Rocky Balboa

Review By: Stephen Snart
StephenSnart@TheCinemaSource.com

Unlike James Bond or Superman (whose lead actors can be interchanged if need be), no one will ever be able to play Rocky Balboa except for Sylvester Stallone. Hopefully I won’t live to see the day that some money hungry studio boss tries to dig up the iconic character and reinvent him with whatever hot young star is currently conquering the box office. A Rocky movie just won’t work without the original Italian Stallion because there’s so much of Stallone himself within the character. This sixth and purportedly final installment in the Rocky franchise is actually the most organic sequel in the series, as the actor hasn’t been this entwined with the character since he debuted in the original 1976 film.

Thirty years later, Rocky has matured from a two-bit part-time mobster into a brain-damaged and tranquil restaurateur. His loyal wife, Adrian (Talia Shire) has passed before him but he’s still just as much in love with her as he was while she was still alive. He regularly holds vigil at her tombstone and occasionally revisits the torn-down ice rink where they shared their first date.

The former people’s champ and pride of Philadelphia is able to exist with his life of wistful nostalgia but those close to him can sense that things aren’t right. His old friend Paulie (Burt Young) is tired of living in the past and his son, Rocky Jr. (Milo Ventimiglia) is tired of living in his father’s shadow. Rocky Sr. soon strikes up a friendship with a young single mom named Marie (Geraldine Hughes – a street version of Pam from The Office) who restores his confidence through his ability to be a caretaker once again.

Meanwhile in the world of professional boxing, the current champion - Mason “The Line” Dixon (Antonio Tarver) has a real image problem and the ratings have been steadily dwindling due to his brash persona. One night, a gimmicky ESPN program presents a computer-generated simulation of what would happen if Rocky had squared off against Dixon while he was still in his prime. The suggestion of a computer image beating the immensely hated Dixon is enough to send the public into a frenzy and before you know it, Rocky has heard their cry and steps heroically back onto the training grounds.

Hearing Bill Conti’s classic score is third only to John Williams’ scores for Star Wars and Superman in its ability to stir up the inner fan boy and inspire unmitigated awe for the spectator. We get a quick tease of Conti’s fanfare during the opening titles but when it comes in full force during the training sequence, it’s nearly impossible not to smile uncontrollably as your heart flutters with excitement. As Rocky revisits all the training spots made famous thirty years ago, it’s not just a mere retread but a message of resilience. In fact, getting to see Rocky train one last time is probably the three most invigorating moments from any film released ...