Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown

The first "Never Back Down" was a MTV inspired version of "Karate Tiger meets Beverly Hills 90210" with a lot of good looking kids (Amber Heard being one of them), some nice fight and training sequences and tons of bad acting and a cheesy script. Never Back Down 2 offers more of the same. Instead of suffering trough the "emotional journey" of one character, the focus is on 4 of them, everyone's motivations and storyline being a thin as the piece of paper, that one characters is hitting for 80 minutes (don't ask, watch it and you'll know). However the fights and training montages are great (especially the sequences with MJW, moving impressively fluid for a guy of his size, and the rad capoeira dances of Meraz) and MJW is as charismatic as ever in this underwritten role as a mentor with a troubled past. Overall the movie is enjoyable if you're not expecting too much and are a fan of MMA-related movies or of cheesy, "so bad that it's fun" 80's karate flicks.

Just an action movie, without trying to be melodramatic. Yes, it's about 5 guys (including the mentor) with personal problems that seek the answer in training and fighting. There's not much background on the characters - but it's not necessarily bad. Sometimes the director is forcefully trying to make us like some character by making him/her an orphan, or raised by only one parent, or evil step parents, and also having an ill sibling, and no money of course. Did I mention that other kids/people trying to step on them, beat them, or kill them perhaps ?

There is no much character development in the movie, maybe except of Justin, but there is character portrayal. It's not hard to understand what kind of person each (and here I think that Michael Jay White did a great job). They all have got problems, but it's not like their world is collapsing on them. At least their not showing it to us - and I think that's good, since the fighter in them becomes more believable that way.

I agree that the acting is slightly wooden. And it's irritating at first, though I did get accustomed to it. Surprisingly, it's not full of clichés (though there are some), and the dialogs are not stupid, because the characters don't say obvious things.

The fighting is satisfying enough. After all, this is the reason I've watched that movie.

I certainly disagree with those saying first Never Back Down was better. This movie has almost no plot, but the first one was just stupid. The director of the original tried to make me like Jack Tyler by the usual trick - making him miserable but struggling. And Cam Giganet's character is barely watchable. He's just not acting like a fighter. The other fighters look more like a clowns. Fight choreography in the original is nowhere near this one. And all unnecessary shots from smart-phone make me ask the question, why watching the first Never Back Down movie ?? For the action - it's not worth it. The drama - not interesting and nothing new.

I was a huge fan of the original "Never Back Down", therefore was looking forward to seeing this follow-up.

In terms of the plot, it is painfully similar to the original, however this is not necessarily a bad thing, as, surprisingly, the same, predictable story line is still entertaining second-time-round. In addition to this, the characters are very similar to those in the first film in many respects, just with a few fresh ideas being introduced.

The action itself is strong; combat is well-acted and every fight scene is relatively convincing, therefore the film succeeds in, arguably, its key area.

In addition to this, Jai White is brilliant and after being impressed by his performance in "Blood and Bone", I was pleasantly surprised to see that his ability has not halted. Furthermore, despite being unsure about his ability as a director, I was equally impressed.

Overall, fans of the original who desire a similar dose of mixed martial arts action, or those who want an enjoyable, solid, MMA-based drama and are not concerned about a lack of depth or originality, should probably give this movie a try, however I'd advise watching the original first, as it is undoubtedly superior.

"An angry mind is a narrow mind." Four teenagers who need an outlet begin to train with ex-UFC fighter Case (White). After one of them betrays the group it is up to the other three to get revenge at the "Beatdown." After liking the first one more then I thought I would I was looking forward to this one. While I did like this movie it was more of a remake then a sequel. Instead of the main characters dad dying he leaves his mom. Instead of the trainer getting in a fight with his brother and living alone he has a run in with the law...and lives alone. The main character liking a fellow fighters girl is in this one, along with a line about Kurt Cobain. There really is not much different in this movie, except the fighting is more professional. Saying all that though, I did like this movie. Overall, a near replica of the first one. If you liked that one you will like this one. I give it a B.

Would I watch again? - I don't know, maybe.

*Also try - Never Back Down

This so-called sequel to "Never Back Down" actually got nothing to do with it, and it's so bad. The 2008 original is about 100 times better than this one, because it focused on just one young man's emotional journey. But the screenplay of this so-called sequel is so bad and so lame. The casting was also not too good with 4 uninteresting young actors and one very bad female one.

Unless he could find a very strong script and with better casting, MJW should stay away from directing, 'cause it's not good enough.

If this movie was released in theaters, I'd walk out after 30 minutes. Time is not on MJW's side and favored him like before since he's pushing 50,he's gaining weight and his torso looks so pumped up as a middle aged guy.