the fight sequences that are shown throughout the entire film. However, this segment allows the scenes to be paused and rewound, giving the commentators the ability to break down and dissect each move that comprises each fight. |
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The Verdict:
While it does suffer from a mediocre script and a lacking plot line, Never Back Down resurrects itself with its intense fight sequences and hardcore training. Additionally, the Blu-Ray version is able to showcase its strong soundtrack and slick moves; propelling it from a rent to buy status. Oh, and the handful of decent bonus features help, but are unfortunately not crucial to this film's overall purchase formula. |
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