| The
Review: |
The thing that surprised me the
most about "Undisputed" was not the boxing, the performances,
or the stylistic influences, but the fact that Jerry Bruckheimer
is not credited as a producer. I mean, come on: everything,
and I do mean everything about this movie reeks of the producer's
usual tactics, like the big, flashy production values, the
dimwitted plot that goes down in the first round, the underdeveloped
characters, and cheap thrills, this time centered on boxing
matches. There's only one thing missing from this movie that
such films as "Gone in 60 Seconds" and "Con Air," stupid as
they were, possessed: a fun factor. ***
The film is directed by Walter
Hill, who from the very beginning goes right to work keeping
us from attaining any amount of pleasure from his latest venture.
The opening credits are a mishmash of various elements, including
everything from shots of a boxing match taking place within
prison walls (now we really know where our tax dollars are
going, America), to close-ups of various prisoners complete
with read-outs of their character names, date of conviction,
and their crime (we also get a full onslaught of subtitles
telling us dates, locations, and everything else the filmmakers
thought we'd be too stupid to realize). And as if that weren't
enough reason to gouge our eyes out, the incessantly stupid
hip-hop soundtrack is always there to remind us that the film
is riddled with cliche even in its stylistic influences. ***
The gist of the story centers on
Monroe Hutchins (Wesley Snipes), the boxing champion of California's
new maximum security prison, Sweetwater. Hutchins is the typical
reclusive prisoner who spends most of his days quiet and unbothered,
making buildings and bridges out of toothpicks and sticks
(no, he's not a head case). Everything is fine and dandy in
Sweetwater, until recently convicted Iceman Chambers (Ving
Rhames), the "undisputed" world heavyweight champion, is transferred
to the facility. Tempers heat up, muscles flex, punches are
thrown, and pretty soon everyone is hungry for a matchup between
Chambers and Hutchins. ***
Okay, for starters, let's get the
usual, expected flaws out of the way, beginning with the ridiculous
plot, so full of implausibilities and scenes of disbelief
that it makes all the forgivable holes in the story of last
year's prison-drama pleaser, "The Last Castle," look like
pinpricks by comparison. A prison that hosts boxing matches,
where boxers from other prisons come to spar off? A solitary
confinement chamber where they completely weld the door shut
from the outside? A warden who breaks under the pressure of
a mob boss and allows his facility to substitute for Caesar's
Palace? I don't think so. ***
Then there's the generic characters,
who are nothing more than mere objects rather than human beings.
Despite some commendable efforts from Snipes and Rhames, as
well as some of the supporting cast, we never have any reason
to give a damn about who's going to win the big fight, and
who's going to make off with a nice chunk of change depending
on the victor. Rhames is excellent in portraying Chambers'
bravado and arrogance, and through the use of a subplot involving
his claims of innocence against accusations of rape, we're
meant to believe he has some redeeming value. But, the testosterone
high soon wears off, and his "Who's your daddy?" attitude
gets old too quick. ***
Snipes' Hutchins, convicted of
a murder he committed out of jealousy and anger, is apparently
the one we're supposed to identify with later in the film,
but by the time we get around to his side of the plot, the
disinterest level has plummetted drastically. When the final
fight rolls around, we're left with no one to root for, and
as a result, the big showdown has about the same punch and
energy level as "Ali," another boxing stinker. ***
The supporting cast is filled with
familiar faces who do nothing but sit there, stagnant, waiting
for their lines, and reading them as if they don't believe
in a word of it. Peter Falk is given the role of an imprisoned
mobster who spends his days threatening people through his
sources on the outside, and spouting swears every other word.
Nichael Rooker is typecast as a cocky prison officer, while
Wes Studi is completely wasted as Chambers' timid cellmate.
***
"Undisputed" may have some good
performances, and those willing to suspend any and all disbelief
may actually find the film to be somewhat enjoyable. Those
looking for something more than just an outright waste of
talent and style will agree with me when I say that this one
stinks like a pair of boxing trunks. Apparently, Walter Hill
has learned nothing since his directorial efforts in 2000's
debacle "Supernova;" funnily enough, he, along with Francis
Ford Coppola and Jack Sholder, chose not to be credited. Maybe
he should have done the same here. --
|
| Image
and Sound |
While the movie may not be the most
pleasing of all boxing films/prison dramas, the DVD transfer
is first-rate. The 2.35:1 widescreen image has been anamorphically
enhanced, and features almost no signs of artifacting or flaws.
Soem edges may appear a bit soft in darker scenes, but nothing
too shabby; the rest of the movie is razor-sharp. Colors are
vivid and well-saturated, without bleeding or marring, and
are complimented by accurate fleshtones and deep, pure blacks.
A well-done effort. ***
The sound is mastered in Dolby Digital
5.1, and is a very energetic mix that suits the material.
The hip-hop-heavy soundtrack can be heard from the front and
rear channels, expanding nicely across the soundstage while
so making a home in the .1 LFE with rich, deep beats. Dialogue
is nicely centered and sounds clean, with the exception of
a single noticeable ADR flaw (in the opening chapter of the
DVD, the announcer in the initial fight refers to Snipes'
character as "undisputed," but is clearly mouthing the word
"undefeated"). Sound effects, when prevalent, can be quite
engaging in the surrounds, and overall, the track delivers
the excitement you'd expect. --
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