James Croot The Post NZ Mar 16, 2023

Once again Wadlow does his best to keep a tired-looking format looking fresh with plenty of camera trickery and CSI-style anatomy lessons to liven up the fight scenes. Unfortunately, his good work is undermined by the cast's perfect teeth

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Hank Sartin Time Out Nov 17, 2011 2/5

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S. Jhoanna Robledo Common Sense Media Dec 31, 2010 2/5

Bloody fight film has heart, but it's no champion.

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Peter Bradshaw Guardian Oct 18, 2008 1/5

A naive and truly obnoxious movie about the world of Mixed Martial Arts.

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Steve Davis Austin Chronicle Oct 18, 2008 2.5/5

While the character of Jake isn't an emotionally taxing one, Faris has his moments, especially in a low-key scene in which he attempts to explain why his character is full of rage.

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Tenley Woodman Boston Herald Oct 18, 2008 F

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Jeff Bayer The Scorecard Review Aug 27, 2008 7/10

Here's what I hoped for: someone to root for, someone to root against, an inspiring coach, some eye candy and, of course, training montages. I got what I wanted.

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Peter Canavese Groucho Reviews Aug 5, 2008 2/4

A sort of teenage Fight Club, complete with daddy issues, Never Back Down is a slight refinement of the sort of picture that was ascendant in the '80s... [Blu-Ray]

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Tim Grierson Screen International Jul 23, 2008

A generic, violent underdog story that pays a lot of lip service to non-violence when its characters aren't busy kicking and punching the tar out of each other.

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Austin Kennedy Sin Magazine Jun 18, 2008 2/4

People that actually think the trailer looks cool will probably like the movie enough and it does have some cool fights, I just couldn't get past the fact that the movie gave you no one to root for.

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Stephen Silver The Trend Jun 11, 2008 1.5/5

While both [this movie and "Karate Kid"] are unintentionally hilarious, the difference is no one will remember "Never Back Down" in two weeks, let alone 20 years.

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Mike Sage Peterborough This Week Apr 15, 2008 2.5/5

The acting is hammy, Djimon Hounsou shows up to give the flick a corny air of Karate Kid and there's nothing particularly original about the whole premise but somehow it works. It must be those abs. Or the kicks to them.

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Matt McNally BBC.com Apr 8, 2008 2/5

Come back Mr Miyagi, all is forgiven.

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Orlando Parfitt IGN Movies UK Apr 4, 2008 2.5/5

A cliché-ridden guilty pleasure.

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Nick De Semlyen Empire Magazine Apr 4, 2008 2/5

The Karate Kid meets Fight Club but it's no way near as good as it sounds.

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Matthew Turner ViewLondon Apr 3, 2008 3/5

Enjoyably trashy teen flick that plays like a dumbed-down version of Fight Club, enlivened by an engaging lead performance by star-in-the-making Sean Faris.

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Urban Cinefile Critics Urban Cinefile Mar 28, 2008

The result is an entertaining roller coaster of emotions and actions, with Djimon Hounsou bringing dignity and meaning to his role as Jean, the martial arts coach with his own demons to conquer

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Jim Lane Sacramento News & Review Mar 25, 2008 2/5

Jeff Wadlow's direction is disorderly.

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Rich Cline Shadows on the Wall Mar 25, 2008 2.5/5

If you think about what this film is saying, the superficiality is overwhelming.

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Felix Vasquez Jr. Film Threat Mar 23, 2008 2/5

Even for the trashy sub-genre it belongs to, "Never Back Down" is sadly just lazy action pablum as will the five Straight to DVD sequels be. I'll just stick to "Karate Kid"...

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