1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
"Rocky" it ain't..., June 8, 2005
This review is from: The Prize Fighter (DVD)
This film with a boxing theme is about a down and out man, Ed Jones, getting a second chance in life. It's also about the seamy side of the boxing world, with one promoter, Arliss King (Pat Richardson), putting on "Bad News Slugout" shows, which are ultra violent matches, and another corrupt promoter, Whitey (Gary Busey, who sells himself short in this part), out for the fast buck. Ed Jones has a lot of tragedy in his life, with a past of alcohol and fast women, a pregnant wife, and the desire to be a boxer. He agrees to do the "Slugout" shows, aiming for higher things in his career.
The production values, outside of the footage that takes place in the boxing ring, which is well done, are nil. The cinematography is truly atrocious (home movie quality), the editing equally awful, and the audio sometimes fades in and out, with the occasional strange dubbing, but despite the "zero budget" look, I'm sure the film will be of interest to fight fans. In a fine performance as Ed Jones, Rob Boyd has a good screen presence, and is believable as the central character of the boxer.
Leon Spinks, a great fighter who in real life has seen the ups and downs of a career in the boxing ring, has a small part, as does infamous skater Tonya Harding.
I'm giving this film an extra star, because even though the babes prance around topless in several scenes, we are spared the constant barrage of foul language that often permeates this type of film, and for this I thank writer/director Mark Mason.
Total running time is 90 minutes.
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2.0 out of 5 stars
Terrible movie, November 3, 2011
This review is from: The Prize Fighter (DVD)
My grandfather is in this movie which is why I purchased it. It's barely watchable, if that. Unless you have a relative in it and/or want to support local (Tulsa,OK) film-making, stay away from this one.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Docudrama Style, September 4, 2007
This review is from: The Prize Fighter (DVD)
I don't know if the people depicted in this movie are real or not, but it is done in a docudrama style, which probably accounts for its less than slick Hollywood production values. The story is weak enough that it seemed to me they were trying to get in the relevant facts of the prize fighter's life. I do have to say that having gone to university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, it rang true as being set in that area. The local boxing promoter made me think of the late-night advertisements for a local furniture store back in the 1960s. I think this movie would be of most interest to folks who lived in Oklahoma during that time period.
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