Insult to Both Rocky and Raging Bull.

Rating: 4/10 (20 March 2016)

Grudge Match (2013): Dir: Peter Segal / Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Kevin Hart, Alan Arkin, Kim Basinger: Cliché filled cheap embarrassment about higher potential, which this film sadly lacks. It stars two ageing boxers, Sylvester Stallone as Henry "Razor" Sharp and Robert De Niro as Billy "the Kid" McDonnen who both scored victories over each other during the early 1980's but a tie breaker was never realized. With technology booming both boxers are sought after for a video game but an unfortunate encounter brings bad memories and a fist fight that makes it viral world wide. From there it becomes a routine training session for the way late big fight as both guys clearly dislike each and are indulged in stupid publicity stunts that visualize their age disadvantage. The climatic boxing match is actually better than expected pitting Stallone of Rocky and De Niro of Raging Bull against each other. Unfortunately everything leading up to it has them reduced to overacting. Sharp discovers that he is blind in one eye and struggles to reconnect with the woman who was involved with both men. McDonnen is met with his grown son whom he takes on as a trainer. Kevin Hart overplays it as a promoter, and Alan Arkin plays a hearing impaired former trainer to Sharp. Kim Basinger plays the woman with a past with both fighters and a presence less inspiring. Director Peter Segal has done better with comedies such as The Naked Gun 33 1/3 and 50 First Dates. Theme regards how despite age we all leave a legacy. Unfortunately this film leaves its audience with the only grudge to bare. Score: 4 / 10