Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
A pair of aging boxing rivals are coaxed out of retirement to fight one final bout -- 30 years after their last match.
Grudge Match is a formulaic sports comedy that leans heavily on the novelty of casting Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro — both famous for iconic boxing roles — against each other. The plot is predictable and recycled, hitting every expected beat of the aging-rivals-get-one-more-shot genre. The acting is a modest bright spot, with the two leads bringing genuine charisma and comic timing, supported by solid work from Alan Arkin and Kevin Hart. Cinematography is functional but unremarkable for the genre. The ending delivers satisfying emotional closure without surprising anyone. The film works as light entertainment but offers little that is distinctive or original beyond its casting hook.