Watch The Great White Hype

The Great White Hype is a satirical sports comedy released in 1996. The film stars Samuel L. Jackson as boxing promoter Reverend Fred Sultan, Jeff Goldblum as TV executive Mitchell Kane, and Damon Wayans as the undefeated heavyweight champion James "The Grim Reaper" Roper. The movie is a parody of the boxing industry, mocking the way fights are hyped up and promoters become richer while fighters are frequently exploited. Reverend Sultan, who is a huge boxing promoter, has made a killing off hyping up the fights he promotes. However, after discovering that his current heavyweight star, James Roper, has no legitimate competition left to fight, Sultan and his team come up with a scheme to jazz up the fight scene.

They come across a hick white boxer named Terry Conklin, played by Peter Berg, who has a record of 31 straight knockouts but has never fought against major competition. Conklin represents an opportunity for Sultan and his associates to make a fortune from a hyped-up fight that would pit the white man against James Roper.

Sultan then goes about marketing the fight, using his media connections to build up the hype to an unprecedented level. He even convinces a group of wealthy investors to put their money on Conklin, portrayed as the "great white hope.”

As hype builds, Reverend Sultan and the boxing cartel scramble to put together a competitive fight between The Grim Reaper and The Irishman. The media outlets go along with the idea, fueling the hype with sensationalist stories and endless coverage.

On fight night, Terry Conklin and James Roper finally step into the ring. However, things do not go as planned for Reverend Sultan and his entourage. As the fight progresses, it becomes apparent that Conklin may not be the great white hope after all. In fact, he is no match for James Roper.

As the boxing match comes to a close, The Great White Hype skewers the boxing and media industries with its biting and insightful satire of the culture of hype surrounding boxing matches. Throughout the film, audiences will connect with the fast pace rivalry and hilariously entertaining buildup of hype which mirrors much of the contemporary culture surrounding combat sports.

Apart from the entertaining plot, Samuel L. Jackson's superb acting as the outrageous boxing promoter is a highlight of the film. His portrayal of the unscrupulous and charismatic Reverend Sultan brings life to the character and he brings the humor levels in the movie to its peak.

In conclusion, The Great White Hype is a hilarious takedown of the world of professional boxing and media hype. With an all-star cast and a clever plot, it combines humor with social commentary, making it a must-watch for fans of sports comedies.

The Great White Hype is a 1996 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.