‘GRUDGE MATCH’ (review)

Review by Clay N Ferno

Produced by Peter Segal, Michael Ewing, Bill Gerber,

Mark Steven Johnson, Ravi D. Mehta

Screenplay by Doug Ellin, Tim Kelleher, Rodney Rothman

Directed by Peter Segal

Starring Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Kevin Hart,

Alan Arkin, Kim Basinger, Jon Bernthal

Somehow, Jake “Raging Bull” LaMotta and Rocky Balboa are pitted against each other in a fight to end a 30 year rivalry while both are in their golden years.

Grudge Match is directed by Peter Segal and surprises audiences with funny performances by DeNiro and Stallone alongside Kevin Hart, Alan Arkin and Kim Basinger. This Christmas release is funnier and classier than the initial pitch sounds, with family moments and longtime rivalries being at the center of the tension in the film.

An ersatz sequel to Rocky Balboa (2006), this comedy starts with a theme of that movie.

Dante Slate, Jr. (Kevin Hart) is the son of late 70’s boxing promoter Dante Slate, and he approaches Henry ‘Razor’ Sharp to provide motion capture for a new boxing game.

Also appearing in the game, Billy ‘The Kid’ McDonnen (DeNiro). The appeal of extra money convinces Razor to join in—as long as his rival The Kid is not at the studio.

Something happened in the past that is unforgivable, and the 30 year grudge weighs on both of the older gentlemen.

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