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The Great White Hype (1996)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 5.1/10
Reviews Counted: 20
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 11

No consensus yet.

Average Rating: 6.6/10
Critic Reviews: 5
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 2

No consensus yet.

audience

liked it
Average Rating: 2.7/5
User Ratings: 7,458

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Movie Info

Boxing is more than just a sport -- it's also a business and a con game in this satirical comedy. Rev. Fred Sultan (Samuel L. Jackson) is a shrewd boxing promoter and manager whose meal ticket is heavyweight champion James "The Grim Reaper" Roper (Damon Wayans), a fighter whose skill and confidence significantly outstrips his intelligence. While the top-ranked contender for Roper's title is Marvin Shabazz (Michael Jace), Sultan isn't too keen on the idea of Shabazz fighting Roper -- it seems

R, 1 hr. 30 min.

Drama, Comedy

Directed By: Reginald Hudlin

Written By: Ron Shelton, Tony Hendra

In Theaters: May 3, 1996 Wide

On DVD: Jun 1, 2004

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

The Great White Hype Trailer & Photos

Cast

Samuel L. Jackson
Rev. Fred Sultan
Jeff Goldblum
Mitchell Kane
Peter Berg
Terry Conklin
Damon Wayans
James 'The Grim Reaper'...
Jon Lovitz
Sol
Corbin Bernsen
Peter Prince
Cheech Marin
Julio Escobar
Walter Addison
Michael Katz
Brad Blaisdell
Press Corps #1
Rocky Carroll
Artemus St. John Saint
Lydell M. Cheshier
Palace Guard #3
Alyson Croft
Pretty Young Woman #2
Deezer D
Roper's Crony #2
John Rhys-Davies
Johnny Windsor
Duane Davis
Palace Guard #1
Art Evans
Minister
Michael Fairman
Chairman Jerry Schwartz
Jamie Foxx
Hassan El Ruk'n
Susan Gibney
Vivian
Renee Griffin
Angel
Albert Hall
Roper's Manager
Randy Harris
4th Palace Guard
Anthony Johnson
Sultan's Valet
Jarrett Lennon
Jarrett Kane
Stu Nahan
Fight Announcer #1
Salli Richardson
Bambi
Brian Setzer
Himself
Bert Randolph Sugar
Himself
Nedra Volz
Old Lady
Sam Whipple
Artie
Lamont Johnson
Palace Guard #2
Rick Scarry
White Middle American
James Hardie
Press Corps #2
Richard Steele
Referee
Michael Jace
Marvin Shabazz
Reno Wilson
Roper's Crony
Phil Buckman
Lee the Drummer
Leon Frederick
Roper's Cornerman
Method Man
Himself
Al Rodrigo
1st press member
G. John Slagle
Kane's Cameraman
Ferdie Pacheco
fight announcer
Renee Ammann
Angel
Jonathan P. Hicks
Sports Writer
Craig Modderno
Sports Writer
Tim Kawakami
Himself
Elizabeth LaRou
Pretty Young Woman
Cristal L. House
Pretty Young Woman
Irv L. Dotten
Roper's Crony
James H. Hays
Roper's Cornerman

Critic Reviews for The Great White Hype

All Critics (29) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (11) | DVD (1)

As satire, Hype dares to play the race card but folds too soon.

January 1, 2000 Comment

Susan Wloszczyna

USA Today

Top Critic

The joke is often funny and the actors all look like they're having fun, but it's still a one-joke movie that falls short of its potential

September 10, 2005 Comment

Dan Fienberg

Zap2it.com

A knockout comedy...Peter Berg is a trip!

March 11, 2005 Comment

Clint Morris

Moviehole

Breezy, biting fun.

January 8, 2005 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com

| Comment

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Great White Hype

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Very funny, you don't have to be a boxing fan to enjoy!

September 25, 2009

Anthony Lawrie

Super Reviewer

A fun dark comedy from HBO films.

April 30, 2007

Tim Salmons

Super Reviewer

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