"Never Back Down This Summer’s Guilty Pleasure"

Never Back Down tells a wonderful story about a kid in his teen’s named Jake Tyler (Sean Farris). Jake is trying to cope with the death of his father. Jake need’s an outlet for his anger. At first it was High School football tackling as his role as star lineman in Iowa. This is until his younger brother Charlie (Wyatt Smith) is offered a chance to play tennis in Orlando. Jake and his family try and start fresh in Orlando. Jake’s mother Margot (Leslie Hope) try’s to keep the family together, due to the tough loss of Jake’s father in a car accident.

At Jake’s first day of High School he instantly develops a crush on beautiful Baja Miller (Amber Heard), and meet’s Max (Evan Peters). Max tells him all about this underground high school fight club. Max is Jake’s good friend and sidekick throughout the movie. The real action starts though after Baja invites him to a pool party, and Jake accepts. This is where Jake meet’s Ryan Baja’s boyfriend (Cam Gigandet). The phrase “Never Back Down”, really starts to develop its meaning. Bully Ryan who only get’s joy out of hurting other people, gives Jake a beat down in front of everyone at the party causing utter humiliation.

Max then convinces Jake to start training and seek revenge on Ryan. To do this he suggests to Jake that he should train with Jean Roqua (Djimon Hounsou). Real chemistry develops between these two character’s Jake and Jean and they become great friends. During Jake’s training you get a real look at what it takes to become a great fighter using your hands and your feet. In they end you get to see Jake and Ryan battle for it all. This scene takes place at a club in Orlando where fighters duke it out called the Beat Down. Jake reminds us all that everyone has one fight in them that we need to carry out. You also get to see Jake and Baja relationship expand into something more then just a friendship.

I really enjoyed watching this movie because of its hip and note worthy soundtrack from such acts as The Bravery, and 12 Stones, and Lil Wayne & Chammilonaire. I also enjoyed seeing standout performances from Jake (Sean Fairs) and Ryan (Cam Gigandet) who reminds me a lot of a young Brad Pitt. So sit back relax and rent this summer’s guilty pleasure Never Back Down delivers on all cylinders.


Overall 3and1/2 stars




Notable Stars: Sean Farris: (Jake Tyler)
Amber Heard (Baja Miller) Known from “Pineapple Express”
Cam Gigandet: Ryan McCarthy: Known for “The OC’s” Bad Boy
Directed By: Jeff Wadlow


Running Time 1 hour 53 minutes
Summit Entertainment