Grudge Match, a film Chris Eubank might describe as “a parade of pugilistic perfection” (were he in an alliterative mood), matches up two big-screen boxers in a marketing man’s dream bout. In the right corner is Rocky ‘the Italian Stallion’ Balboa; in the left, Jake ‘The Raging Bull’ LaMotta. There can only be one winner.
This new featurette shows Stallone proving that he can still float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, seven years after his last action in the ring with Rocky Balboa.
The movie follows two old school boxers, both of whose careers peaked in the 1980s, reunited for one final, epic showdown. The fight is the brainchild – well, _wallet_child – of boxing promoter Dante (Kevin Hart), who spots an opportunity to reunite bitter old rivals Billy ‘The Kid’ McDonnen (De Niro) and Henry ‘Razor’ Sharp (Stallone), who traded blows and championship belts before Razor announced his retirement prior to a big deciding match.
Before they get back in the ring, though, the pair meet filming motion-capture scenes for a new boxing game, and the old conflict comes bubbling back to the surface. Soon, the HBO bout is a hot ticket, but can the two old timers make it through training? Not if it Alan Arkin’s trainer keeps up with the horse pee, we’re thinking. He’s taking the whole ‘Italian stallion’ thing a little literally.
Grudge Match will climb into the ring on January 24. In the meantime, check out its trailer for more of a flavour of what to expect.