Stallone and De Niro's novelty carries this thin boxing comedy only so far.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
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Critic consensus
Critical reception for Grudge Match leans mixed-to-negative, with most reviewers finding the film a passable but hollow exercise built primarily on the novelty of pairing Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro. Alan Arkin drew repeated specific praise across reviews for his performance as the trainer Lightning, while De Niro and Stallone were acknowledged more for their screen presence and past legacies than for genuine effort or emoting. Common criticisms include a thin, patchwork story, dramatically unconvincing moments, and a sense that the project exists solely to exploit the actors' iconic boxing roles rather than tell a meaningful story. Several reviewers noted that the post-credits sequences were among the film's highlights, a telling sign of where its energy was concentrated.
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 9 critic reviews · may contain errors
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Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
Getting into plot details is futile because the 'story' is just a patchwork of ideas from the loony bin of Hollywood just to get De Niro and Stallone in the same frame together. Everything the film attempts is obscenely hollow and half assed. The film is quite cringe-inducing in the 'dramatic' moments because you know the filmmaker is laughing as the camera rolls.
Film review ·
The training sequences are sluggish and intentionally funny and indeed much of the film's humour plays off on their respective ages. But that's all secondary to the fact that these two once played the legendary characters Rocky Balboa and Jake LaMotta. These veterans still pack in their punches for sure.
Film review ·
Robert De Niro, Alan Arkin and Sylvester Stallone bring the magic. Remember to watch out for Lightning's quick wit and jokes. The movie is about keeping the gloves up, keeping the chin down, striding into the centre of the ring and finishing the bout with heads held high.
Film review ·
With a plethora of talent, the performances are good with De Niro and Stallone sharing the honours and Alan Arkin whose deaf-mute role in The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter is still fresh in memory while Kim Bassinger, after a long break, still has enough oomph to remind one of Jane Fonda in her heyday. All in all Grudge Match is well worth going to.
Film review ·
More humour than hurt in this match up. Wait for the post credits sequences to get perhaps the best laughs of the movie and that might just about make the movie worth the price of the admission.
Film review ·
Watch it without much expectation, and you won't hold a grudge against this match.
Film review ·
Today, De Niro is 70 and Stallone 67 - both fit and agile. They seem to be banking on their past laurels and hence have not put in much effort to emote. Considering their pervious performance as boxers, this one does not even qualify for Oscar nominations, but nevertheless they are persuasive and convincing.
Film review ·
The only reason you might want to watch the film is because of the two lead actors. And if you do, make sure you stay till the end credits roll, the best part of the film, a cameo, is during the credits.
Film review ·
You can afford to miss this if you aren't a fan of either of the actors or a fan of boxing. As a long-time Stallone fan, I choose to excuse myself from this wreck because I cannot stand to see a performer I admire so much do something like this. If you must watch it, do it for Alan Arkin, who plays Stallone's trainer, Lightning. He's the only one who seems to have put any kind of effort into it.
Credits
Robert De NiroBilly "The Kid" McDonnen
Sylvester StalloneHenry "Razor" Sharp
Alan ArkinLightning
Jon BernthalB.J.
Kevin HartDante Slate
Kim BasingerSally RoseEnglish films like Grudge Match
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