Rocky Balboa
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Movie Reviews of Rocky Balboa
Movie Review: Fantastic way to end the Rocky series, it's everything ROCKY V wasn't.
Summary: 5 Stars
When Stallone announced he would be making the sixth installment in the ROCKY series, a lot of people shook he head. After all, he was 60 years old at the time of filming, well past his prime. And, given how bad ROCKY V was, a lot of people, there was a good possibility this was going to be a pretty bad movie.
Well, like the new Indiana Jones film currently in production (KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL, where the hell did Lucas and Speilburg get that title?), ROCKY BALBOA does not try to hide the main protagonists' age. Balboa is old, and he knows it.
Before we get into the film proper, there are several deleted scenes included on the DVD, as well as an alternate ending in which the outcome of the final fight with Mason Dixon is reversed.
Stallone, Burt Young (Paulie), and the guy who plays Duke are the only actors to be in all six films. Five different actors have portrayed Rocky's son, one for each movie except the firt.
The film opens to Rocky feeding some turtles, a reference to the first film. As the first hour or so unrolls, we find out that Adrian has died, Rocky has opened a restaurant in Philadelphia, Spider Rico from the first movie has become Christian, and Maria, also from the first movie, has struck up a friendship with Rocky. Other than the fight, these are the main storylines that Stallone focuses on for the majority of the film.
Two of the best scenes, not only in this movie but in the series in general, is when Rocky goes before the Boxing Committee to get licensed. The state committee refuses to give Rocky a license, and Rocky launches into a speech about his freedom and the Bill of Rights and how he needs to do what he needs to do. The other has to do with his son, as his son feels like he is living in the shadow of his father. Rocky quickly sets his son straight. Great monologues. And it's great to see Maria from the first film back again. She had a scene in ROCKY V (Rocky's warning that she'd be a whore if she kept up her lifestyle turns out to be true prophecy) but it was cut, leaving Rocky to bring her back for BALBOA.
The film is openly nostalgic, with Rocky revisiting his old haunts, though the old places have changed, and a lot of times for the worst. Unlike ROCKY V, however, this nostalgia is tempered with Rocky's heart, his optimism, and his winning attitude. He's also having some relational issues with his son, but ultimately these are resolved by the end of the film.
BALBOA references all five previous films (though appropriately enough there's only one throw away reference to ROCKY V). There's footage of his fights, and the film heavily references the first ROCKY. Even Burgess Merideth, who died in 1997 and played Mickey, gets a line in one of the retrospective sequences.
Unfortunately, Carl Weathers does not appear in archive footage, as he wanted to be actually written into the movie (probably a dream sequence, something along those lines), and since Stallone wouldn't do that Weathers wouldn't let him use any footage with Apollo Creed, which is sad, given how important a character Apollo is to the Rocky movies.
Though long retired, a computer simulated fight between the current heavyweight Mason "The Line" Dixon sparks interested in the aging Balboa when the computer marks Balboa as the winner. Mason Dixon's promoters is looking for some new blood, because Dixon has been fighting chumps and has lost audience favor to the point where all of his proposed pay-per-view matches are being declined. Dixon's promoters are looking at this as a way to remake Dixon's image, and see this match as a perfect way to do so.
Still, Balboa is a lot older now, so when Duke (yes, that Duke, the Duke in all five previous films) starts training him, a lot of the techniques are out do to his advanced age. As Duke says, "Let's build some hurtin' bombs," and these bombs they certainly build. Despite the age, Balboa trains hard. Stallone even incorporates a revision to the famous scene of him running up and down the Art Museum steps. In the original film Rocky was to run the steps holding a dog, but this did not prove feasible as Stallone found the dog they had too hard to manage. This time around they got the scene to work as originally envisioned. Of course, we have the famous Rocky theme playing in the background as he trains.
Then Rocky and Mason Dixon fight. This fight without a doubt is the best choreographed and filmed of all the Rocky fights. It's also the most realistic. For being 60 years old, Stallone is in remarkable condition. Guess steroids will do that too you.
Mike Tyson also makes a cameo during the fight. Strangely enough, like Reeses Pieces in ET, there's a few shots of product placement during the fight for GoldenPalace.com.
SPOILTER: The fight ends just like the first ROCKY, a split decision with the win going to Mason Dixon. Even though Rocky loses, he doesn't because he manages to go all ten rounds, and gives Dixon a run for his money.
Stallone stuck with the ending in the film to pay homage to the first film, as well as making a point that Rocky still walks away victorious, even if he doesn't "win" parsay. In fact, Rocky's out the door while the announcement is being announced, cause it doesn't matter whether he wins or loses, because he's already won something much bigger.
Another important theme is that Mason Dixon is looking for a real fight, and Mason Dixon wants to respect himself, and so they both come out winners. END SPOLIER.
ROCKY BALBOA is a great way for Stallone to end the series, and probably is the second best film in the entire franchise, behind the original. We get to see Rocky the way we've always wanted too - a winner, a picture of the American Dream fully realised. Sure, he's had some hard knocks, he lost Adrian, but he's still a fighter. Still has that indomitable spirit about him.
The film ends with Rocky placing a flower on Adrian's grave, and with his signature line still fresh after all these years, Stallone says "Yo Adrian, we did it," and then walks away with the film going out of focus.
Then the credits roll. Even the credits give you that warm fuzzy feeling, for it has footage of different, ordinary people all running up the steps of the art museum. Makes you just smile watching it.
And all I can say to that is bravo. Stallone, out of all odds, managed not only to write a good end to the Rocky franchise, but wrote the best film since the original. Given how bad ROCKY V is, this fact's even more miraculous.
Yeah Rocky, you really did do it. Though we won't get to see you again, this is truly a great closure to remember you by. You really are an American Icon.
Movie Review: It's about how much you can take and keep moving forward!
Summary: 5 Stars
When I first moved to Las Vegas in 1986, I lucked out and got a two-week job as an extra in the Sylvester Stallone movie, Over the Top. The filming took place at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel and dealt with the arm wrestling contest that Stallone's character enters so that he can win enough money to take care of his son. I was a member of the audience in the arena. Before Stallone would come onto the set to film a particular scene, the Assistant Director would rev the audience up by playing the theme to Rocky, "Gonna Fly Now." Of course, the audience didn't really need to be revved up for Stallone. I, and the hundreds of other people sitting in the stands, saw Stallone as his fictional character, and we would stand up and loudly cheek out of pure admiration. To us, Stallone was Rocky. Things haven't really changed much since that moment in time over twenty years ago. For me, Stallone is Rocky and will always be so. I still get a big, goofy grin on my face whenever I hear the theme to Rocky. So for me, Rocky Balboa was a dream come true. It was a chance to relieve the original "Rocky" movie and to reach a better understanding of the last thirty years of my life. More than that, however, it gave me hope for the future. Rocky Balboa is a true spark of life for all of us in my age bracket who are having trouble moving ahead. This is a movie about not giving up and being able to take the hits that come your way. It's certainly true for the character of Rocky as well as its creator, Sylvester Stallone and what he had to go through to get Rocky Balboa made. Let me just say this. The budget for Rocky Balboa was around twenty-four million dollars, which is extremely low for a movie in today's time. For a film to break even, it has to make at least three times what it cost, which also covers distribution and the percentage that the theaters get from the sell of each ticket. To date, the worldwide gross is right at $148,000,000.00. Stallone did what was originally thought to be impossible by many others--he gave new life to Rocky and made another hit movie!
In Rocky Balboa, our lead character is now living in South Philadelphia and is struggling to recover from the lost of his wife, Adrian, who died of cancer. His only friend appears to be Paulie (played by Burt Young), who's still working at the meatpacking plant. Rocky and his son, Robert (played by Milo Ventimiglia), have grown apart and see very little of each other. Though Rocky owns and operates a small Italian restaurant called Adrian's, his heart isn't into it. He has little to look forward to and sees his life as nearly over. The only pleasure he gets is from visiting Adrian's grave. Everything begins to slowly change for Rocky when two important events take place. The first is when Rocky runs into Marie (played by Geraldine Hughes), a person from his past who gives him a reason to keep going forward with his life. The second thing that happens is when a sport's show does a virtual reality computer fight between him and the new world champion, Mason Dixon (played by Antonio Tarver), displaying that Rocky, though older, would win the bout without any problem. This creates in Rocky the desire to want to fight again, but only on a local level. Dixon's people view the computer fight and immediately see a way to make a great deal of money. After Rocky renews his fighting license, he's asked to do a celebrity fight against Mason Dixon in Las Vegas with part of the proceeds going to charity. Though hesitant at first to get back into the ring with a heavyweight champion, Rocky finally agrees to do so with Marie's encouragement. Robert, however, is totally against his father fighting again. He's lived in his father's shadow for years and this will only make matters worse. Rocky explains to his son that this is something he has to do in order to feel alive again. He also tells Robert that he has to stop blaming others for his problems and to learn to deal with life by not giving up when things gets tough. Of course, all of this leads to the preparation for the big fight and then to the fight itself. I still get goose bumps when Rocky runs up the steps to the Philadelphia Art Museum with "Gonna Fly Now" playing in the background.
What Sylvester Stallone was able to do with Rocky Balboa is to return to the roots of the original movie in the series and tap into its heart and soul. You see it in the streets of Philadelphia, the poignant music of Bill Conti, Rocky's old home and Mickey's gym from the first movie, the shadows and dark overtones of the film, the return of Burt Young as Paulie and Tony Burton as Duke, and the haunting presence of Adrian (played by the lovely Talia Shire) throughout the film. Stallone put his own heart and soul into the making of this movie, fighting an up-hill battle against the studios who thought his career was over and never giving up, knowing that this film was a reflection of his own life and struggles. Rocky Balboa is definitely the way the series needs to be ended. It's a direct mirror of what can be good in a person's life if he's willing to put forth the effort. I don't know about other people, but when I saw this movie in the theater last December and then again of DVD last night, it brought tears to my eyes, but in a good way. This is the last Rocky movie. Stallone knew that he was finally saying goodbye to his most famous character and to an intricate part of his own life. As the final credits roll in the movie, dozens of everyday people are shown running up the famous steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum. Each year thousands of people run up these steps and throw their arms victoriously up into the air just like Rocky. That's how powerful the impact of this series has been on the mass public. I used to live outside of Philadelphia during my early teens. If I still lived there, you'd see me running up the steps, too. Well, maybe halfway up the steps. I'm not in as good of shape as I used to be. But, all is not lost for us "Rocky" fans. There will be a Director's Cut coming out before the end of the year. My guess is that it will be a Two Disc Special Director's Cut Edition, which will include the twenty minutes of deleted scenes that were originally cut from the film. That's something to look forward to. With regards to the DVD extras on Rocky Balboa, there's a fifteen-minute featurette on the making of the movie, another fifteen-minute featurette on doing the big fight scene at the finale, twenty minutes of deleted scenes with an alternate ending, bloopers, and a great film commentary by Stallone. This is definitely a movie that the fans of the "Rocky" series will love, and as the last words in the film say, "Yo, Adrian, we did it!"
Movie Review: BALBOA IS BACK
Summary: 5 Stars
When I first heard that Sylvester Stallone was making yet another Rocky film, I laughed to myself. I couldn't conceive how the movie was going to have any credibility. After all, Stallone seemed to have lost the plot in Rocky 5 and he is now sixty years of age. I anticipated this latest installment would be something of an inadvertent comedy. However, driven by curiosity and a sentimental attachment to the early Rocky movies, I ventured down to the cinema on saturday night for a late showing. Jaded, following two consecutive twelve hour shifts, I stumbled into screen 1 barely retaining my bucket of popcorn and diet coke. I found my seat, took a deep breath and regained my composure.
The Opening scene shows current heavyweight champ Mason Dixon successfully defending his title in a one-sided no thrills affair. The commentary team discuss the current poor state of the lack-lustre heavyweight division and cry out for a meaningful Dixon title defence against a passionate challenger. The undeniably skilful Mason reigns superior but without a serious rival remains an unknown quantity in the courage department. Meanwhile Rocky is struggling to come to terms with the death of his beloved wife Adrian. She passed away years earlier but Balboa is clearly still grieving. In moving scenes he visits her grave and the old neighbourhood in Philadelphia to reminisce about the good times, pausing by old haunts which include the pet shop and Mickey's gym. Rocky, now retired from boxing runs an Italian restaurant aptly named 'Adrian's'. He entertains diners with fight tales from a bygone age and cuts a sad though charismatic figure. A tv sports network discuss how champions from differen't era's would fare against each other. They pit Balboa against current champ Dixon in a simulated computer fight. The fantasy cyber match results in Rocky winning the bout via knock-out. This gets Balboa's juices flowing and the italian stallion contemplates a low-key comeback against small scale opposition. Mason's promoters have other ideas and generate public interest in a real Dixon versus Balboa exhibition match in fight capital Las Vegas. Rocky, against the advice of his son and Paulie can't resist. Determined to prove the last thing a fighter loses is his heart and anxious to get the demons out of his system, Rocky signs the fight contract. Out comes the famous grey tracksuit as Balboa embarks on a punishing training regime.
But this movie provides far more than just a pugilistic punch. It's about life's hard knocks, relationships, death, growing old and letting go of the past. Rocky has a new woman in his life, little Marie from the old neighbourhood, played by Geraldine Hughes. In the original Rocky, Marie was a lost and abusive teenager whom Rocky tried to help. Marie, now a single mother with a child of her own is re-united with Rocky. The dialogue in this film effortlessly fluctuates from hard-hitting to humorous. A movie which is simplistic yet intelligent. Proving that a film can entertain without special effects or complicated twists in the plot. Bill Conti's musical score is inspiring as always and the casting quite magnificent. Many of us grew up with the Rocky character, he has something of an iconic status. The working class underdog who achieves the american dream against seemingly insurmountable odds. It's easy to scoff at the idea of Balboa climbing back through the ropes but it's really no more ludicrous than George Foreman and Larry Holmes staging comeback's as over-weight grandfathers. Foreman actually regained the world championship during his second time around.
Despite Balboa's age, Rocky 6 is perversely more realistic than Rocky 4 and 5. The role of Dixon is played by former light-heavyweight champion of the world Antonio Tarver. Tarver's ring credentials lend an invaluable authenticity to the film and indeed the actual bout against Rocky itself. Stallone also respectfully pays homage to the earlier films. Wonderful to once again witness Balboa running up those famous steps in Philadelphia. Also a pleasure to see Burt Young (Paulie) and Tony Burton (Duke) back on the big screen. My one criticism would be that Duke (Rocky's trainer) has too small a part in the movie. However, Sylvester Stallone has certainly done justice to the Rocky legacy with this final farewell. He can now hang up his gloves as the undisputed champion of boxing movies. 'Rocky Balboa' is a writing, directing and acting knock-out. "Yo Adrian, we did it".
Movie Review: One of the greatest American icons of our time
Summary: 5 Stars
*No Spoilers*
We were surprised--looked at each other and chuckled in disbelief--when we found out about macho superstar Sylvester Stallone making another Rocky movie. Once again, he was going to direct it and write it. Personally--as a boxing fan--I thought it would never work. The film would not be believable not only because of his age, but also because of his fading super star status. We had doubts about his new production. We thought about recent turkeys like Spy Kids 3-D, I See You and Driven--Can he comeback and bring his good old days? Sly cannot be serious, can he? We were so wrong. This is a true Hollywood comeback in every sense of the word. Rocky Balboa is an excellent and uplifting film about one of the greatest American icons of our time.
Story:
Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) lives a peaceful life in his home city of South Philadelphia. He has retired from boxing and now he owns a modest restaurant where he tells old boxing stories to his guests. He always remembers his wife Adrian (Talia Shire) who passed away few years back. He drives around to visit old places where they used to be together along with his companion Paulie (Burt Young) who is not too happy about Rocky living in the past. His son Rocky Jr. (Milo Ventimiglia)--who lives on his own--is troubled by the way he's treated by everyone because of his "son of the champion" status. As Rocky wonders around his old neighborhood, he meets a bartender Marie (Geraldine Hughes) who he builds--perhaps a romantic--friendship.
There is a new heavyweight champion in the world of boxing. Mason 'The Line' Dixon (Anthony Tarver) dominates his weigh class with virtually no one left to challenge him. He is proud, but very unlikable character in the world of prizefighting. Sports TV network ESPN runs a show where they use computer generated graphics to recreate dream boxing matches--from boxers of different eras. They recreate a dream fight between Rocky Balboa and Dixon, the computer says that Rocky would win. Dixon does not think too much of it, but Rocky sees an opportunity for redemption. He decides to get his boxing license back despite the opinions of his son and old Pauli--Marie is very supportive. Dixon's managers see an opportunity to make more money and convince the current champion to fight Rocky. They contact Rocky and he accepts. Now it is time for the people's champion to fight one more time. Will he even survive the first round?
Review:
Stallone goes back to the character that made him famous and delivers one of the best films of 2006. He is true to the character--a beloved and wiser--Rocky Balboa who still believes in his heart that it's never too late to step up in the ring. He shows the world that there are no boundaries--not even his age--when it comes to pursuit of happiness. We see him training with enthusiasm, despite the negativism around him. In other words, his performance and the story reach out the audience in a way never before. He inspires and motivates everyone to stand up for themselves. He literally makes the audience stand up and cheer.
In the technical department, Rocky Balboa does marvels. The traditional shots of the city of Philadelphia are back, but look better than ever. We are surprised of how beautiful the photography is in this film, giving us the feeling of the old Rocky films. The first half of the film might be talky for some, but it's done to develop the character. The last part of the film is where the fireworks begin.
Boxing fans will be pleased by the way the fight scenes are presented. The way they broadcast the main event is so realistic--even real boxing celebrities are involved--that is like watching a PPV boxing event in real time. The aerial shots of Las Vegas, the camera work, the introduction of the fighters, the tale of the tape down to the announcers and the referee gives the audience that illusion. Stallone combines some of the old school Rocky type flashbacks while fighting--the best of both worlds combined.
The Verdict:
We thought this would be a weak one, we take it back now. Stallone brings back the beloved character--and most of his corner--to deliver a "feel good" film that is not going to disappoint. Rocky Balboa has a compelling story, great acting and visuals that will keep you cheering for more.
Movie Review: Inspiring
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes this is a review of the 6th and final installment in the Rocky saga. Rocky has been called the greatest underdog story of all time. It has been given two thumbs up by Elbert & Roeper; it has been given rave reviews and is currently 3rd in box office holiday season sales. With all of that, why would Imprint review this movie as well? The answer to that question is how the movie is relevant to students.
Rocky Balboa is called a truly inspirational story. It is the story of a man who has had it all, lost most of it and rebuilt what he could. The film was written, directed and starred in by Sylvester Stallone. But this story is older than even that. For Stallone wrote the first Rocky story and held on to it for years. He would not sell it because no one would let him star in it. With his perseverance and determination, he held onto the script until he could play the role of Rocky.
In this film, Rocky is again the underdog. He is 53, retired, and running a restaurant. He is also widowed, and looking for something more in life. He decides to try and fight again - he is thinking something local, for charity. And yet he is given a shot at the champ.
This is a story of overcoming - the story of living your hopes and dreams. It is about believing in yourself and following those dreams. Rocky states: "What is it you said to the kid? The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very rough, mean place... and no matter how tough you think you are, it'll always bring you to your knees and keep you there, permanently... if you let it. You or nobody ain't never gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit... it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward... how much you can take, and keep moving forward. If you know what you're worth, go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit." And he lives that in this film.
Yet Rocky is not the only character to face this adversity in this film. Paulie, his brother-in-law, who only has his work and alcohol is laid off from his job. Rocky's son Robert has lost his way, and is trying to not live in his father's shadow. And each of these three men must deal with their grief at the loss of Adrian, who was wife, sister and mother to these three men.
Rocky must also face his aging body. In the beginning of the training sequences he realizes that this will not be the simple battle of determination to get the body in shape. It will be in part mind over matter as he must reconquer and retrain his body to be that of a fighter.
Rocky's opponent Mason "The Line" Dixon (played by actual former heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver) does not take the fight seriously, he has the youthful disregard and disrespect for age and experience that Rocky will bring to the ring in this battle of athletes from different eras.
Rocky Balboa will motivate us to face our own challenges with perseverance and a community for support, and with hope and by prayer. The story will promote discussions about where we find our courage, what we want from life and how we can overcome loss and yet stand strong and remain faithful. It will also help us to classify what we call a victory.
Rocky is not just another boxing movie, or even just a sport movie, and it is definitely not just a squeal. It is a movie that will help you find the courage to follow your dreams and encourage you to pursue hopes.
So when the world knocks you down, you can either lay there or get up. That is what Rocky Balboa teaches us.
(First Published in Imprint 2007-01-05 as 'Final Rocky flick hits home, the heart'.)