UNDISPUTED (2002)

MORGAN'S RATING

Undisputed tells the story of an undefeated world champion prize fighter named Iceman Chambers who is convicted of rape and sent to prison, where he must confront and ultimately fight the reigning prison boxing champion, Monroe Hutchens.

Wesley Snipes (Monroe Hutchens), Ving Rhames (Iceman Chambers), Peter Falk (Mendy Ripstein), Michael Rooker (A.J. Mercker), Jon Seda (Jesus 'Chuy' Campos), Wes Studi (Mingo Pace), Fisher Stevens (Ratbag Dolan), Dayton Callie (Yank Lewis), Amy Aquino (Darlene Early), Johnny Williams (Al), Joe D'Angerio (Vinnie), Nils Allen Stewart (Vern Van Zandt), Denis Arndt (Warden Lipscom), Ed Lover (Marvin Bonds), Master P (Rapper), Vyshonne Miller (Rapper), C-Murder (Rapper), boz (Rapper), Nicholas Cascone (Barry Pearl), Bruce A. Young (Charles Soward), Byron Minns (Saladin), Taylor Young (Emily Byrne), Susan Dalian (Jonelle), Johnathan Wesley Wallace (Antoine Bonet), J.W. Smith (Mess Guard), John David Jackson (Man), Michael Bailey Smith (Skinhead), Peter Jason (Oakland TV Announcer), Steve Heinze (Carlos), Ken Medlock (Guard), George Grigas (Tower Guard), Christopher Wynne (Central Security Guard), George Christy (Reporter), James Alan Hensz (Reporter), John D. Harrington (Reporter), Toby Gibson (Referee).

TWO ENEMIES...THE MOB...THE ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Walter Hill (48 HRS.) WRITERS: David Giler and Walter Hill. PRODUCERS: Walter Hill, Brad Krevoy and Andrew Sugerman. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Anthony Hartman. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Boaz Davidson, Danny Dimbort, Avi Lerner, Sandra Schulberg, Trevor Short, Wesley Snipes and John Thompson. CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Jason E. Frankel. LINE PRODUCER: Michael P. Flannigan. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Stanley Clarke. DISTRIBUTOR: Miramax Films.

FACTS

RELEASE DATE: August 23rd, 2002 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $4.5 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $12.3 million (USA) BUDGET: $5 million (USA) SHOOTING DATES: January 2001 -- March 2001 - Wesley Snipes objected to Miramax's demand to do a scene that would make his character more sympathetic. - This film was actually filmed at 2 different Nevada prisons as well as having a major fight scene filmed at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV capus. - Snipes worked out with boxing trainer Emanuel Steward to prepare for his role in the film. Steward is in the International Boxing Hall of Fame for training boxers like Thomas Hearns and Lennox Lewis. - The title appears on screen four times during the entire film.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"An average B-movie with no aspirations to be anything more." -- James Berardinelli, Reel Views

"This is the kind of movie that gets a quick release before real contenders arrive in September." -- Mike Clark, USA Today

"Walter Hill's Undisputed is like a 1940s Warner Bros. B picture, and I mean that as a compliment." -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

"A shrewd and splendidly volatile B movie structured around a highly original gambit of suspense." -- Owen Gleiberman, EW

"Even by its own please-the-mob standards, this movie is lacking." -- Desson Howe, Washington Post