Rocky Balboa (DVD, 2007)

"Rocky Balboa" is not only the best sequel since "Terminator 2" and the best movie of Writer-Director-Star Sylvester Stallone's career., it's one of the best American Films of It's Kind.
Massively entertaining and deeply heartfelt, it's a formula movie that rarely feels clichéd., thanks to Stallone's genuine love for his characters and his determination to end the series on a high note. After a decade Stallone uses "Rocky Balboa" to wipe clean the sour slate of artistic failure in the poor diminished decision called "Rocky V". (Winch As You Say It).
As "Rocky Balboa" begins, Rocky is living a comfortable dull life as a restauranteur., mourning the death of his beloved wife, Adrian. Desperate to prove "to himself" that he is still "a somebody", Rocky applies for a new boxing license and eventually ends up in the ring with the Current Heavyweight Champion of the World., as the result of a computer-simulation game that touts "Balboa In-His-Prime would beat the Current Heavyweight Champion".
The boxing story is fun, and Director/Star Stallone stages the final match with energy and style., but the movie's real heart is in the scenes leading up to the fight. After the nightmarish sequel "Rocky V", the Rocky franchise returns to its origins as a series that's more about behavior than action, and the scenes in which Balboa visits Adrain's grave is very moving.
Flashbacks and references to events from the earlier films mean a lot to fans of the series, as Stallone uses a kind of cinematic shorthand to quickly get to the heart of any given scene. He packs a surprising number of subplots and emotional high points into the film., and he's able to do this by building on what has happened in the previous films. He doesn't need to waste a lot of time on what Rocky has lost or where he has come from, because those of us who have seen the other movies can fill in the blanks.
Stallone and composer Bill Conti also skillfully appropriate musical themes from the original film to trigger an almost Pavlovian response in the viewer. (I defy any filmgoer over the age of 25 not to erupt into spontaneous applause when Conti's main theme leads into the inevitable training montage.)
Stallone explores all the things that matter to him as an aging legend: missed opportunities, lost and found loves, and the desire to give what he was born to do "One Last Big Shot"., Not for the Title., but for "Himself".
The film contains several significant relationships, from the expected sparring with brother-in-law Paulie (Burt Young), to a new romance and a sweet Father-Son connection, and in each of these storylines the dialogue is perfect and drives home hard.
Stallone's own strengths as an actor plays flawlessly — but perhaps the biggest shock of "Rocky Balboa" is the rich lead performance. Stallone is an exceptionally generous actor, allowing his superb supporting cast to shine along with him in dozens of truthful moments that are right up there with the best scenes in the original Oscar-Winning film that kicked off the series.
Reminiscent of another Actor-Turned-Director's Masterpiece, "Unforgiven"., "Rocky Balboa" is its author's meditation on getting older.
Paying homage to "The Underdog" - "Rocky Balboa" is "ALL-HEART"., a "Love-Letter" to us ALL, from Stallone/Rocky.
Boxing has long been a metaphor for life., "Life Hits Harder Than Anyman"., "NEVER STOP FIGHTING BACK" !! -- and Stallone pays Homage to us ALL.
Thank You Sly !! Thanks Rocky !!

When will he ever stop. This is absolutly pathetic and a complete waste of money. I am glad I never paid $9 to see it in a Theater. He should have stoped after Rocky 4. Don't buy it unless you can get it for $0.01 & free shipping...

I found this to be a great last of the series movie, and glad that Stallone made it before it was too late to be believable.

It revisted the past moments in the series, and left me satisfied with the ending of the series.

I have visited the Philadelphia Art Museum, and it is a lot harder to run up those steps than you would think !!

Recommended for Rocky Fans!!

Michael

After taking my wife and siblings to see this movie today, I have to say that this was by far the most pleasant cinematic surprise of 2006 for me. Stallone somehow found his muse and created possibly the most heartfelt movie of the bunch. This movie has all the heart of the first two Rocky films...and then some. People in the audience were choking up together, and also cheering together, it was unreal. It may have taken him 16 years, but he finally got right what Rocky 5 got wrong. Outstanding!!

I waited very impatiently for this movie to be released as I am a HUGE Rocky fan and when I finally saw it I found it simply disappointing. It was questionabale if Sylvestor still had it in him to do another movie like this and what they ended up with was almost more of a romance or drama and not an action movie. If you are looking for a romantic drama this movie is for you. If you are expecting another hard hitting Rocky movie you may be left in the corner. Thats just this guys opinion.

I was expecting a pretiy boring movie -- but actually it was a pretty good story!
Rocky was feeling like he wasn't good enough for his son -- or maybe it was because he could prove there was something worth fighting for but he won the right to fight again!
All in all it is worth watching -- some parts are a little slow and simple but the whole story is good.

This was the best possible way to leave Rocky! Not only was it action packed, but the movie truly revisited many of the details from the first film. Who would have thought that Cuff and Link would still be alive? The film is successful because it shows the human side of our athletes. Rocky is now enduring the inevitalbe challenges that we will all have to face at some point in our lives. Its important to see that the American dream does end at somepoint, finaly a film does this! Truly a sit on the edge of your seat and cry a few tears movie! A good film evokes multiple emotions, I left the theatre on opening night satisfied! BRAVO Stallone!

I feel that this movie was a great way to end the series. While the series normally contained intense action and fighting, the final installment seemed to focus more on the aging of Rocky Balboa and the emotions that come about. After losing his wife Adrian, Rocky opens a hole in the wall Italian restaurant. Customers have the pleasure of listening to Rocky tell stories from his past as a fighter. Rocky also befriends a lady best known for her "screw you creepo!" line in an earlier movie. Throughout the movie, Rocky has to deal with his son being cold towards him. This is because Robert feels that he is living in hi father's shadow. One night, ESPN runs a computer generated fight containing Balboa in his prime, and the current Heavyweight champ. The computer tells that Balboa would be victorious if they fight were to have taken place when he was in his prime. Eventually, Balboa begins to entertain the idea of fighting locally for fun. With the current champ's popularity going down, his managers propose a "glorified sparring" match with Rocky. You will have to watch the movie to find out the rest..... All in all , the move ties up all loose ends that viewers may have and show that a real man always has one more good round in him.

I couldn't wait to see this movie. I have been a Rocky fan since day one. Did you ever just sit in a movie and go "wow". This one did. From the beginning to the end I was entertained. Not one part made me feel bored. I wish it lasted longer. I felt sorry for rock. I could not believe the way people treated him in the movie. No matter what someone did or said to rock that made me mad, Rocky just shrugged it off and threw that famous half sided grin. Pauly was at his best. He could have been nicer, but that wasn't his style. He always seemed to be there at the right time for the right reason. Right from the beginning, it felt like I was back in tune, felt every part the way rock did. Maybe I am sentimental, butI could watch this over and over. Good story line that keep this true Rocky fan happy and hoping for more. Thank you for making this movie. Loved it and I am glad I bought it.

Wow......This is not only the best of the Rocky series, it's Stallone's finest performance ever and the message is outstanding.

Stallone finally opens up in this one and delivers a very moving and awe inspiring performance....before ever stepping into the ring. He deals openly, setting aside any social macho taboos with his realization that there's more behind him than ahead. The entire movie, especially the ending is superbly well thought out and is delivered with class, plausibility and sincerity. This is one you will watch many times....make sure to include your family and friends while do so.

Thank you Mr. Stallone.

This movie couldn t have ended better! If you love the rocky movies, this is a MUST HAVE! The storyline is surprisingly good and Stallone is brilliant in it!
Anyone who said he couldn t act is wrong! The movie is great, the acting greater & the ending is the greatest! Nothing is over the top, it seems very real & is definately a great father & son movie!
MUST WATCH!

I was not a Rocky junkie, but I did like the storyline of those movies. The poor boy makes good in the real world. I was really surprised at this episode of that saga. It was about a much older Rocky who lost his wife to cancer and had a son in college. He is not fulfilled in life anymore, his wife has died and his son has his own life in college. Rocky also meets a young woman with a
teenage son destined for trouble if he doesn't find a way to help her guide him in the right direction.

Rocky decides that he would like to fight again. Everyone is against it. He pleads with the fighting commission to see things his way. He really doesn't have anything to lose. He is in excellent physical condition when the request is made. They decide to let him have his fight. I was surprised at the fight
itself. It did not seem to be as graphic as the other Rocky movies. That was actually refreshing to me. Over all I believe this show had some very good points to share about life, and what we want to share with family and friends about our personal beliefs and how it plays out in our everyday living experiences. I thought this show deserves a High 5, for excellent. It taught honesty, perseverence and also showed that with an honest heart, we have a real shot at achieving goals that we possibly never thought were obtainable!

When this movie first came out, my son begged me to see it, but I inwardly groaned and resisted with every fiber of my being. How many Rocky incarnations are we supposed to put up with? When the DVD came out I finally relented, and you know what? I'm glad I did.

Rocky is past the prime of his life, has settled into an obviously reluctant retirement from boxing, and has lost Adrian, the woman he so dearly loved. Rocky spends a lot of time reminiscing about the past, and his life with Adrian. Cranky ole Paulie (gotta love him!) is still around, but has lost patience with Rocky's inability to let go of the past. Likewise, Rocky has a strained relationship with his son, who is angry about having to live under the shadow of the Italian Stallion.

The reigning heavyweight champ is a young boxer by the name of Mason "The Line" Dixon. In the ring, Mason always manages to pound the competition in the first round, which has left boxing fans feeling disappointed and alienated. For fun, ESPN holds a virtual boxing match between Mason and Rocky (in his prime), and you guessed it, Rocky wins! This virtual boxing match sets off a chain of events that leads Rocky back into the ring.

Bittersweet, nostalgic, extremely touching, and of course you want Rocky to win! The boxing scenes were well-choreographed, and so action-packed they made my heart pound! I was also highly impressed by the dialogue (especially Lil' Marie's pep talk and the what-for Rocky finally gives his son), which was written by none other than Sylvester Stallone himself. ROCKY BALBOA serves to remind us that it's not whether you win or lose, but it's how you play the game. Well worthy!

I sure wanted Rocky to win his last fight & retire. I thought it was a great movie (ROCKY FAN) and will watch it again & again.

I thought this show was slow moving but so is Rocky... he is how old now? Gave the Die Dard Rocky fans closure, and for that it was worth it... certainly there won't be another. Great for Rocky to be back but he needs to retire from at least Rocky films, maybe he can find another character to portray that is more believable. My advice would be to watch when there is nothing else playing on HBO. Out of resepct for the series I watched them all and I give it an average rating as I can't slam the man!

I had low hopes going into this, but it brought back all those Rocky feelings.
It's just a typical Rocky movie. But what is wrong with that? It's fun, it makes you believe in the underdog (as Rocky always is) and I believe this is the finale.
Sly was sly.
He son was kind of annoying. There were some characters whose development could have been better such Steps. But hey, it's not about them. It's about Rocky.
There were some sad moments in recalling his past. Although some of it was just reminiscing for any Rocky fan.
If you love Rocky movies, don't miss this one. It's got a good message and is a nice (not great but nice) boxing movie. Rocky is number one and always will be.
GO ROCK!!!

I thought this movie was Good. Kinda nice to see Rocky back in action. I watched both endings and like each one. I think this was a good ending to the "Rocky Saga". I was also glad to see that a former Heavywieght champ, was not broke, and had to fight for money. He fought to so the people he still had it! You go Rocky! This movie is well worth adding to your Rocky collection.

Rocky Balboa is the 6th movie in the Rocky franchise. I was skeptical as to how this movie would play out after the 5th movie.

I was pleasantly surprised that Stalone went back to the roots of the franchise and worked on character development. A lot of time was put into developing relationships between Rocky and his son, the themes of growing old, overcoming adversity, and of course the fight. :)

I'm happy with the realistic ending of the movie. I'm also impressed by this movie overall.
4/5
Latsyrhc
Tamarack Collectibles

Probably the best Rocky movie since Rocky I. Get the popcorn and a group of friends who remember going to the movies to see the other Rockie movies. Best evening you will have had in a long time.

I love the Rocky series, but this hopefully last installment left much to be desired regarding it's believability, it's character development, and it's story line. It was a cheap markdown ofthe previous versions. The storyline should have been more developed regarding Rocky's relationship with his lost of Adriene, his son and his post glory life. Somehow Stalone allowed Rocky to become this old, beatten down, whittered person, sruggling to find a meaning to his life

I enjoyed seeing Sly again in this roll of Rocky, as I do like him. The plot was simple as Sly knows is an ingreident for success; the acting good, and the sets and the costumes were appropiate and in keeping with the Rocky tradition.

The photography great and Rocky's brother in law really held up to what was needed to interact with Sly as Rocky-wonderful.

Sylvester Stallone returns for a sixth time as Rocky Balboa, the tough-as-nails Philadelphia boxing champ. Only now Rocky is old, really old. In this installment of the sports saga, the 54-year-old Balboa is lured out of retirement for one final fight when a computer simulation claims he could beat the current champ, Mason "the Line" Dixon (Antonio Tarver).

DIDN'T THINK THIS ONE WAS GOING TO BE GOOD, BUT IT TURNED OUT VERY GOOD. I ADDED THIS TO MY COLLECTION TO. A+++++ MOVIE.