Review of Grudge Match (2013) by Jeff B — 20 Jan 2014

An Easy Bake H'Wood 12-rounder worth grudgingly accepting, this Match game brings 2 movie legends to blows when it should be putting them out to pasture. It's not exactly the first pensioner punch-out. Hell, Grudge Match co-star Sylvester Stallone already tried out this formula successfully with the way-better-than-expected boxing sequel Rocky Balboa. Here, however, he's given a sparring partner of nearly equal weight, none other than Raging Bull star Robert De Niro. The irony of Rocky Vs. Jake LaMotta isn't lost on them or the audience.

In this PG-13-rated dramedy, a pair of aging boxing rivals (De Niro, Stallone) get coaxed out of retirement and back into the ring for one final bout -- 30 years after their last match.

It takes a decent script to keep these industry heavy bags on solid footing. Even though the screenplay isn't as tight as a turnbuckle, it does present a compelling - albeit familiar - canvas. As neatly packaged and tightly scripted as an A-Level Screenwriting 101 final project, Grudge Match lands predictable beat for predictable beat but still manages to keep the crowd invested. Oh, they'll roll their eyes at a machine gun clip (especially at a sing songy and precociously annoying kid who needs a knock out himself), but all involved go through the movements of giving bettors a fight that's obviously thrown, but deceptively entertaining.

Bottom line: Rousing Bull.