  FightingMPAA Rating:
 for intense fight sequences, a sex scene and brief strong language._____
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Teens, Adults
Genre:
Action, Drama
Length:
1 hr. 45 min.
Year of Release:
2009
USA Release:
April 24, 2009 (wide—2,100 theaters)
DVD: August 25, 2009 
Relevant Issues
VIOLENCE—How does viewing violence in movies affect families? Answer Fear, Anxiety and Worry… What does the Bible say? Answer What advice do you have for new and growing Christians? Answer How do I know what is right from wrong? Answer How can I decide whether a particular activity—such as smoking, gambling, etc.—is wrong? Answer How can I deal with temptations? Answer Should I save sex for marriage? Answer How far is too far? What are the guidelines for dating relationships? Answer What are the consequences of sexual immorality? Answer 
“Some dreams are worth the fight.” Producer’s synopsis: “‘Fighting’ is a rough-hewn heroic tale about realizing dreams of glory, putting audiences ringside at high-stakes underground street fights. Channing Tatum stars as Sean Arthur, a young man who scrapes up a living hustling counterfeit merchandise in NYC. With family tragedy in his past and his father keeping him at a distance, this outsider has little to motivate him. A chance encounter with veteran street-fighting coach Harvey Boarden (Terrence Howard) leads to a whole new career for Sean. The ensuing bouts get tough, especially with the criminal element horning in, so Sean gets tougher. He will fight to win, not only the prize money, but also the unexpected new relationships that are strengthening him.”
Volunteer reviewer needed for this movie—Request this assignment See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.   Movie Critics
…Bare knuckle street fighting films generally have a skull-thumping, brutal pointlessness about them that makes me wonder who would really want to see them. Or how they get funded in the first place. But those questions, though applicable, are the least of “Fighting”'s problems.…
—Bob Hoose, PluggedIn …“Fighting” is not a cinematic breakthrough. But it is much more involving than I thought it would be. The ads foreground the action, no doubt because that’s what sells. The film transcends the worldview that produced the ad campaign and gives audiences a well-crafted, touching experience.…
—Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times …Not everything that happens in “Fighting” entirely makes sense—it’s a fable, after all, and a fable doesn’t necessarily have to—but it breathes with a rough, exuberant realism that you rarely see in movies of its kind.…Not that “Fighting” is a great movie. It has no desire to be one—not an ounce of grandiosity or pretension or melodramatic overstatement.…
—A.O. Scott, The New York Times …Howard’s snappy-smooth performance, unsurprisingly, is what elevates “Fighting” from its hoary genre predecessors. …a sad-solid TKO.…
—Marc Savlov, The Austine Chronicle …an above average drama… but the movie contains some foul language and intense sometimes-brutal violence that merit extreme caution.…
—Movieguide |
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The movie spends no time dawdling. You see Channing Tatum (the lead), and whoosh! He and Terrence Howard are best chums. You wanna make money? Yeah. Fight. Simple premise.
What I love about this flicka show is the uncanny level of realism. It doesn’t feel like a movie. Movies are polished. They’re supposed to clean up life’s lesser moments into a glamorous, fun-sized package that fits into a 2 hour window. Fighting takes the road less traveled. It mimics real life, all the awkward, goofy times included. No spiffy camera angles. No crazy transitions. No particle effects. No catchy tunes. Watch it. It’s not only apparent in the pacing and the diaglogue, but in the characters themselves as well as the extras. New Yorkers… bunch of street thugs ‘n thieves.
Unfortunately, for “Fighting,” the anti-movie feel kinda hurts its replay value. Without that polished coating, a movie is armed only with a story. The story behind this one is okay, but it’s like a dude hobbling around on crutches. Just ain’t 100%.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3½
—Keenum, age 22 (USA)