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Movie: Rocky Balboa
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Actors: Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, Antonio Tarver, Geraldine Hughes
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Rocky has become a big part of my movie mania, just like Superman, and just like the Superman Returns review, it's a bit hard to deliver an unbiased review. The Rocky flicks embody the fighting spirit, the tale of an underdog and victory by pure willpower. The films all have the same formula, using the tough training sequences followed by the climactic end fight. The last two Rocky films don't have the same level of the predecessors, but being a fan, every single movie has got something special that I really love; the first film with the cutting of the swollen eyes, the second part with the double knockdown at the finale, the third part with the mega-opponent Clubber Lang (Mr. T) and the wrestling-match with Hulk Hogan, the fourth chapter with the kick-ass training-montage in the snow and the fifth one with the gritty streetfight against Tommy Gunn. Man, I can hear Bill Conti's inspiring score in my head while I'm writing this.
Rocky V flopped and marked the end of the saga. So why another Rocky film? Maybe it's an attempt to resuscitate Stallone's carreer? Or perhaps Stallone thinks that Rocky's got one more fight left in his fists? You know what, I don't really care, 'cause The Italian Stallion is back! He's back for one last round, guys! First the story...
The story in a nutshell:
Rocky Balboa, former champ, widower and owner of a little restaurant in Philly. The fighter can't cope with the death of his beloved Adrian. He doesn't get the support of Paulie and his son keeps avoiding him. The lonely soul tries to fill a hole in his heart but grief and anger feeds the beast within. Until Rocky gets another shot, a chance to step in the ring for one last time. A fight against the present champ, Mason Dixon.
Rocky Balboa is written and directed by Stallone and has got the same tone as the original first film. Gritty, dirty, dark and very low budget. That really makes the film very compelling and also because the story of the underdog is also the journey of an actor who's making his comeback. Rocky Balboa centers on the sad life of a former champ who stands alone. Stallone really proves he's a great actor in this very emotional phase of Rocky's life. The dramatic scenes with the great Burt Young as Paulie are touching.
The sixth chapter doesn't revolve around the slick training sequences like we used the see but focuses on the drama. Rocky Balboa brings it up a notch in the final part of the film during the brutal and very realistically filmed fight between an old veteran versus a young generation. This fight was the toughest one of them all, according to Stallone, cause the punches are real.
Because the movie doesn't rely on sweaty gym shots and bloody punches, but highlights the drama instead, Rocky Balboa really becomes a beautiful closure to the saga. A very daring move of Sylvester Stallone who, against all odds and resistance, goes back to where it all began. An underdog who doesn't give up that easy and fights his way back to the top.
Written by Reggy 10/12/06
© mgm 2006
© mgm 2006
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