Never Back Down parents guide

Never Back Down Parent Guide

Overall D-

It seems too good to be true when a hot babe (Amber Heard) invites new kid Jake Tyler (Sean Faris) to a party --and it is. Instead of being a guest, it turns out he's only there to act as a punching bag for the girl's tough-guy boyfriend (Cam Gigandet). Determined to get even with the bully, Jake finds a mentor (Djimon Hounsou) and starts training in Mixed Martial Arts.

Release date March 13, 2008

Violence D
Sexual Content C
Profanity C-
Substance Use C-

Why is Never Back Down rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Never Back Down PG-13 for mature thematic material involving intense sequences of fighting/violence, some sexuality, partying and language -- all involving teens.

Parent Movie Review

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. 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.

Jake Tyler (Sean Faris) is unwittingly lured in after moving into a new school. 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. His opponent is Ryan McCarthy (Cam Gigandet), the stereotypical rich kid with more cash than common sense.

After 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. A few days later, Max introduces Jake to Jean Roqua (Djimon Hounsou), a former professional combatant who trains students in mixed martial arts. 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.

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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

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 portrayal of unsanctioned violence is made worse by the swarms of taunting teens egging on the rivals.

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. Nor are parents likely to find anything entertaining about this negligent and dangerous falsehood. 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.

Starring Sean Faris, Djimon Hounsou, Amber Heard, Cam Gigandet.. Theatrical release March 13, 2008. Updated

Never Back Down
Rating & Content Info

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.

The violent portrayals of mixed martial arts in this teen film include kicking, repeated punches, pain-inflicting holds and choking. Bloody injuries and lacerations along with the indication of injured ribs are shown. Posting these brawls on the Internet for entertainment is also portrayed. While combat clubs enforce some discipline on their students, the street fights and displays of road rage are complete free-for-alls with victims being slammed against the ground, into car mirrors or viciously kicked in the head. While most adults are either absent or ineffective in this film, the sponsors of underground fight contests will likely benefit from the promotion of this teen violence. Barely-clad teen females become little more than set decoration or sexual diversions for the boys, as when two girls are shown passionately kissing in a hot tub at a weekend party. A brief homosexual comment is made and a heterosexual teen couple is seen kissing and rolling (clothed) on a bedroom floor. Teens drink at a house party and also in a club setting. Repeated moderate expletives and a term of Deity are used in the script. During training, two boys drink raw eggs.

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Never Back Down Parents' Guide

“The Beat Down” is a competition meant to determine the best fighter and bring an end to the conflict between Jake and Ryan. However, what is the likelihood that this would happen? How easy is it to walk away from violence?

Jean Roqua offers a disciplined place for boys to train and develop their skills. What is the importance of mentors in the lives of teens? How can adults or peers positively influence others?

What impact might a film like this have on the popularity of fight clubs? Do you think directors or others involved in the production of movies be held accountable in any way? What methods do they use to glamorize these activities?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Never Back Down movie is July 28, 2008. Here are some details…

DVD Release Date: 29 July 2008

Never Back Down releases to DVD with deleted and extended scenes and an audio commentary with the director and cast. Audio tracks are available in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround (English), with subtitles in English (SDH) and Spanish.

Related home video titles:

Violent clashes are frequent themes in movies aimed at teens. In the movie Freedom Writers, a new teacher helps students, who are involved in interracial conflicts involving guns and gangs, find an alternative outlet by recording their life experiences in journals. Like Jean Roqua, a high school basketball coach mentors a team of troubled hoopsters by demanding discipline and achievement off the court as well as on in Coach Carter.