Knockout (2011)

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Knockout is a charming effective film. The story is a shaggy dog cliché. A young boy the new kid in town. He idolizes his grandfather a former boxer. He runs into the school bully. friendless he has no one to turn to except the school janitor played wonderfully by Steve Austin. The boy tries out for the school boxing team. Only to find the bully is the school Champion. the boy loses faith in himself. The janitor Dan Barnes takes pity on him.Dan a former contender for the heavyweight Championship.. Barnes lived life in the fast lane and burnt himself out. Barnes got hurt and ended his career. Barnes takes the boy under his wing and trains him. The bully continues to torture him until a boxing match is set up to determine who will get the final spot on the boxing team. The film is filled with teen angst, young love and issues with the parents. Knockout finds it's voice in the relationship between the boy and Barnes. and later on There is that magical first love with another outsider. A young girl named Ruby. The film could be called sweet and tender. It could also be called a slice of life.Showing us how outsiders are made. How people who feel differently are sometimes punished for being different. The films driving message is simple. You must have faith in yourself. No one can fight your battles but you. You must choose a course of action and do it. Pretty effective message for a pretty effective movie that tries to disguise itself as a Boxing tale. Very Well done.

Nothing new about this recent D-to-D starring Steve Austin as Mr. Miyagi, oops, Dan Barns, a former boxer turned janitor who puts a nerdy kid under his wing and teach him the noble art as a way of learning how to handle life itself.The good thing is that the flick has a heart, is well rounded and the characters are sympathetic enough to warrant some entertainment.Of course we movie gobblers have seen the same story done dozens of times, but who does not love to see an underdog get the prize?The highlight is that Steve Austin is charismatic enough and keeps it real most of the time, compensating the less than thrilling protagonist. The dialog is cross and direct from a bad self-help book; however, is said with some dignity and Austin shows he is not only a killing machine, he has potential to not embarrass himself in more meaty roles.A nice time waster, if you do not have anything else to do and likes to tackle this kind of movie.

I'm almost certain that the people who are down rating this film initially thought they would be watching a Stone Cold Steve Austin action extravaganza instead of a family movie. Even though I'm not a professional movie critic, or a filmmaker, I do consider myself a movie buff who delves into every possible genre. And as far as this certain type of genre goes, it's pretty good. "Knockout" never tries to jump over itself. It clearly knows what it wants to be. In fact, at one point, it gives a shout out to the original "Karate Kid." Many plot lines feel familiar, but it's all handled with as much care as possible. The movie is successful at flowing down the middle without being overly heartwarming, or not heartwarming enough. Steve Austin isn't applying for greatness, but he feels completely right for this role. Despite his opposing figure, you can see the soft spot within his eyes. As for the main kid, he eases into the role by the end of the film. The kid who played Hector tackles the bully role with aplomb. The girl playing Ruby is also very charming. All in all, my two young kids enjoyed this and so did I. As far as these types of films go, this one is above most.

I was pleasantly surprised with respect to the execution of the actors. Some of the previous reviews simply didn't get it! Young Matthew Miller played by Daniel Magder (Life with Derek's Edwin) was transformed over the course of the film from a bumbling geek to a self confident young man at the conclusion of the film. He displayed the stark contrast in character between the role he played at the beginning of the film and the end. At the start of the movie Matthew was in a place he didn't want to be and had to sacrifice his academic arena for the sake of his mother. He was nervous, angry and self conscious and displayed his emotions and feelings with an awkwardness both physically and emotionally. This is a much different role than that of Edwin in "Life with Derek". I believe he pulled it off beautifully. Steve Austin was consistent throughout the film showing a "soft side" and yet he was still rough around the edges given his checkered past. He played the role beautifully. Nice job Steve!!!Matthew's mother came across as annoying which added balance to the story. If the kids were shown as professional boxers the credibility of the film would have suffered. These are teenagers in middle school just learning the craft of boxing, not seasoned veterans.Yes, definitely a "feel good" story and yet not over the top. The lesson that the film depicts should not be lost on today's young generation. The old adage, when you fall, pick yourself up and try again, rings out load and clear.This movie is a winner!!!