| Undisputed | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Walter Hill |
| Produced by | Walter Hill Wesley Snipes Brad Krevoy |
| Written by | Walter Hill David Giler |
| Starring | Wesley Snipes Ving Rhames Peter Falk Michael Rooker Jon Seda Wes Studi Fisher Stevens |
| Music by | Stanley Clarke |
| Cinematography | Lloyd Ahern II |
| Editing by | Freeman A. Davies Phil Norden |
| Studio | Millennium Films Motion Picture Corporation of America |
| Distributed by | Miramax Films |
| Release date(s) | August 23, 2002 |
| Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $20 million |
| Box office | $15,220,548 |
Undisputed is a 2002 action-thriller-drama movie released through Miramax. It starred and was co-produced by Wesley Snipes, co-starring Ving Rhames.
The film was directed and produced by Walter Hill, and written by David Giler and Hill, who is probably best known as the writer/director of 48 Hrs. and Streets of Fire, but had most recently directed Supernova. He and Giler had previously collaborated on the Alien series and Southern Comfort.
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 Uri Boyka as the main character.
Contents |
Chambers arrives at the prison and, arrogant and rude, mocks the warden telling him "I'm better than you, the press love me". Immediately after this Chambers learns of Monroe's undisputed status as prison boxing champion and immediately there is bad blood, Chambers not wanting to be second to anyone tries and fails to intimidate a relaxing Monroe. It leads to a lunch-room confrontation between the men, where Iceman makes several empty threats against Monroe, who ignores the loudmouth in a display of cool and confidence which angers Iceman. Seeing this; Ripstein, who is a true historian and lover of boxing, arranges worldwide betting on the big fight to see which one is the real undisputed champ. Following this we learn that it was Monroe who was punished with solitary confinement, despite it being Iceman who initiated the fight in the lunchroom; in an aside we note a half completed model of the Eiffel Tower on a table in the middle of the solitary cell.
Noticeably whilst George "Iceman" Chambers persists in causing violence and upsetting the established order, whilst also vehemently denying his Guilt for the Rape; Monroe Hutchen is completely the opposite, he openly admits to the murder he committed, is quiet, reflective and assured of his abilities. Iceman is offered a 'gift' by the leader of a powerful drug gang in the form of a male prostitute, however a violent Iceman jumps up, indulges in a ferocious fight with the gang members.
Soon Iceman beats up, hits and mocks one person too many; and finally upsets everyone in the prison and they offer Monroe the chance to drug Iceman in advance of the fight, which Monroe refuses, knowing he can bring Iceman down, using his old saying "no matter how good you are, everybody can be beat". Meanwhile Ripstein's criminal associates try to bribe a convict who is assigned to protect Ripstein, Jesus"Chuy"Campos, to aid them in rigging the match. However, Campos, soon comes to realize that Ripstein wants a legitimate fight and refuses the offer.
Ripstein is excited and joyous at the prospect of the boxing match and tries to negoiate for a bare-knuckle boxing match, however the Governor and Iceman's manager Yank Lewis refuses this and Jesus"Chuy"Campos persuades Ripstein that using boxing gloves will lengthen the fight and this will make for a better match, Ripstein, agrees to drop the bare knuckle option and allow the use of 6 ounce boxing gloves.
As the tension mounts we see a flashback to Monroe's conviction 10 years ago, the champion boxer came home to find his neighbor in bed with his wife. Outraged Monroe smacked the man in the head and then punched him to death in a fit of anger, he was informed that as a professional Boxer he could "Respond with Deadly experience and force" and was sentenced to Life in prison with no Parole, ever; meaning Monroe will die in prison.
Later, Iceman and Monroe finally step into the ring to prove that only one of them is the undisputed champion. Iceman and Monroe start the fight just feeling each other out, both scoring damaging hits; then Iceman knocks Monroe down in the first round. Next round begins in the same fashion with Iceman and Monroe trading blows; again Monroe is knocked down and visibly hurt. Third round begins with Monroe taking more hits from Iceman, but Monroe dodges a right hook from the Iceman and counters with a left hook that staggers Iceman to the point of Monroe hitting him without defending himself and knocking him down for the first time in his fighting career. Iceman becomes furious and the next round begins. Monroe and Iceman continue to trade blows; Iceman throws another right hook with all of his power behind it but Monroe dodges and hits Iceman with a barrage of punches. After a devastating right hook, Monroe wins the fight via knockout.
Three weeks later Ripstein has died from from Chronic Liver Cancer and has made the following contributions, Iceman is given early Parole, Monroe Hutchen is moved to a nicer, larger and generally more accommodating cell and Jesus"Chuy"Campos is given $2 million in legitimate money, held in trust until his five year stretch for multiple grand theft auto and armed robbery is served. Jesus"Chuy"Campos notes, in an internal monologue, that he no longer has an excuse to be a criminal which is good. Finally he tells the Viewer that Iceman and his Press team have denied that the fight with Monroe ever happened. When the whole prison watches Iceman regain his 'World Champion' Title on TV they all mock the Announcer claim that George is "Undisputed".
As the prisoners chant his name again an oblivious Monroe completes a Matchstick model of the golden gate bridge. A freeze frame occurs and a message appears next to Monroe's head, Name: Monroe Hutchen Record: 69 wins 0 losses; Undisputed. The film then cuts straight to the end credits.
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.
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