Rocky Balboa

Unlike others, I don't see a need to post yet another recap of the storyline...

Stallone and Rocky have been tremendous inspirations in my life. They helped me get into shape once, in the 1980's. And I'll likely use this inspiration once again, in my 50's, to get back into shape.

My first reaction to the news of another Rocky movie was "What the heck?! Is he going to be in a wheel chair?!" I waited till I could buy the DVD at a local store for a good price.

The movie was ok.. I think they did all the right things, considering the star's advanced age, etc.

I am somewhat crestfallen to read that Sylvester Stallone has resorted to using Human Growth Hormone in order to be in shape for the Rocky and Rambo movies.

That is just another indication that Stallone is too old to play those characters any more.

My advice to Stallone: retire those characters. Concentrate on what you can do with your body, naturally.

Hopefully you've earned enough from your previous career that you can retire in reasonable comfort.

Sylvester Stallone has always been underrated by many, but his characterizations of Rocky Balboa and John Rambo will outlive him and the rest of us. Sure, there were failures in the series, but the originals were classic.

With "Rocky Balboa", Stallone acknowledges saying goodbye to the character he created thirty years earlier. And it is a fine, heart-tugging send off. I doubt, though, that it will work for anyone who hasn't seen the original "Rocky", because the main movie figures so prominently.

Rocky is long past his prime. His beloved Adrian died of "woman's cancer" a few years ago and Rocky pines for her every day. Stallone's script is particularly touching in this regard as Rocky visits the cemetery where he has a folding chair stashed, so he can sit and visit graveside with Adrian. Pauly, Adrian's obnoxious brother, is still around, obnoxiously played by Burt Young who seems born to the role.

Rocky's life is empty. Yes, he has what appears to be a successful restaurant, named "Adrian's", where like many sports celebrities before him, he regales patrons with stories of his glory days. His son, unconvincingly portrayed by someone whose name I've forgotten, is embarassed by his father's fame and is trying to just make his own way in the business world. Rocky visits the old neighborhood and is dismayed to see that things are changing, decaying really, getting old just like the Rock.

Rocky finds a shy romantic interest in the grown-up girl who sassed him in the first "Rocky".

But the real story involves Mason "The Line" Dixon, the reigning heavyweight champion who has an image problem: people think that he has acheived his title not because of his boxing skills, but because his slick promoters line up weak opponents. A local sports show has an ongoing debate over whether Rocky in his prime could have beaten Mason Dixon. Yes, they say and they have a computerized animation to prove it.

This sparks the idea of an "exhibition" match between the young Dixon and the aging Rocky. The spectacle of 60 year old Rocky Balboa training to fight the youthful Dixon becomes the meat of the movie and is, frankly, moving, recalling the original "Rocky". (Seeing the againg Stallone's over-muscled physique, however, borders on the grotesque.)

The culmination is the fight between the two - and it is beautifully choreographed.

In the end, "Rocky Balboa" echos all the human qualities that made the original "Rocky" so appealing. The battle of the underdog doesn't lose its appeal, especially in Stallone's very talented hands.

Jerry

My husband and I had both seen most of the Rocky films. Actually, I think he saw them all, and I saw the first 3. I really didn't expect this one to be all that good and mainly got it because (1) our son and his fiance live in Philly where it's filmed and (2) for nostalgic purposes.

We were pleasantly surprised! Stallone is looking a little worse for wear, but he carries off the part of Rocky very well. As he says, "he still has a little junk in the basement." Against his son's wishes, he decides to come out of retirement and get his license to box. His timing happens to coincide with a video match between him at his prime and a young boxer who has never really been challenged. That young boxer's promoter asks Rocky to do an exhibition match....it's not supposed to be real. But Rocky being Rocky, he trains for real and ends up fighting a legitimate fight against the "young gun." Both walk away better off for the match. And, of course, we get to hear the Rocky theme music!

The film keeps your attention, including one part where the sort-of love interest in his life asks him why he's being so kind to her and her son (who were abandoned by the father)....she says, "you don't owe us anything. Why are you being so nice?" and He responds, "Why you got to owe somebody to get something?" Typical Rocky.

If you liked the earlier Rocky films, I think you'll like this one. It may not be an Oscar winner, but there are some funny parts, some philisophical parts and some good entertainment. Definitely worth watching!

You may have never seen the original Rocky in 1976. That was when you still had to go to the theatre to see a first run flick. If you do remember the film, then if you ever hear "Gonna Fly Now" the image of a nobody, striving to become a somebody comes to the fore.

Fast forward 30 years to when this nobody has become a somebody, and now is sliding back into to used to be a somebody. This is where we find Rocky. Old, retired, frustrated at what was, what is, and what could have been.

The scene where Rocky tells Paulie of the beast within now that Adrian has gone, and his need to let it out is pure glory. We all have only so many days in our lives to get out that which lies within, before our breathe is stilled.

One last shot, not at glory, not at winning, not at taking the prize..., but one last shot at knowing what it truly means to still feel something, to be alive, and to know that it isn't over until it's over..., that is what Rocky Balboa is all about.

Highly Recommended.

Cheers!

I don't get it. I'm watching the fight scenes, my heart is racing, my pulse is pounding and I'm throwing phantom punches along with the "Rock". "Hey," I tell myself, "this is just a movie!" But what a great movie! It has it all. Humor. Emotion. Elation. I laughed, I cried. This film pulls you in and you stay there till the end. Highly recommended. Very enjoyable.