Undisputed Movie Review:


Undisputed relies on the idea that there can never be two champions. This idea is what allows us to believe in the conflict that follows throughout the film leading up to the climax, a boxing match between two undefeated champs. Unfortunately the story does little except go in circles around this idea for the entire film up to the fight.
In a prison where the prisoners seem to have all the control in what happens, there is an occasional boxing event. Monroe Hutchen, played by the emotionless (or talentless) Wesley Snipes, is the undefeated champion of these boxing tournaments. Hutchen was at one time a champ on the outside until he caught his wife having an affair and beat the lover to death with his bare hands. Now he goes through life in humble silence, except while in the ring.

When the heavyweight champ on the outside, James Iceman Chambers, is convicted of rape, he too is sent to this prison. Iceman, played by Ving Rhames, claims to be completely innocent of this crime and carries a chip on his shoulder after the conviction. Although it is never made clear what really did happen or if he truly is innocent, Iceman sincerely seems to believe that he is innocent.

Soon a match is formed by an oldtimer mobster and boxing fan Mendy Ripstein, who is serving out the last of his days in prison with a great deal of outside concern into his comfort. Ripstein is played by veteran actor Peter Falk who is the greatest asset that this film has, often stealing attention away from the stars. In fact, much of the film would not seem to move if it weren't fro the flashy camera work and the talent and accuracy of Falk's performance.

Although Undisputed is entertaining, and in some ways well made, it is not without it's flaws. Visually, this film seems to be all over the place, trying it's hardest to keep your attention until the big fight. It uses so much fancy camera work that once the fight does happen it seems to have less energy than the rest of the film when nothing was happening. The filmakers also chose to stick in black and white sequences, which was not only unoriginal but also did not always make sense. Many films have used black and white to do the flashback fight sequences in boxing films but undiputed did them all through out the film and for no specific reason.
Undisputed is entertaining and often quite fun to watch, but the greatest part of the film is not the boxing or even the boxers. The greatest part of Undisputed is watching Peter Falk work.

Ryan Izay

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