Resurrecting the Champ (2007)

The Champ

Great acting from Josh Hartnett and Samuel Jackson! The story is good but the twist is disheartening! It is worth a watch. There is language so it isn't for all ages. July 10, 2008

A Kock-Out Punch!

A solid morality play with a jaw-dropper of a twist ending, RESURRECTING THE CHAMP scores a knockout with great acting and a thought-provoking message.

Samuel L. Jackson turns in a brilliant performance as a washed-up boxer who now calls the streets and back alleys of Denver his home. Josh Harnett also shows subtle acting chops as the young reporter determined to tell the Champ's story. Alan Alda, too, is utterly convincing as the tough but kind newspaper editor who pushes his young writers to greatness.

The film shows a wonderful understanding of newsroom dynamics, and how writers and editors conspire to reel in a great story on deadline.

The movie's only weak point comes in the form of some heavy-handed moralizing that would have been better left to the viewers' own conclusions.

However - with its truly shocking conclusion and an excellent ensemble cast, RESURRECTING THE CHAMP is a film no viewer will soon forget. June 23, 2008

The biggest fight of all: truth vs. myth...

Never mind what you think of boxing pictures, sports pictures, or Josh Hartnett. Resurrecting the Champ concerns weighty matters of journalistic ethics, workplace ethics, how fathers raise their sons, the lives of the homeless, the steps people must take to achieve maturity, and most importantly, how we create myths about ourselves, especially with the help of the media. Along the way, it's about how history grinds up celebrities/heroes/public figures. (Is Samuel L. brilliant? You bet, but this reviewer's favorite scene just might be the one with Harry Lennix.) June 23, 2008

Jackson Wins By a Knockout!

Although Samuel L. Jackson long ago established himself as a great talent, he demonstrates his true range as an actor in "Resurrecting the Champ". His touching and often humorous portrayal of a "down and almost out" former prizefighter is probably his finest work ever. Hartnett and the remainder of the cast are quite good (it was nice to see Alan Alda), but this is Jackson's show all the way. I would highly recommend this one for repeat viewing. June 2, 2008

Watch this movie with your dad on Father's Day

While this movie may be a bit sappy and may be a little long, it is a great story about the relationship between fathers and sons integrated into a very loose interpretation of a true story. Samuel Jackson turns in one of his best performances every that is more than deserving of an Academy Award. No matter what your relationship is with your dad or with your son this movie will touch you at some level. And anytime an audience can be touched or moved by a movie, it must be considered a great story and that coupled with Jackson's performance is the reason I give this movie all FIVE STARS. May 24, 2008

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