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Director: Sylvester Stallone
Release Date: December 20, 2006
Rating: PG
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 I'll admit that the ending of the first Rocky is the only movie that consistently brings a tear to my eye. I grew up with the movies and have loved everything about them. The comeback fights, the insane opponents, the music, and most of all, the message.
Watching previews for Rocky Balboa had me worried. Other than ruining a perfectly good boxed-set, would this movie tarnish the image of Rocky? I hoped not, but regardless, I was going to catch this film on the opening night. It's what Rocky would have wanted.
I've been living less than a mile outside of Philly for over six years. Rocky is a big part of this city regardless of what the high-society types tell you.
When I give friends and family a tour of the city, I always make the following stops: The country's first courthouse, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Geno's cheese steaks, and the museum steps that Rocky runs up. People always want to run up those steps and see the best view of Philly they'll ever see. It makes the trip to Philly special for them. They owe it all to Rocky.
So it should have been no shock to me when my wife and I first got to the theater to find the movie sold out. At first, I was crushed. I had a Wednesday-only coupon for a free popcorn that I had used to tempt my wife to come along and now it was no good.
But quickly the Rocky music started playing in the back of my head and I asked myself WWRD (What would Rocky do)?
We hopped in the car and traveled to the next movie theater at lightning speed and managed to get into a full theater of loud and rowdy Philadelphians.
I knew I was in for a treat when someone yelled from the back of the theater "YO ADRIAN!!!!!" I turned around to see a guy wearing boxing gloves, shorts, shoes, and a robe that said Italian Stallion on the back. He also had the championship belt for good measure. He marched down the isle to find his seat as the theater erupted.
With his legs and chest exposed, the 35-degree weather showed his commitment.
The Movie
As for Rocky Balboa, it was actually a quality film. Stallone plays this character better than anything else in his career.
Rocky finds himself without Adrian who died of cancer. He and Paulie are doing their best to cope with the loss while Rocky's son struggles to live a life outside his dad's shadow. It's a group of people living everyday, mediocre lives just like the first film.
ESPN plays around with some computer stats to see who would win with Rocky Balboa at his peak fighting the day's current champ: Mason Dixon. The computer picks Rocky. This starts the spark in the old and aging fighter that leads him to believe he could fight again.
There's no getting around it. Rocky is old and finished. All he has left to fight with is heart and will. The movie doesn't try to hide the shape of the old man and instead embraces it.
Through it all, Rocky helps those around him better their lives while he pushes towards the impossible goal starting to box again.
As cheesy as I expected the whole thing to be, I was thoroughly entertained. Rocky stands tall with his charming dialogue to try and push those around him while inspiring them with his actions. The movie had me chanting ROCKY ROCKY ROCKY!
Rocky Balboa is a winner and is a perfect ending to a movie series that people had counted dead. Stallone proves with this movie what he preaches: Regardless of what people say, you're not done until you believe you are.
Gonna fly now.
Related links:
Rocky Balboa official website
Rock Balboa trailer
Box office stats
Discuss Rocky Balboa in our forums
Discuss this movie in our forums.
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