Who would win a fight between Rocky Balboa and Jake La Motta? ...This film won't answer that but you will get a warm 80's style feel good movie

Rating: 7/10 (29 January 2014)

30 years ago, rival heavyweights Kid McDonaugh and Henry Razor Sharp were bitter rivals, each winning a match. But the great rematch never happened because Sally Rose, Sharp's great love punished his obsession by sleeping with his greatest enemy, giving birth to an illegitimate son which he is kept from. Now, after a punch up between the rivals at a video game motion capture goes horribly wrong, all the world wants a rematch. It means getting back into shape, and facing some old demons which must be put finally to rest if they are to ever find peace.
Yes, this is one of those films where you know exactly what is going to happen and how the moment it begins. Yes, it is rather silly and the two big stars are laughing at their own proud filmographies. No, it has no real reason to exist and no, you won't remember it the day after you saw it. It is lightweight fluff, but the question is, is it well made and entertaining fluff?
As befits a film starring three stars of the 80's, it has a very Eighties feel to it. The humour is quite tame and respectful and it is unashamedly sentimental and manipulative ( you can predict to a nanosecond when the piano and strings are going to come in) but always keeps on the right side of maudlin and vomit inducing saccharine. There is humour, most of it the obvious " old guys can't do it so well anymore kind" and easy shots on their former roles as Rocky and LA Motta. Of course after some long overdue training the old guys CAN do it, and better than the youngsters like the arrogant MMA fighter they knock out, or L L Cool J who gets floored in his own gym. However, for the most part its a straight drama (80's style) with obstacles and tests put in the returning champions way like arena challenges from The Hunger Games. Kid has to belatedly get to know the estranged son he had with Sally back in the day ( and his annoyingly cute 8 yr old grandson) while Sharp has to finally face his demons and rekindle his suspended relationship with the now handily widowed Sally, and accept his share of the blame for her vengeful wandering. Then there's Kid's wandering ways and Sharp's partial blindness to contend with too. Naturally the fight goes ahead, though anyone expecting fireworks will be disappointed. This looks exactly like two pensioners slugging it out in boxer shorts, which is as slow, clumsy and frankly disturbing as you would imagine. Of course, having established both the crusties as good guys, you watch wondering how they will deliver the inevitable happy ending for both despite the fact that one has to win and one lose.
Acting wise, everyone does their part well. Stallone naturally plays a riff on Rocky, solid blue collar dignity and humble reserve while De Niro is in sleazy drunken womaniser thug LA Motta mode. Basinger, who unlike the others has been notably absent from the big screen, gives Sally a quiet nobility and maturity, and makes us care about her return to Sharp's life and future happiness. Jon Bernthal is equally noble and dignified as Kid's illegitimate son, a sort of better version of his father with all the graces and none of the vices. Alan Larkin, who thank God is still brightening up movies in his dotage, is on sharp wisecracking form as a sort of Mickey mixed with a Borscht-belt comedian, while Kevin Hart, the youngster of the line up, does his usual screechy ghetto wiseass routine as the son of the crooked promoter who engineers the rematch.
Don't except a laugh out loud comedy fest nor a hilarious meta satire, nor a tough boxing movie. It's a warm and fuzzy old school feel good pic, and if that's what you're after the this one should please.