Grudge Match (2013)
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Critics Consensus: Grudge Match is sporadically funny but meandering, and its strong cast largely mired in a plot that's overrun with clichés.
Critics Consensus: Grudge Match is sporadically funny but meandering, and its strong cast largely mired in a plot that's overrun with clichés.
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Movie Info
Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone star as old boxing rivals who come out of retirement for one final match. On their first encounter in decades, their long-festering feud erupts into an unintentionally hilarious melee that instantly goes viral. The sudden social media frenzy transforms their local grudge match into a must-see HBO event. Now, if they can just survive the training, they may actually live to fight again. -- (C) Warner Bros.- Rating:
- PG-13 (for sports action violence, sexual content and language)
- Genre:
- Drama , Sports & Fitness , Comedy
- Directed By:
- Peter Segal
- In Theaters:
- Dec 25, 2013 Wide
- On DVD:
- Apr 8, 2014
- US Box Office:
- $29.8M
Cast
-
Sylvester Stallone
as Henry "Razor" Sharp -
Robert De Niro
as Billy "The Kid" McDo... -
Kim Basinger
as Sally -
Alan Arkin
as Louis "Lightning" Co... -
Kevin Hart
as Dante Slate, Jr. -
Jon Bernthal
as BJ
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Critic Reviews for Grudge Match
All Critics (129) | Top Critics (28) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (91)
By the time Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro start training for the big match -- it's called Grudgment Day -- you give in because, surprisingly, both actors have reported for duty, especially De Niro.
This one probably never could have been a contender.
Pleasant but underwhelming, it feels like something that belongs on the undercard, never reaching the heights of a main event.
"Grudge Match" at its core is an affront to the cinema gods, an attempt to capitalize off two iconic films for a few cheap laughs.
The jokes are clumsy, the dramatic scenes stale and lifeless; like the climactic bout, the movie itself is a freak show, a fantasy matchup between two icons with nothing better to do than spend down their legacies.
Stick with your memories of Rocky Balboa and Jake La Motta, because "Grudge Match" isn't a fight worth fighting.
"(Not only) is this sports comedy poorly timed, it has more than just a whiff of desperation, both on the part of its remaining cast and the filmmaker."
Grudge Match certainly has enough successful elements to be moderately entertaining, although it's hard not to wish it contained fewer distractions.
If you're from my generation, it's worth checking out for the nostalgia factor, even if much of the film will be lost on the younger generation.
I do have to marvel at the way Stallone has always been able to make himself the underdog. This is a massive monster of a man who should by any account be the Goliath to any movie's David, yet he's always able to play vulnerable.
Grudge Match is one of those ideas that works as a passing joke rather than an actual film, but the film's brazenness is admirable, and it is possible to have a good time with it. Just make sure your expectations are suitably lowered first.
This film is clearly designed as a comedy as opposed to a drama. A few jokes will put a smile on your face but there's not enough to warrant a "must see" recommendation.
Two old guys get into the ring and start punching each other. Whoever the winner is, it sure ain't cinema.
It's wise not to underestimate the sheer guilt-plated fun of watching these two old pros from different sides of the acting spectrum verbally and physically spar with one another while hauling their geriatric carcasses around a ring.
Working from a cobbled-together screenplay by Tim Kelleher and Rodney Rothman, director Peter Segal pretty much goes through the motions.
Stallone and De Niro are burning up what goodwill they have remaining with their respective followings for the sake of an easy payday.
Imagine the stars of Rocky and Raging Bull squaring off in a boxing comedy about two old rivals of the ring out for payback. That's about all you need to know about this by-the-numbers, computer-written laughfest.
Although it pretty much just revels in its own crapulence, I enjoyed Grudge Match.
Ageing Bull versus Rocky Glaucoma? Has somebody knocked me silly? Or am I really watching 70 year old Robert De Niro bashing 67 year old Sylvester Stallone in the boxing ring? Is this a joke?
Umpteen rounds of flabby, lacklustre "dramedy" that was probably much more fun on paper.
Although it seeks to send up their greatest on-screen achievements, this half-baked farce merely reinforces the idea that De Niro and Stallone have seen better days.
So, yes, Grudge Match is an act of cultural vandalism. But, as sacrilege goes, it's reasonably diverting.
If you like gags about decrepitude, Segal's bought in the motherload.
Not really a boxing movie for boxing aficionados, but there is a ghastly fascination for these 60 somethings behaving like 30 somethings and looking like weird somethings, each in their own way
It's low on laughs and tries too hard, but the fact De Niro and Stallone are back in the ring giving it their best shot brings veteran entertainment value. The problem lies with the shallow, lack-lustre script
Grudge Match is like a lumbering old heavyweight, it's every body jab parried, every right hook deflected.
Audience Reviews for Grudge Match
Well well what's this? the long awaited sequel to 'Raging Bull'? the long awaited follow up in the Rocky franchise? or is it merely an excuse to have Rocky vs Jake LaMotta? Well it kinda felt like all of the above really.
The plot sees aging fighters Stallone (Razor) and DeNiro (The Kid) trying to recapture their youth and regain their old pugilistic skills via setting up a big lavish grudge match. Back in their early years they were both top of their game, the best of the best, but which was better? The only fights the pair ever lost in their careers were to each other, one beat the other and vice versa. Just before their old rematch Razor retired which angered Kid, now the game is back on.
What I find a little amusing about this is it actually does feel like Rocky Balboa vs LaMotta, both Stallone and DeNiro perform pretty much in the same way they did for both iconic movies. Stallone's character basically is Balboa for Pete's sake, he lives in a typical blue collar area, has a poor paying job in the shipyards and comes across as a soft centred soul. On the other hand DeNiro is a cocky loud mouthed edgy fighter who only wants to win any way he can. Both actors are playing these roles seriously I might add, this is not a silly dumb comedy, its a proper boxing movie.
The whole project is so old school and retro it really is, Kim Basinger and Alan Arkin both have leading roles alongside the OAP fighters which made me feel like this was another Expendables type setup. The plot is cliched as hell and utilises every trick in the sports movie book, everything you saw in Rocky basically. At the same time there are some nice references to the lead stars earlier movies and some nice little moments to add a chuckle. Such as Stallone going into a meat locker and is about to slam into one carcass with his fists but is stopped by Arkin who points out they are there to buy meat not hit it. Yeah sure it sounds like a cheap modern day throw away visual gag reference to an older classic movie...and it totally is but it did make me smile a tad.
So yes there are plenty of obligatory family issues throughout for both fighters, gotta have those family issues to deal with. Its all so very predictable and painfully obvious what's gonna happen, DeNiro has his long abandoned son to win over...plus a new grandchild to get to know. Stallone loses his crappy job and has old flame Basinger crawling around him who also just happens to be DeNiro's old flame and mother of DeNiro's now grown up son whom he abandoned. Can you feel the pain and anguish surging through here?
Despite all the rather dull cheesy hokey drama the movie does end on a solid bit of boxing. Stallone still looks relatively impressive considering his age...DeNiro not quite as much but he does have that epic nasty look in his eye. Both men do look just as impressive in the ring as they did back in the day I must say, they both go at it hammer 'n' tongs and the movie doesn't shy away from the blood sweat and snot. I loved seeing all the old legendary grimaces and scowls from DeNiro during the fight, same can be said for Stallone with his more gormless facial expressions.
The film did poorly I have read but honesty I quite enjoyed this for what it was. Basically a purely nostalgic trip down memory lane or a leap back in time with your Delorean. Its pretty much our last chance to see these guys do what they did all those years ago, what made them famous (for Stallone at least). A simple sports flick with a happy ending and lots of retro appeal for guys and girls around my age and up. I really fail to see how any fan of both stars (or any movie fan) could not enjoy this, the films poster says it all and its a corker of a poster too.
Super Reviewer
Grudge Match is the story of a re-match between two aged boxers with a 30 year grudge against each other. An okay premise, but when the two boxers in question are Rocky Balboa and Jake La Motta (Sylvester Stallone's Rocky and Robert De Niro's Raging Bull) it becomes a seriously exciting premise. Not only is it an interesting thing to see the two fictional versions of Rocky and La Motta fight it out, it is also interesting to see the two actors fight it out. Both Rocky and Raging Bull are recognised as the best boxing films of all time, I personally can't pick a favorate of the two and I'm sure I'm not alone, so the film plays on this premise perfectly. Rocky also beat Taxi Driver in the 1977 Oscars, although neither man won best actor that year, De Niro did win best actor for Raging Bull 4 years later. It's been an even fight ever since and although there are similarities to Rocky's last outing, Rocky Balboa, it is good natured and very tongue in cheek. It's not all good though. The script lets the story down and Kevin Heart's character became a little tedious towards the end. All in all though, the back story and the out of the ring scenes were pretty well thought out with the cliches forgivable and at a minimum. It's wry, likable and good clean fun.
http://cinephilecrocodile.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/grudge-match-dir-peter-segal-2013.html
Super Reviewer
A total blast at the movies that is almost impossible to resist. A real knockout of pure fun and heart. An instant classic. A must-see legendary match up between two great screen legends who totally command the screen together. Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone are at their best, they give great performances and shows that it does not matter how old you are but that you still have passion for what you do and these guys still got it and deliver in it perfectly. Stallone and De Niro just get better and better as the years go on. The rest of the cast is top-notch and great to watch. Kim Basinger is terrific. Kevin Hart is hilarious. Alan Arkin is excellent. Jon Bernthal is wonderful. A wonderfully entertaining and wickedly enjoyable movie filled with remarkable character development. outrageous humor and great in-the ring action. A hilarious, charming and heart-filled film that i truly loved. Movies don't get better than this, it has action, comedy, drama, a great soundtrack and just has a great feeling. The final showdown between Stallone and De Niro is simply awesome.
MoreSuper Reviewer
Grudge Match is a mediocre comedy that had a pretty good idea, but it never takes off. The problem with the film is that it has a dull script with many clichés, and it simply wastes its potential because it's a predictable movie that uses elements from other films in order to create something new here. The result is a mediocre movie that just doesn't have anything going for it. I really wanted to enjoy the film, but the film just doesn't have anything interesting going for it. I expected a bit more out of the film, but it just seems like it's a film that is all over the place, it tries to be a comedy and drama, and yet somehow there are times when one aspect outdoes the other, and it diminishes the enjoyment of the film due to the fact that it ends up being predictable and sloppily thought out. I think it's a shame because Grudge Match really could have been a great film that mixed both comedy and drama, but the filmmakers simply couldn't blend the two genres into a well balanced storyline. Therefore it struggles of what type of film it really tries to be. Both Stallone and De Niro have made better films, and their talents are wasted on such a lacking picture. Don't expect a good film as this one just doesn't have anything going for it to make it worth seeing. Grudge Match starts with an interesting idea, but thirty minutes in, loses track of what it tries to accomplish, therefore by the time the credits roll, it becomes a missed opportunity to make a fun, entertaining and ultimately memorable dramatic comedy.
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Super Reviewer
Grudge Match Quotes
- Henry "Razor" Sharp:
- Well, I can't be in the same room with that guy. Not worth it.
- Dante Slate Jr.:
- The hell you mean it ain't worth it? I'm looking at your house!
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