THE FILM

There's not a drop of originality to "Knockout," which largely plays out like a photocopy of "The Karate Kid" set in the high school boxing realm. The picture lacks a great deal of innovation, but it retains an impressive reservoir of charisma to help squeak it through the rough patches, making for an atypically pleasant picture from star Steve Austin, who takes a slightly less knuckle-sandwich position of caring in this underdog sports drama.

A new kid in a small town high school, Matthew (Daniel Madger) is a doughy nerd with an affinity for boxing history, taking interest in the sport of his grandfather. When school bully Hector (Jaren Brandt Bartlett) traps Matthew in a game of intimidation and abuse, the frightened freshman finds comfort in Dan (Steve Austin), the school janitor and former boxing prodigy. Accepting Matthew's request to help him train in the pugilist arts, Dan ups the ante by arranging a match between his student and Hector. Frazzled, but learning self-confidence, Matthew works to become a fighter, finding puppy love and needed discipline along the way.

It's impossible to be wowed by the "Knockout" screenplay (credited to Joseph Nassar), which is steeped in clichés to such a degree, even the actors seem a little embarrassed to partake in a few of these scenes. It's a familiar look at a bullied boy and his rise to sporting glory, learning valuable lessons about himself and his family along the way. It's hardly the most scintillating screenwriting effort the wheezy genre has seen, with major emotional points of the film rendered unusable due to the hackneyed writing.

What "Knockout" has in its favor is a game cast looking to instill some life into the dreary script. Director Anne Wheeler keeps most of the performances on track, using thespian charm to spackle over troubling areas of the feature. I enjoyed work submitted by Madger, who plays a believable geek finding his spirit through boxing, providing a consistent read on teenage frustration and communication breakdown, while effectively registering new boner issues through a brief but sweet courtship with lady friend Ruby (a pleasant Emma Grabinsky). Austin pairs up well with his young co-star, and while the role doesn't challenge the former pro wrestler in the least, it does work a different side of the actor, developing a softer, reflective character who's almost reluctant to take charge. It's a vulnerable, understated performance, and the film is best when focused on the training efforts between the pair, who develop a share language of boxing techniques that comes to be challenged by Matthew's irresponsibility.

"Knockout" does feature a sour note from Bartlett, who turns the typical bully role into something obnoxiously maniacal, possibly homoerotic at times, with Hector wildly delighting in his torment of Matthew. The performance is unbearably broad.

THE DVD

Visual:

The anamorphic widescreen (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is quite solid all around, with a hearty display of colors keeping the boxing sequences alive through a bold push of reds and blues. Skintones are natural, while black levels are quite comfortable, if never truly challenged. The smear of the HD cinematography is easy to spot, but the DVD manages the intimacy and motion of the feature competently.

Audio:

The 5.1 Dolby Digital sound mix is a moderate effort that doesn't quite employ the snap and hustle of a typically boxing movie. Directionals are calm, only truly registering during crowd sequences. The general movement of the mix tends to lean forward, with dialogue exchanges sounding a touch clouded, though separated well from scoring cues and atmospherics. Low-end is light, with more attention placed on the dramatics than the beatings. A French track is also included.

Subtitles:

No subtitles are offered.

Extras:

A Theatrical Trailer has been included.

FINAL THOUGHTS

"Knockout" offers training montages, after school special-style betrayals, and a third-act showdown between Matthew and Hector, who work out their differences in the ring. The boxing choreography isn't the tightest around, and the film strains to fill 90 minutes, but the unexpected kindness of the message and characterizations is felt. It's hard to loathe "Knockout" when it plays this friendly, but the sluggish screenplay makes it awfully easy to try.