This Movie Has It All

Rating: 10/10 (5 March 2008)

Before writing "Never Back Down" off as a retread of already covered territory: think "The Karate Kid" meets "Friday Night Lights" with ultimate fighting as a background, think of the elements that made those movies so great: fully fleshed out character who audiences can relate to and themes of pride and fighting for valor. Ulimately, this is what makes this such a winning film.
"Never Back Down" centers on Jake Tyler (Sean Faris), a teen who has been in his fair share of trouble. When his family moves to Orlando to further the career of his aspiring tennis player brother, Charlie (played winningly by Wyatt Smith). Suddenly a fish out of water, Jake quickly befriends Max (Evan Peterswho plays the best friend/comic relief role perfectly) who is trying to get in with the ultimate fighting circle of their school.
This brings Jake into the eyesight of Ryan McCarthy, the big man on campus. Soon Jake has to make a stand to protect his pride and those he cares about.
Faris plays Jake with so convincingly and with great heart. Whether it's fighting scenes with Cam Gigandet (who plays Ryan with simmering rage and menace that you can't help but be afraid for Jake) or big brother scenes with Wyatt Smith (who plays the youngest Tyler) Faris shows the well-roundedness of this character.
Another great relationship is between Jake and his trainer Jean Roqua (Djimon Hounsou in another outstanding performance). Roqua, who has his own demons to battle, learns from his student as he teaches.
Aside from the intense and exhilarating fight sequences, amazing camera work and the most perfectly suited soundtrack, what this film has going for it is its sensibility. Unlike other "teen" movies, you immediately understand that the writer is not trying to create an idea that the teen life depicted is the norm, but reflective of these specific teens. It creates for a relatability that is usually absent from most teen films.
If for some reason this film does not find an audience in the movie theaters, I believe when it's released on DVD, it will become a cult hit.