Review of Grudge Match (2013) by Stuart K — 28 Apr 2014

Directed by Peter Segal (Naked Gun 33?: The Final Insult (1994), Anger Management (2003) and Get Smart (2008)), this sports comedy has a very old fashioned feel to it, and while it is a good idea bringing two screen legends, best known for iconic roles as boxers, together for a bout.

It does feel like a tough guys version of a Jack Lemmon/Walter Matthau film, with bickering and moaning making up for the laughs. In the 1980's, boxers Henry "Razor" Sharp (Sylvester Stallone) and Billy "The Kid" McDonnen (Robert De Niro), both from Pittsburgh, gained a rivalry for two matches they had, where one beat the other, and vice versa.

But the rematch to determine champion never came. Henry retired, leaving Billy fuming. Cut to present day, Henry is approached by promoter Dante Slate Jr. (Kevin Hart) to do some boxing moves for a computer game, but when he arrives to find Billy there, a fight breaks out, which becomes a viral sensation on YouTube.

Hence a Grudge Match is organised, to determine champion once and for all. Henry recruits his old trainer, Louis "Lightning" Conlon (Alan Arkin) to get fit, while Billy gets back into shape with help from his estranged son B.

J. (Jon Bernthal). While it's worth it for the match at the end, something like this should have been made 15-20 years ago, as it does feel like a comedy from the 1990's. Not all of it is perfect, but there are some laughs to be had, and it is a little better than some have made it out to be, but don't go expecting Rocky or Raging Bull.