Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

Knockout Blu-ray Movie Review

Good entertainment, excellent life lessons.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman April 19, 2011

Go make 'em nervous.

Shades of The Karate Kid for sure, but Knockout stands on its own two feet as a film that might follow in another's footsteps but that finds its place as a touching, honest story of perseverance, courage, friendship, understanding, and strength. The latter seems a given in a film about boxing, but Knockout rightly espouses something other than the power of the punch, and that is the strength that comes from within, the mental toughness and emotional balance that's needed as much as, if not more so than, the raw physical power to stand up in the ring and, more importantly, to stand up in life. Indeed, Knockout -- the absence of originality and the recycled message aside -- serves a purpose as a reinforcement of good, sound principles that apply to every area of life. The film, like all good pictures of this sort, uses bullying, training, and fighting as metaphors for a greater good. It's the core foundational principles that count in movies like this, and this foundation is one of the toughest, truest, most sturdy, and certainly most meaningful around. The tale of the underdog rising to the top with the help of an older and wiser mentor -- who's also a friend -- not through the accumulation of brute strength and stamina but instead the development of the heart and soul towards a physical, emotional, and spiritual balance that will not only increase the skill in the ring but gain the respect of the opponent is the true path towards victory in life, whether in the ring, in the classroom, in the place of work, in the home, or in the body and mind and the heart and soul.

Save it for the ring.

Matthew Miller (Daniel Magder) has been forcibly moved by his mother to a new town and to a new school, away from his friends, detached from his scholarship, and reduced to attending an unchallenging public school. All he has left is his love of boxing. Despite showing up on the first day of school in his prep school dress slacks, tie, and blazer, he quickly makes friends with a couple of outcasts, Nick (Samuel Patrick Chu) and Ruby (Emma Grabinsky), who offer him total access into their exclusive "non club" club, but he must first ask out a popular cheerleader as a rite of initiation. Matthew finds the confidence to do so, but he's confronted by her jock boyfriend, Hector (Jaren Brandt Bartlett), the school's undisputed boxing superstar, and finds himself humiliated in front of the school. Matthew takes up boxing, anyway, despite the blow to his self-confidence. When he's thoroughly trounced again by Hector, this time in the ring, he's ready to quit, but in steps the school's custodian, a musclebound former fighter named Dan (Steve Austin, The Stranger) who sees promise in Matthew, not necessarily in his ability but in his heart. Dan takes Matthew under his wing and prepares him to take on Hector once again for a chance at personal redemption and a shot at making the school's boxing team.

As noted, Knockout isn't exactly a movie made from original material. Superficially, it's completely transparent and utterly predictable, but it's those intangibles that set it apart and make it a success, even if the technical merits aren't there and the story lacks mystery. Themes of fate, self-confidence, trust, and determination make the movie a winner and carry it beyond any general shortcomings. An abundance of spirit, heart to spare, and a feel-good vibe allow it to channel a feeling that it's far superior than it otherwise may be in a vacuum where the invisible attributes might not count for much against the raw front-and-center qualities. With movies like Knockout and The Karate Kid -- even the The Karate Kid remake -- the specifics of the plot don't really matter when set against the greater purpose of the story. While Knockout certainly doesn't boast nearly the same level of technical proficiency, polish, and big-budget feel as either Karate Kid, it's just as successful at the deeper thematic levels because of its placing of the greater good first and the way it so wonderfully captures the essence not of the "underdog" story -- it's really not about that -- but of the themes that speak on what it takes to succeed. Success isn't gauged by winning or losing but by showing up, by working hard, by staying true to principles and values, and through respect, confidence, and faith. Knockout beautifully and effortlessly espouses each theme through the course of the film, and it's those themes, and not the raw materials and the technical merits, that make the movie so good.

Knockout is also home to what is arguably the finest performance in Steve Austin's acting career. The wrestler-turned-movie star is best known for his bloody beat-em-ups like The Condemned and Hunt to Kill, but it's nice to see him in something different, taking on a role well-suited to both his physical presence and underlying tenderness and away from the blood and guts of the standard Action movie. Austin is quite a good actor both in Knockout and in a more general sense; he may not be a traditional actor with a traditional background, but he proves to be more than a shaved head and a pile of muscles, demonstrating in Knockout a keen understanding of the character and the film's purpose. He shows a tender side in the film, a sweet, honest core that makes him the perfect trainer, confidant, and friend, a man who is caring, honest, always there, and willing to go the extra mile for the greater good, his only reward the satisfaction of doing some right in a world that's far too often wrong. Austin is the cog that holds the film together on all fronts; hopefully in the near future he'll land more roles like this that allow him to branch out beyond what's expected of him. His co-star, Daniel Magder, handles the part of the bullied fighter-in-training quite well; a few bouts of overacting stand out but don't hamper the film too much. Jaren Brandt Bartlett plays the part of the film's "villain" with a routine bad guy vibe; he doesn't take it too far over the top, and he's suitably menacing but not larger-than-life and certainly not physically built up to the point that Matthew couldn't stand a reasonable chance to face him down in the ring with the right physical and emotional preparation on his side.

Knockout Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Knockout's 1080p HD video image is best described as "mediocre." This image is so glossy that it seems to flatten and smooth out even the finest details, rendering even facial textures and close-ups of clothing and other would-be intricate objects somewhat devoid of life. A few soft scenes also contribute to the sense of lessened detailing. Colors are fairly routine, neither abundantly vibrant but far from dull. Black levels are consistently strong and flesh tones are natural in appearance. The source itself is clean and not particularly noisy, but the image is hampered by an incredible amount of banding which at best constitutes an eyesore and at worst makes several scenes nearly unwatchable. Still, the bulk of the transfer is fairly smooth and bright; it's far from perfect, but it certainly gets the job done in most cases.

Knockout Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Knockout's DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack won't put sound systems down for the count, but it gives them just enough of a workout to break a sweat. This isn't the most robust or seamlessly spaced track out there; music can play with a slightly cramped feel, but it's certainly crisp and clear through the entire range and with every element, be it music, sound effects, or dialogue. The surround channels are rarely engaged; inconsequential ambience creeps into the surrounds, but the front three speakers carry the bulk of the material. Music is passably energetic and plays with a decent kick at the low end when called upon. Dialogue is smooth and accurate. It's not a world-beater, but Knockout's soundtrack is worthy of the material.

Knockout Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Only the Knockout trailer (1080p, 1:45) is included.

Knockout Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It comes as no surprise that Knockout is a fine film. It's the sort of movie destined to succeed through heart and message which, no coincidence, is what the characters themselves espouse throughout the film. It's a complete circle; success is no accident, and it's achieved through the intangibles -- whether in life or in film -- and not always and certainly not exclusively through the more obvious features and building blocks that might take center stage but don't necessarily determine whether someone or something wins or loses. Knockout will appeal to viewers with an open mind and an open heart and to those who can look beyond the surface and enjoy it for what it is and what it has to offer at a deeper, more personal level. Phase 4's Blu-ray release of Knockout delivers a fair technical presentation and, unfortunately, no extras of substance. Still, it comes recommended on the strength of the film.