‘Grudge Match’ Trailer: The Raging Bull Fights Rocky For Chuckles
Since Robert De Niro has been spoofing his mafia roles and tough guy image for more than a decade now, it shouldn't be surprising he's goofing on another of his signature roles (this time Jake La Motta) for a new comedy. In 'Grudge Match' he plays an over-the-hill boxer who returns to the ring to fight one of his toughest opponents, with Sylvester Stallone (playing on his Rocky Balboa character) as his rival.
This first trailer is pretty premise heavy. Henry 'Razor' Sharp (De Niro) and Billy 'The Kid' McDonnen (Stallone) fought twice in their youth, with each winning one fight, but they never fought again. When a video game wants to use their likenesses they see each other again and tempers flare. But their conflict becomes a viral video, which leads to a new boxing match for a big paycheck and likely some sort of redemption.
With a supporting cast that includes Kevin Hart, Alan Arkin and Kim Basinger, this looks exactly like the sort of film that's good to take parents (or more specifically, fathers) to during the holiday season, which is likely why the film is coming out this Christmas. As a trailer -- though the material looks familiar -- it definitely could be compelling, even if De Niro doing these sorts of roles has played itself out. 'Grudge Match' hits theaters December 25.