Undisputed (film)
| Undisputed | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Walter Hill |
| Written by | Walter Hill David Giler |
| Produced by | Walter Hill Wesley Snipes Brad Krevoy |
| Starring | Wesley Snipes Ving Rhames Peter Falk Michael Rooker Jon Seda Wes Studi |
| Cinematography | Lloyd Ahern II |
| Edited by | Freeman A. Davies Phil Norden |
| Music by | Stanley Clarke |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Miramax Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $20 million[1] |
| Box office | $15,220,548[1] |
Undisputed is a 2002 American sports drama film written, produced and directed by Walter Hill, and starring Wesley Snipes and Ving Rhames. The film was released in the United States on August 23, 2002.
It performed poorly at the box-office and received mixed reviews from critics. The film found success in the home video market, and later with a direct-to-video sequel without any of the original cast members, Undisputed II: Last Man Standing, was released in 2006. A second sequel, Undisputed III: Redemption, was released in 2010 following Undisputed II's Yuri Boyka as the main character.
Plot
Undisputed heavyweight boxing champion George "Iceman" Chambers is convicted of rape and sentenced to a new prison in the desert called Sweetwater. The high-security facility is populated by hardened criminals. Unaware of the prison's ways and its unique hierarchy, the pompous and bratty Chambers tries to impress upon the inmates his status as a champion boxer.
The prison camp, within its own walls, has a riveting competition on which a betting syndicate thrives. Criminals fight in boxing matches with very lax rules, thus making it a very addictive and lucrative venture for the syndicate while their conscience is kept at bay. The most popular boxer behind bars is Sweetwater's undefeated Monroe Hutchens, who ends up in solitary confinement after Chambers picks a fight with him in the mess hall.
Sensing the brewing hatred for the heavyweight champion, an incarcerated mob boss named Ripstein senses potential in a match between the modest Hutchens and the egomaniacal Chambers. A match is proposed by Ripstein, a lifelong boxing fan, and the warden is persuaded to look the other way.
As all the arrangements are finally organized, an eagerly awaited fight night arrives. All hell breaks loose with the haughty professional champ going all out against the unputdownable prison warrior. Chambers finally meets his match. When he is later released from prison, he regains the "undisputed" heavyweight championship of the outside world.
Cast
- Wesley Snipes as Monroe "Undisputed" Hutchens
- Ving Rhames as George "Iceman" Chambers
- Peter Falk as Mendy Ripstein
- Michael Rooker as A.J. Mercker
- Jon Seda as Jesus 'Chuy' Campos
- Wes Studi as Mingo Pace
- Fisher Stevens as Ratbag Dolan
- Master P as Gat Boyz Rapper 1
- Ed Lover as Marvin Bonds
- Dayton Callie as Yank Lewis
- Dennis Arndt as the Warden
- Bruce A. Young
Soundtrack
A soundtrack containing hip hop music was released on March 5, 2002 by Universal Records. It peaked at #101 on the Billboard 200 and #41 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
Reception
The film received mixed reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 48% based on reviews from 104 critics. The site's consensus is: While not the deepest boxing movie out there, Undisputed is successful at hitting its aspiration of being nothing more than a genre picture.[2]