So many fights, so little fighting

Rating: 5/10 (9 August 2008)

As a fight fan, I had hoped for some good fight scenes, but instead it was all fast camera cuts, peppy music and unbelievable action.
Say what you like about Bruce Lee, but at least he (or Chan) could actually fight - even if the films glammed it up a bit. It's kind of insulting when all three stars in a film about fighting have no actual fighting ability, depending instead, completely on camera work to create the illusion. I know it's acting, but couldn't we find someone who could actually fight.
That being said, you'd be hard pushed to find any fighter with the ability that these high school kids supposedly displayed.
I have a limited knowledge of MMA fighting, but it seemed to me that most of the non-revenge fights seemed to go to variations of the same lame arm bar. Ironically, not one that seems to finish many UFC or Pride fights...
I realise that a critique of the film's fighting authenticity is somewhat narrow, but that is its raison d'etre.
I could criticise the farcically throw-away quality of the sub-plots involving the lead's deceased father, or adoring kid brother, or mother who seems a bit short on understanding given their situation.
The villain has enough texture to avoid complete stereotyping, and in spite of its many shortcomings, Never back down is far from unwatchable.