Watch Knockout
- PG
- 2011
- 1 hr 35 min
-
4.9 (2,646)
"Knockout" is a 2011 action thriller starring Steve Austin, Danny Mags, and Janet Kidder. The movie tells the story of Dan Barnes (Austin), a former pro boxer who was forced to retire due to a serious injury in the ring. Dan now works as a high school janitor and struggles to make ends meet. However, his life changes when he meets a young fighter named Matthew Miller (Mags) who seeks his help in training for a boxing tournament.
At first, Dan is hesitant to take on the role of a trainer, but he soon sees potential in Matthew and decides to help him out. As Dan trains Matthew, he comes across obstacles in the form of corrupt boxing promoters who will stop at nothing to make sure that their fighter wins the tournament. Dan finds it hard to believe that such a corrupt system exists within the boxing world and decides to take matters into his own hands. Along the way, he also rekindles a romantic relationship with his high school sweetheart (Kidder).
The movie has some intense fight scenes that keep the audience engaged throughout the film. Steve Austin delivers a solid performance as Dan Barnes, portraying a character who is tough on the surface but has a heart of gold. Danny Mags' portrayal of the young fighter, Matthew Miller, is also noteworthy, and he shows great potential as an actor. Janet Kidder, as Dan's love interest, provides a fitting contrast with her character's softer and more compassionate personality.
The film's storyline follows a fairly predictable path, with occasional twists and turns that keep the viewer interested. The underdog-versus-corrupt-system plot is not something new, but the movie does a good job of keeping things fresh and exciting without resorting to cliches. The character development is also well-executed, with the audience seeing Dan's growth as a person and a trainer, as well as his internal struggle to come to terms with his past failures.
One aspect of the film that may not sit well with certain viewers is the level of violence. The fight scenes are brutal and visceral, with characters getting beat up pretty badly. However, one could argue that the violence adds to the movie's realistic portrayal of the sport of boxing, which is known for its physicality.
In terms of production value, "Knockout" is a mid-budget movie that delivers on the action and visual effects. The cinematography and editing are solid, and the film has a gritty and realistic feel to it. The boxing scenes are well-choreographed, and the sound design adds to the intensity of the fights.
Overall, "Knockout" is an enjoyable movie that delivers on its promise of high-stakes boxing action. The film's cast delivers solid performances, and the storyline, while somewhat predictable, is executed well. The movie's violence may be off-putting for some, but it adds to the authenticity of the sport. "Knockout" is definitely worth checking out for fans of the action-thriller genre.
Knockout is a 2011 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9.