Summary
Grudge Match, an under-the-radar sports-comedy film featuring Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro, weirdly pays off a 33-year-old movie dream for viewers. Directed by Peter Segal (Tommy Boy),Grudge Matchcenters on two aging boxers, Henry “Razor” Sharp (Stallone) and Billy “The Kid” McDonnen (De Niro), who step into the ring for a final match-up. Back in their glory days,the Pittsburgh-based boxers became storied rivals after a couple of fights. Kid and Razor each lost one fight during their long careers — to each other.
With their rivalry tied one-to-one, Kid wants nothing more than a final rematch, while Razor is keen to retire. Years later,Grudge Match’s Razor is in dire financial straits — and Kid’s ego is as big as ever. Through a series of somewhat-ridiculous events, Kid and Razor wind up providing motion-capture performances for a video game. While recording for the game, Kid and Razor get into a brawl. When footage of the old rivals' fight goes viral, Kevin Hart’s character,promoter Dante Slate Jr., organizes a final grudge match between Razor and Kid.
The Two Movie Stars Both Made Iconic Boxing Movies
The conceit ofGrudge Matchis a bit silly, but the real-world circumstances make it much more fun. Stallone, who starred in theRockyfilms, and De Niro, who starred inRaging Bull, are responsible for perhaps the twogreatest portrayals of boxers in movie history. Written by Stallone, the three-time Oscar-winningRockyhit theaters in 1976 and went on to gross $225 million against a production budget of less than $1 million. In addition to launching Stallone’s career,Rockyspawned a six-movie franchiseas well as theCreedspin-off trilogy starring Michael B. Jordan.
Rockybecame a pop-cultural phenomenon in the ’70s, but, by 1980, a new boxing film entered the fray.
Responsible for popularizing the rags-to-riches sports drama narrative,Rockybecame a pop-cultural phenomenon in the ’70s, but, by 1980, a new boxing film entered the fray. Directed by Martin Scorsese,Raging Bullchronicles the epic rise and turbulent fall of middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta (De Niro). Despite an incredibly underwhelming box office gross,Raging Bullwent on to win two Oscars. Now considered one of thegreatest sports movies ever made,Raging Bullmay tell a very different story than theRockymovies, butboth spotlight the inherent drama of boxing.
“I Never Intended To Work With De Niro”: Sylvester Stallone Clarifies Rumors Of Robert De Niro Feud
Sylvester Stallone speaks out and clarifies rumors about his supposed feud with Robert De Niro and never wanting to work together with him again.
It’s Fun To See De Niro & Stallone Share The Screen After All These Years
AlthoughGrudge Match’s reviewsare poor — and although it only has a 31% aggregate score on Rotten Tomatoes — it’s still worth a watch for fans of Stallone, De Niro, and boxing movies at large. Despite its cliché-riddled plot, the best part ofGrudge Matchis the way it’s in conversation with theRockymoviesandRaging Bull. For example, Stallone’s Razor is an underdog who’s in it for the money, while De Niro’s Kid is undone by his own arrogance and ambition. Ultimately, the formulaic fun ofGrudge Matchmilks its acting heavyweights for all they’re worth.
Why Martin Scorsese Shot Raging Bull In Black & White (Despite Changing 1 Major Boxing Element)
Despite knowing that it significantly tones down one boxing element, Martin Scorsese intentionally chose to shoot Raging Bull in Black and White.
Cast
AlthoughGrudge Matchis the acting duo’s more recent team-up, Stallone and De Niro’s best outing is by far 1997’sCop Land. Fifteen years beforeGrudge Match, the actors appeared in James Mangold’s (Logan) neo-noir crime drama, which sees Stallone playing Freddy Heflin, the sheriff of a small New Jersey town.Stallone’s Heflin winds up confronting corrupt NYPD officers, including characters played by Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, and, of course, De Niro. Full of powerhouse performances and intense moments of suspense,Cop Landis Sylvester Stallone’s most underrated movie— even now.
Grudge Match
Directed by Peter Segal, Grudge Match is a Sports Comedy film starring Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, and Kevin Hart. The plot sees two retired boxers having a grudge match to settle a long-time rivalry.
