Grudge Match

Smart, cunning, witty, that was the only way to endure this thing in good health. Because when the two biggest stars undress in the ring, with cuts and action scenes, it's already significantly weaker. However, both Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone are in excellent condition and, as expected, the dialogue sequences are much more entertaining and captivating than the boxing ones, which are only here to underscore the pattern of the story. It is spontaneous and often very funny, without unnecessary tears, sentiment, or annoying reminiscences. (12/01/2014)

A completely ordinary affair with little to dazzle. Two over-aged boxers and their journey to a fight that never happened in their younger years. It's got a simple story that doesn't dazzle, but doesn't significantly annoy either, stereotypical characters, a formulaic script, and De Niro and Stallone quite past their zenith for the part, which is quite entertaining on its own, but also sad to watch. You can feel the heart is in the right place, but it's not enough for me and unfortunately I can't find much else in the film. I honestly wonder what some users are praising so much about it... (13/03/2022)

Nice film. Robert De Niro didn't seem to me a suitable rival for Sylvester Stallone (the difference in physique and age is quite evident), but I can give it a pass. The whole thing has an entertaining pace, the story is interesting, but the jokes lacked charge in my opinion, I smiled rather than laughed, and the final fight had heart. 75% I don't regret watching it. (01/12/2015)

Let's be honest, it's not very original, but at least the film tries to come up with some new ideas that make this old-fashioned spectacle more enjoyable. Two eternal rivals who are set to face each other in the ring again after thirty years. They hate each other, which forms the basis of most of the jokes. Alan Arkin handles most of the best moments, but Sly and De Niro also deliver. The characters are quite clearly defined, but I can't help it, the film resonated with me. It's clear how it will end, but with these actors and this portrayal, I can tolerate it. Maybe just shorten the runtime a bit. (01/01/2014)

Kevin Hart as a chatty black sidekick is more unbearable than any other chatty black sidekick before him. But if you set him aside, Grudge Match is a clichéd but funny, well-balanced feel-good chill-out movie, which you might find even touching in places. And that’s all I remember from it, so two weeks after my initial evaluation I’m decreasing my rating from four to a strong three stars. (16/01/2014)