Never Back Down

Blu-ray Review

Summit Entertainment

Released: July 29, 2008

Never Back Down tries to focus on the newfound popularity of mixed martial arts, with things such as the UFC and other organizations growing in popularity among teenagers. The film, from Summit Entertainment, has been released on the Blu-ray format, and aims at its core audience with over-the-top fight scenes, among other aspects.

Unfortunately for Never Back Down, the film really has a hard time with the whole idea of having to tell a story. The idea behind the film focuses on a teenage boy who moved to Florida with his mother and brother.

His mom moved the boy there to try to get him away from the fighting and rough life he was living in the past.

The problem though is that once he arrives at his new home, his reputation carries over due to his fights which are posted on the internet.

He quickly gets into a fight with a rich kid named Ryan (Cam Gigandet), who beats him down badly, destroying his reputation.

From there, the boy Jake (Sean Faris) seeks out the health of a martial arts expert so that he can go back and challenge Ryan. This all comes after Jake falls for a girl (Amber Heard).

The film clearly has an MTV-style set-up to it from director Jeff Wadlow, as some of the way the story plays out on-screen just off.

The biggest plus for this film is that the fight scenes between Sean Faris and Cam Gigandet are absolutely phenomenal. There is a reason the film received an MTV Movie Award for Best Fight, these guys are it.

For a story, there is very little here. If you are a fan of mixed martial arts though, the fight scenes may make this worth watching.

The video quality for Never Back Down is presented in 1080p and is very sharp. The highlight of the video quality has to be the way it works in the black levels, as the film sets a very underground atmosphere, and delivers.

The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio, and does a great job of allowing the fight scenes to take precedent and fill up your home theater.

The audio and musical soundtrack are also presented nicely for the younger crowd.

In regards to extras, there are quite a few things added into this "Extended Beat Down Edition."

Starting things off, you get 11 deleted and extended scenes, which include added content for the fighting fans out there to enjoy.

Beyond that, you also get features geared towards fight fans allowing you to enter an alternate angle fight mode, as well as to watch how the fights get broken down nfurther.

Rounding out the extras include an audio commentary track by Jeff Wadlow, Sean Faris and Chris Hauty, as well as a 10-minute featurette with interviews with the cast and others.

Never Back Down is not a great film by any means, but it does succeed in attracting the mixed martial arts fans out there with quality fight scenes. I would not recommend this for a full-out purchase, but worth a rental for fight fans

.

Film: 6.0

The fight scenes are well-done, but nothing else here really works.

Video: 9.0

A great video transfer on Blu-ray, amazing atmosphere is set with the dark scenes and such.

Audio: 8.0

A very nice audio mix on Blu-ray which presents the fights, dialogue, and music well.

Special Features: 8.0

A nice set of extras here which are sure to please mixed martial arts fans out there.

Final Score: 7.5