Bloody injuries and lacerations along with the indication of injured ribs are shown. The violent portrayals of mixed martial arts in this teen film include kicking, repeated punches, pain-inflicting holds and choking. Why is Never Back Down rated PG-13? Never Back Down is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for mature thematic material involving intense sequences of fighting/violence, some sexuality, partying and language - all involving teens. Starring Sean Faris, Djimon Hounsou, Amber Heard, Cam Gigandet. Rather than giving youth an alternative method to deal with their anger or teaching them to use their physical strength and skills in more positive ways, this slugfest is more reminiscent of Gladiator than Karate Kid. Nor are parents likely to find anything entertaining about this negligent and dangerous falsehood. When in reality a single punch to the head can cause death, this film glamorizes underground fight clubs without any consequences such as serious injury, fatalities or legal ramifications. The portrayal of unsanctioned violence is made worse by the swarms of taunting teens egging on the rivals. Set to a pounding musical score, these no holds barred brawls employ grappling, kicking, head butts, pummeling fists and chokeholds that sometimes result in the victim losing consciousness. The results of these battles are often only bloody noses and a few facial lacerations, which hardly seems realistic considering the vicious nature of these encounters. More like illegal cockfights, these scraps take place underneath the football bleachers at school, in upscale mansions where parents are conveniently absent or on the beach during parties. While the UFC may be under pressure to enforce stricter regulations, these high school clashes don’t come close to imposing any rules for combat. Full of flesh, fights and fiction, the script becomes little more than a promotional vehicle for mixed martial arts competitions such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Unfortunately, Never Back Down is an irresponsible portrayal of ruthless violence and excessive partying in a teen culture where money and expensive accessories draw a line between rich and poor. For a moment, it looks as though Jean might be a voice of wisdom amid the cries of “fight, fight, fight.” But even this mentor fails to impart enough reason to keep Jake out of the ring. A few days later, Max introduces Jake to Jean Roqua (Djimon Hounsou), a former professional combatant who trains students in mixed martial arts. His opponent is Ryan McCarthy (Cam Gigandet), the stereotypical rich kid with more cash than common sense.Īfter being brutally beaten, Jake is dragged back home by the shaggy-haired Max Cooperman (Evan Peters), a fellow student who is constantly shooting new material to upload on the Internet. Angry about life and his family’s recent arrival in Orlando, he is provoked into a match at a weekend bash populated with bikini-wearing female eye candy, beer guzzling teens and adolescent girls involved in sexual exhibitions. Jake Tyler (Sean Faris) is unwittingly lured in after moving into a new school. But that likely won’t deter many teens from wanting to see this flick that stars two handsome young actors and enough swimsuits to outfit an entire cruise ship. And Hounsou, though he delivers a one-note performance, is still fun to watch.The jury may still be out on the definition of sport-especially when the sole objective is to beat your opponent to a pulp without the interference of protective gear or referees. The script isn't memorable, but the dialogue is believable, and star Faris is blessed with an easy smile and a likable swagger. 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.ĭirector Jeff Wadlow does manage to drum up some excitement by letting the action unspool with a light touch. 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. 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. The cuts are so quick that you can't appreciate any technique. Fight movies have their place in cinematic history ( Rocky, anyone?) done right, they manage to capture the humanity in the brutality and the poetry in the punch, but NEVER BACK DOWN doesn't.
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