“Never Back Down” Taking a Blog Beating [Editorial]
By now, many in the MMA community have heard about the feature film “Never Back Down†which stars acclaimed actor Djimon Hounsou and the lesser-known Sean Faris. The films fairly cheesy trailer is currently showing on YouTube, and the movie appears to be losing serious clout due to the scrutinizing eye that is the MMA blogosphere. First, MMA Junkie has an interview with the film’s lead, Sean Faris, where the actor ends up sounding foolish after claiming years of MMA fanaticism:
“SEAN FARIS: Oh yeah. I was a huge fan of MMA before the role. I’ve been following it for eight or nine years now. Well, actually, I guess it’d have to be longer than that. I’ve got some of the really old DVDs when the UFC didn’t have rounds and you kept fighting until it was over. Once they came out on DVD and videotape, that’s when my friends and I really started getting into it.”
Fair enough, and who would this long time fans favorite fighter be?
“SEAN FARIS: Anderson Silva. Hands down”
And why is that?
“SEAN FARIS: That is a bad, bad man. You know he is. Huh? You know, right?”
Alright, anyone else?
“SEAN FARIS: I love that Chris Horodecki kid in the IFL. I haven’t seen him fight much but keep hearing about him and reading up on him. He’s a phenom. It’s so cool to see these prodigies coming into the sport.”
Now why would this guy say that he “loves†Chris Horodecki, if he’s never even seen him fight? It almost comes off as comical.
Any how, this kid sounds like he might be over selling his MMA background just a little bit. Though it’s unfortunate Sean Faris had to trip over himself, when he could have easily stated that he did not know everything there is to know about MMA, but trained hard and studied the best he could to provide a solid performance. Instead, he attempts to come off as some die hard fan but can hardly back up his knowledge.
Additionally, Bloody Elbow has an entire post dedicated to bashing “Never Back Down” as Editor-in-Chief Luke Thomas uses an interview with the films writer (Chris Hauty) as ammunition:
“Is there a difference between Ultimate Fighting and MMA?
No. MMA is employed in Ultimate Fighting. Ultimate Fighting is sort of a loose term as well. UFC has co-opted that term but I think it just means “all in”. No rules; anything goes.”
It’s pretty disturbing to hear that the writer of an MMA film does not realize the difference between mixed martial arts as a sport, and the UFC as a brand name. Moreover, the writer pretty much says that his movie and MMA don’t really have a lot to offer other than the fighting component:
“You saw nothing metaphysical about this story?
No. I don’t think so. I don’t think who are involved in MMA necessarily bring any metaphysical component to the dance. I think it’s more about physical excellence and discipline.”
Though it isn’t pretty, I encourage interested readers to check out the entire interview here to get the full picture.
Ironically, before I had ever read any of the posts mentioned above, I planned on seeing “Never Back Down†and providing a review for MMAFrenzy.com. I suppose I will still see the movie because, well, I’m just that kind of guy. Even if I’m told it’s horrible by credible sources, if someone makes a serious attempt at an MMA film, I have to see it. Partly because I am a big movie snob and enjoy the opportunity to critique, and partly because there might actually be some cool fight sequences. I can only hope that this movie will not be as terrible as perceived so far.
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I thought the previews pretty much gave the true background behind the movie. The background being little to NO knowlege of the sport. They should have called it the KIMBO SLICE story cause it looks like it’s all about backyard fighting to me.
PS Kimbo is slowly working his way to legitimacy, but not yet. I did hear he got KOd by Forrest Griffin while trainning at Xtreme Couture…. HA.
PSS I like Hordecki, even if he did just get his first loss-by KO even. The kid is B.A.D.
weird. the whole thing is weird. i read an interview with the producer/director/whatever in FIGHT! and the dude seemed to have a clue. of course, all those other guys interviewed above coulda had a clue too…but the lag time available in print media made the other guy seem sensible. had he been interviewed in “blog time” as it were he could have been as retarded-sounding as those other guys.
“anything goes” my ass.
I watched the trailer and this movie got nothing to do with mma. The only connection is that the good guy goes to an mma gym to train. But come on, if the movie were made 20 years ago, he would have gone to kung-fu dojo. Mma is popular today so it may sell some tickets. But it seems to be a horrible movie
((
These guys couldn’t put a decent trailer together; why bother treating anything beyond that with any kind of seriousness?
I agree with WM. Why bother when this movie will be in the theater and out in one weekend. They’ll be lucky to meet their budget for this movie. There is always a movie that is looking to portray some industry that isn’t quite in the mainstream culture and make a quick buck. This film is probably as good as The Next Karate Kid.
Even the best portrayal of MMA would be poor if there was no character development. People wouldn’t change their perception of MMA if it was directed by Steven Speilberg.
I saw a preview screening in my area last weekend and all in all its not as bad as you would think. Its not a great film by any means but it has moments. I almost feel like what happened when the first Batman came out. No one in america thought MR MOM could do anything with it and it turned out being a blockbuster. Now this isn’t a mega picture.Watching it reminded me of watching “Three for the road” with Charlie Sheen when he was newly famous.A low budget movie that needed a rewrite. The middle act with Djimon Hounsou is why you would want to see the picture. If the lead in Redbelt(C.O.) comes of half as well then it will be awesome. The first half hour is nihilistic SP? but it does remind me of things I have seen Teenagers do on youtube as well as adults on National Geographic so while I hated it I owned up to it because yeah this has happened because of MMA extreme wrestling Fight club whatever.The third act is tired but only in the way westerns and coming of age movies are. And as for the action. Its theatrical MMA as opposed to real MMA and Erik Paulson was a solid choice with his CSW allowing for reversals and big movements that keep you watching.The Human chess theme is played up. So if you are still on this fence about it try this…If you thought Vantage Point was great then you will probably love this…Now if you thought the same rewind transition was lazy filmmaking then you are way to cerebral for this flick.
WHAT A PIECE OF GARBAGE…disrespecting mma…
I basically agree with the whole article, but using Anderson Silva as a benchmark for a favourite fighter who someone shouldn’t have is way off. I get the fact that he’s about as talked about as it goes. I get the fact that he doesn’t own a farm in Texas. I get the fact that the actor is some loser who doesn’t know MMA. MMA isn’t a club for people who still think Tank Abbot might step up and triangle choke Minotauro Nogueira. It’s about growth…the film will almost certainly suck b*lls. But at least we’ve got to the point that there IS a film out there. Every legitimate sport is WORLDWIDE not just in the US. Which is why the NFL is hauling *ss over to London every year from now on to promote itself. The point being…we weren’t all there since Big john was John McCarthy. EIRE
I will admit. The first week of advertising for this movie, I was intrigued. Finally, some recognition. And really, worldwide Mixed Martial Arts has been a respected sport outside the US for years. In Japan, fighters were making $250 back in ‘96. It’s simply here in the us, as usual we are late to jump on the bandwagon, and when we do we want to shift the vehicle to match our own perspective. But, as the trailers became longer and the interviews began pooling all around the net the true colours were shown. It’s obvious the core of MMA is missed in the portrayal. As someone mentioned before we’re looking at a spit-shinned version of backyard fighting, half of the trailered events happen in a parking lot. Now what does that do for the MMA community? Well, for starters those who aren’t fans or practioners who oppose MMA have just gotten ammunition. No different than the “street racing” craze arose all custom racing was targeted. These unofficiated fighting scenarios actually contradict the mentality that goes into mixed martial (keyword here) “arts”. Again we aren’t trying to build a nation of brawlers, who can only speak through spit, blood, and cursing. But what will make money for Hollywood may damage the perception of a warrior style. With no help from Tito and his new show shoving two neanderthals to pound out differences, we’re losing sight of what makes this 1st a sport, and 2nd a way of life. Great article, and completely on point. If I’ve had enough beers and all the tv’s go out in my house, I might go see just to write about. Great work Eric.
THE MOVIE SUCKS IT LOOKS SO SILLY
I went to the premiere of this movie….I’m also an avid ufc follower and all I can say is…..WOW….this movie roks…. It completely does mma justice and I encourage every person who reads this to go and see for your self … If anything this movie is just wat the sport needs to take it to the next level …. This movie contains great acting….great women ….and even greater fight scenes….. It was directed amazingly aswell….he really captured the action and intensity that we all love about mma……..all I can say is don’t judge a book by its cover or a movie by its trailor ….. Go and see for your self cause you won’t be srry u did
…….the preceeding has been a paid advertisement……..
You can’t be serious. I wonder how many other MMA related sites this guy posted the same “review” on. “It was directed amazingly……….” “…..WOW…..” “……JUST WHAT THE SPORT NEEDED….” “…..4 STARS…..” lol.
The only aspect the movie comes close to getting right is the trainning. The rest is “Karate Kid”, street fighting, HOGWASH!(I think that is the first time in my life I have used the word HOGWASH, please forgive me)
To be blatantly honest, I went to watch them movie today and I really really liked the movie! Personally, I don’t think the movie is supposed to be an accurate portrayl of mixed martial arts cause’ even in the movie, Max says they are brawling. Just because the main character goes to a MMA gym to train, doesn’t mean all of the martial arts worlds instantly has to become critiques because they are being falsly shown. I say go watch the movie, and have an open mind. I’ll admit that I went in skeptical, but I came out ampted because I used to participate in brawls like those, and I am able to relate to the characters because many of them have the same problems we do in normal life. Plus, the action is pretty good for a bunch of valley boys, and one of the actors, the guy who plays Ryan, practices Krav Maga outside of the movie so obviously (or not so obviously)there is some prior martial arts knowledge before hand. So, I pleed with all of you, from one martial artist (I practice Judo and Boxing, praying for Muay Thai training) to another, watch the movie and enjoy someones crack at what we all enjoy without jumping to conclusions. If you don’t enjoy it, then well I must just be stupid.
Here’s the thing, I hate to say it but some of you are trying wayyy too hard to bash this movie for what reason? Becuase there is MMA in it? For those of you who have seen it, the core of the film is more about the inner struggle of all the characters, and there’s like what, 4 or 5 fight scenes tops? The movie is decent compared to other movies now’a'days. It captilalized on MMA because it’s hot right now, is that bad for the sport? No. There is no way any type of global media concerning your sport could ever be bad for it. More public interest means one day should any of you do MMA for a living, you’ll have more people interested and make more money. And no one should act like it’s never about the money only about the sport, we’ve all got bills to pay right? The movie is what it is, an action flick involving MMA. And as far as the actors knowledge of mma? They are actors, they get paid because they can act, not because of their knowedlge of what they are portraying, they learn that as they prepare for the role. He tried to over sell his knowledge of mma for two reasons, one to sell the movie, and two to please over critical “MMA purists” who were going to bash him at every turn.
i think the guy who wrote the article was picking apart everything the actor+filmwriter said so he could just launch a bunch of critisism.
the guy says he saw some footage of horedecki fighting but then the writer proceeds to say the opposite and bash him.
why all the hating?
i saw the movie. it isn’t great. its not even good. it is, however, okay. i will admit it was entertaining in parts but over all it was cliche and unrealistic. if your expecting to see some hardcore authenitc mma portrayal don’t even bother.but if you want to just watch a movie and not pick apart every erroneous detail with a fine tooth comb then i’d say its probably worth a rental.
Cody,
Well said my man. I plan on seeing this movie very soon. Will I wait until it comes out in video? We’ll see about that. You are right though. Regardless of whether this movie portrays the perfect MMA arts and everthing that it is about does not matter. It’s a story and that’s that. Now if someone would like to make a documentary of an actual Mixed Martial Artist, that would be cool for most “die hard” fans, probably boring for most others. This is a shot in the 21st century at making a movie that involves most, if not all facets of MMA. It’s not going to be the best film you have ever seen. Even without seeing the movie yet, I can guarantee that. But it’s a money maker and a chance to bring more viewers to the sport. I commend those who made it. Let’s just hope the sequal doesn’t have Jean Claude Van Damme in it. : )
THIS MOVIE FREAKING ROCKED !!!!!!!!!
I washy paid a penny so stop pretending like u no crap ……. Cause u don’t