Grudge Match

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Sylvester Stallone, Kevin Kart, Anthony Anderson, Alan Arkin, Kim Basinger, Jon Bernthal, LL Cool J
Directed by: Peter Segal
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Sports
2013

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Two aging boxers (Robert DeNiro, Sylvester Stallone) come out of retirement for one final bout, 30 years after their last match.

Review:

Tim: In theory, this movie was a brilliant idea. A boxing movie pitting Rocky Balboa vs. Jake LaMotta. You have Sylvester Stallone and Robert DeNiro, two actors who've made some of the greatest boxing movies of all time, and you put them one-on-one in the ring. I love that idea. Unfortunately, the movie came a decade too late. Even with the story being a comedy, this movie too often comes across as foolish. Yes, this film could have been an unmitigated disaster. Director Peter Segal prevents that from happening, but I wouldn't say he's done anything spectacular here. This is an average movie in every way.

The biggest strength of this film is just seeing Sylvester Stallone and Robert DeNiro interacting on screen. They are two iconic actors and it was fun seeing them in this hate-filled relationship. They are very different people, and that comes across on screen. Stallone got the more likeable role, which is good, because it's the easier one and he's the lesser actor. DeNiro got the more unlikeable role, and he did manage to make us care a bit about his character. I didn't love his character, but DeNiro at least made him partially sympathetic. Now, Stallone and DeNiro are the main attraction, but the movie wisely has a surprisingly strong cast around them. Alan Arkin gives yet another solid supporting performance (he's been incredible the last few years). I enjoyed his presence here. I also like Jon Bernthal and thought he held his own against DeNiro. I always like seeing Kim Basinger get work, but it felt like she didn't deliver as high quality a performance as DeNiro or Stallone. She seemed to struggle some in the role. I'm not a Kevin Hart fan, but he had a few funny moments and proved significantly less annoying than most of his other roles. As a whole, the cast is actually quite good and it's the film's biggest selling point.

Now, I never expected this, but perhaps the film's biggest liability is Robert DeNiro. How is this possible? How is the best actor in the cast the biggest issue? It's simply because he is too old for the role. The guy is over 70 years old and isn't in nearly the shape that Stallone is. While Stallone's only 3 years younger than him, when you see them on screen, there's no way DeNiro could hold his own. Stallone would absolutely murder him in the ring. The movie is never able to shake this truth off, so the whole film just seems ridiculous and absurd. I like DeNiro, but he wasn't in good enough shape for this film.

Now, Grudge Match does feature a few decent boxing moments. Boxing movies work so well because there's something cinematically wonderful about seeing two people square off in the ring. This movie doesn't do a lot of these right, but there are a few moments when I felt my blood pumping and I sat up in my seat. Sadly, these are too few and far between. However, they are there, which is a positive thing.

I really like the idea of Grudge Match. The movie is hurt a bit by the farfetched plot and asking us to believe two 70 year-olds could actually pull off what happens on screen. Nothing against older people, but come on. The idea was there, but the execution was lacking. This wasn't a disaster, but Grudge Match isn't as good as it should have been. Oh, and the posters and DVD cover feature some of the most atrocious, laughably bad photoshopping I have ever seen.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 6


If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Rocky, Raging Bull, The Expendables, Real Steel, Play It to the Bone, Warrior