Movie Review: Rocky Balboa (2006)

Let me start this review by admitting that I am a fan of the Rocky series, however far-fetched and cartoonish the sequels did get (I readily admit this). I think most every red-blooded American male of my generation really likes the Rocky movies. Sylvester Stallone's Rocky, the pride of Philadelphia, is kind-hearted working man like all of us aspire to be. Rocky's heart and stamina resonates something inside of the 12-year old in all of us. In our rush to grow up, we forget what it's like to have the heart of a child, and by the time we're old enough to remember what we've lost, we find that the world pushes us out the door, so to speak.

Believe me, when I heard Stallone was making Rocky VI (renamed Rocky Balboa), I was skeptical myself. But the early buzz kept coming in that this was actually going to be good one and a much more fitting end to the series than Rocky V was, thank goodness. So I made up my mind that I'd have to see it when it came out. Lo and behold, come opening night, I was in my seat with my Cherry Coke and peanut M&M's.

à Spoiler here - do not read if you have not seen the film. J

Rocky Balboa opens up in Philadelphia. Rocky is now well over the hill and retired. His wife, Adrian, has died several years ago of "woman cancer". Rocky owns a restaurant in Philly called "Adrian's". On a nightly basis, he regails the guests with tales of his ring exploits with Apollo Creed, etc., and poses for photographs with the patrons. Rocky is a lonely man, his wife is gone, Mickey (his original trainer from the first 3 movies) is gone. Adrian's brother and Rocky's best friend, Paulie, is still around. Rocky's son, Robert, is grown up, and is working in an upscale firm. Robert is desperately trying to get out from under his father's shadow, which looms large over Philadelphia, creating a disconnect between father and son.

Soon, Rocky meets Marie, the little girl from the first Rocky, while the latter is tending bar in downtown Philly. Marie is now grown up and has a son named Steps. Rocky takes Marie under his wing and offers her the hostess job at Adrian's.

Meanwhile, the current heavyweight champion Mason "The Line" Dixon (played by real light-heavyweight champ Antonio Tarver), is making headlines by beating an endless stream of no-name opponents. The fans dislike Dixon because he hasn't proven himself. ESPN soon runs one of those computerized "superfights" between Dixon and Rocky Balboa. The simulation says that Rocky in his prime would have knocked out Dixon. Rocky had been considering fighting again, just to get "some stuff out of the basement". Soon, Rocky is set upon by Dixon's management who want to organize an exhibition fight between the current and former heavyweight champion. Rocky is skeptical at first, and everyone around him thinks it's a bad idea, including his son. Rocky get his boxing license renewed, despite a plea from the commission. Rocky soon delivers a very memorable speech to his son, telling him that life is full of troubles, but it's all about how you get back up and take the hits.

Next comes the obligatory training sequence we all know and love. Here, Apollo and Rocky's trainer "Duke" Evers (Tony Burton) returns. Duke tells Rocky that he can't train like he used to, because he doesn't have the speed that he used to and he can't spar because he has calcium deposits on his joints. Duke says that Rocky has to call on power "so let's start buildin' some hurtin' bombs". So cue "Gonna Fly Now" and the next montage which has Rocky running up the stairs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art again.

The Balboa/Dixon match was actually film on the undercard of an HBO PPV fight in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay. Stallone is in excellent shape for an old man. For the first round or so, Rocky can't get used to Dixon's speed and gets frustrated. Dixon breaks his left hand with a punch that hits Rocky in the hip. Soon, Rocky starts calling up that famous stamina, and starts hitting Dixon with those famous body shots and combinations. Interestingly, Stallone says that this fight was more realistic than many of the previous Rocky fights. Many of the punches and knockdowns are real, and you can tell if you watch closely. Rocky and Dixon beat each other pretty badly for an exhibition (billed "Will vs. Skill"). In fairness, I'll save the ending for you to see yourself. J

Rocky Balboa is a surprisingly good movie with a lot heart and soul. The movie is well-scripted, spending more time reflecting on the passage of time. Don't get me wrong, the fight sequence is as good and hard-hitting as any of the other Rocky films, but less overall time is spent on it. This movie is a very fitting end to the series; much more so than Rocky V (which Stallone himself didn't like). Early reviews are very positive to this film. I believe people are genuinely surprised that this old warhouse still has legs.

Rating: *** out of four stars