It is somewhat frustrating when reviewers criticise a movie that is clearly not set to be an Oscar winning blockbuster. The majority of us know that it will not break box-office records, so we just go for a laugh and a great escape from harsh reality. Therefore, in Grudge Match, the latest directorial effort by Peter Segal (Anger Management 2003) with Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone as retired boxing rivals who come back for one more fight, you almost know what to expect.
This story basically writes itself, almost matching two career-defining roles against each other – De Niro from Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull and Stallone from the Rocky franchise! It’s a film comedy that could be cheekily marketed as ‘Rocky vs Raging Bull‘, as this is not really a movie for boxing aficionados, but more like 60 year old muttons dressing up as 30 year old lambs!
Grudge Match takes us back to 1982 with the last battle between the dashing young light-heavyweight champions Henry “Razor” Sharp and Billy “The Kid” McDonnen (Stallone and DeNiro respectively). The encounter creates division between local fans in Pittsburg USA, but culminates in universal disappointment when Razor retires and refuses a rematch.
30 years later, the fighters still hate each other. It’s a rift worsened by the fact that The Kid ran off with Razor’s wife Sally (a refined Kim Basinger in fine form) for a brief affair many years ago. As an aside, the young Sally in the 80’s is played by Basinger and Alec Baldwin’s daughter, Ireland Baldwin!
The brief affair between Sally and The Kid resulted in a son, BJ (Jon Bernthal), who has now produced a son himself. So, after all of their dramas through the past 30 years, could these two rivals ever work together again to promote their legendary grudge match?
Fast-talking promoter Dante Slate Jnr. (Kevin Hart with Chris Tucker type humour) has decided to turn to boxing and make sure this happens, as it is a natural rematch. And with the inclusion of social media to modernise it, what was just a simple grudge match turns into an HBO must-see extravaganza! So out come the boys again, all ready to fight – or are they?! It is funny because both men know they have passed their prime and they really do not take it that seriously.
You cannot help but laugh when Billy ‘The Kid’ McDonnen and Henry ‘Razor’ Sharp meet up for the first time in 30 years to recording a video game to promote their rematch. It is so silly that it is funny, with both of them dressed in lime green hooded jumpsuits, fitted with sensors and looking like they are from The Wiggles!
For the big rematch, Razor basically forces his grumpy father and former trainer “Lightening” (a very funny Alan Arkin) to go against his wishes and train Razor again. The Kid has a bit more trouble finding a trainer, as his old trainer Frankie Brite (LL Cool J) simply refuses: “This is embarrassing,” he jests. “A great performer knows when to get off the stage. Where’s your dignity?” so The Kid enlists his and Sally’s son as his trainer.
I couldn’t help but wonder how they were going to finish their final bout, which is a huge event with a huge, excited crowd. It is a very active fight with some serious punches! Who will win you ask yourself? But it was kept funny by Stallone and DeNiro, who both deliver good performances.
It is full of clichés and often predictable, but it is funny. Grudge Match is an easy way to spend a couple of hours, laughing at two old pros!
Reviewed by Kirstey Whicker
Rating out of 10: 7.5