In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« TV Matt'rs
Thirty Years Later, Rocky Balboa Still Packs a Punch
Can we all just close our eyes and pretend that Rocky V never happened? Because if ever there were a franchise-finisher to be remembered for staging the Italian Stallion's final bout, Rocky Balboa, due out Dec. 20, portends to be it. Having grown up with this film series, I cheered and I cried at a press screening last week, as the famed palooka-turned-pugilist entered the ring just one more, most memorable time.
The Oscar-winning Rocky and its first follow-up were seminal films, even coining the term "a Rocky story" to sum up the tale of an underdog (in this case, a loan shark's sad-sack collection man) who overcomes the odds to achieve greatness — a bid for both true love and the title.
Rocky III, with the arrival of Mr. T's Clubber Lang, found Rocko facing his fiercest opponent yet — as Burgess Meredith's Mickey reveals (in his raspy growl) that previous comers "wuz hand-picked!" — and then dealing with the loss of the trainer he for so long held dear. Rocky IV, an ode to '80s excess and the Cold War and an unabashed American flag-waving collection of musical montages, nonetheless was a crowd-rouser, as witnessed at the Stamford Trans-Lux theater where I ushered during that winter of '85. Yes, I can quote the film from start to finish ("If he dies, he dies") as well as tell you, based solely on the musical score, exactly when Rocky KO's Drago.
I am not a film reviewer by trade — TVGuide.com has Maitland and Ken for that — and Rocky Balboa may not be a cinematic masterpiece, but it really struck a chord with me. It's no spoiler to disclose that in this sixth entry, we find Rocky, some 10 years after the fact, coping with his loss of Adrian to "the woman's cancer." When Rocko isn't regaling the patrons of his Italian eatery with well-worn tales from the ring, he's visiting Adrian's grave, and regularly coerces a boozier-than-ever Paulie (Burt Young) into touring the marrieds' old haunts (the ice rink, the pet shop...), each stop punctuated by a judicious, at times clever use of Talia Shire flashbacks. Meanwhile, Robert Balboa (né Rocky Jr.) — an earring-wearing punk in V and now a suited-up corporate drone played by Heroes' Milo Ventimiglia — has a fractured relationship with his pop, whose shadow still looms large.
Elsewhere, playing out what seems to be his own version of the Rocky II/Apollo Creed story line, an (of course) undefeated Mason "the Line" Dixon (real-life light-heavyweight fighter Antonio Carver) is taking no pleasure in his title, especially when an ESPN simulation suggests that an in-his-prime Balboa would knock the current champ to tomorro'. And thus, the stage is set for Rocky's final fight, one in which our punch-drunk hero hopes to purge the beast that has been eating at him since Adrian's too-soon passing, to find some sort of apt closure for his storied life.
It shames me none at all to say that Stallone, who wrote and directed Rocky Balboa, had my eyes welling up on several occasions, including during a monologue that will knock you to the mat. And the film does have some moments of original-Rocky greatness. Save for some obtrusive HBO branding during the big fight, there is nothing "cheap" about this cinematic coda. Stallone was obviously trying to salvage the series from the taint of Part V by infusing this film with loads and loads of heart, and boy does it have it. I haven't even mentioned a charming subplot regarding a single mom (Irish-born Geraldine Hughes, in a winning big-screen debut) from the ol' neighborhood whom Rocky befriends.
Can Rocky's will overcome his half-as-old opponent's skill? Can he emerge standing in the fight of — the fight for — his life? Or is America's and filmdom's indefatigable icon down for the count at last and set to leave behind an impressive legacy? Whatever the on-screen outcome, suffice it to say that, even three decades later, the fighter from Philly still packs an emotional punch. Yo, Rocky — you did it.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Dec 12, 2006 12:57 PM
|
Matt--I was a big fan of the first two Rocky movies, but not so much the last few. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I heard about Rocky Balboa--after all, remember the poster for Rocky XXVI (or some such number) that Robert Hayes walks past in Airplane 2?
But the trailer made the movie look ... not half-bad. And I'm an optimist. So based on your recommendation, I'm going to throw aside my skepticism and see it. Thanks for the review!
|
|
Dec 12, 2006 1:40 PM
|
|
Thanks for reading, AlisonRose! I'm the first to admit I did not know what to expect walking into that screening room last week. A part of my Rocky-loving self was cringing. (Horrid visions of Tommy "Machine Gun" Morrison and all.) But damn if Rocky Balboa didn't play me like a fiddle.
|
|
Dec 12, 2006 2:26 PM
|
Thanks for the review, Matt. It has completely piqued my interest. I'm a ROCKY fan as well and I thought previews made this movie look great. I can't wait to see it.
The only creepy thing is how much Milo V. looks like Sly - right down to the crooked mouth and grin. Are you sure they're aren't related in real life? 
|
|
Dec 12, 2006 2:54 PM
|
|
I would just like to say thank you Matt. Thank you for giving me hope again. The first four rocky films are my favorite movies of all time. With the exception of Remember the Titans, there is not another movie that i will watch no matter when it is on tv. I didnt leave my house onetime when TNT showed a marathon when saturday (but i digress). However i have to shamely admit i had mixed emotions about the 6th one. When i first read the synopsis a few months back i was stoked. Rocky I was not about winning but just going the distance just proving you can do it. Rocky II was showing you could do it, you were better than even you thought and you had to prove it. Rocky III about keeping the eye of the tiger, to never give up. And of course Rocky IV was about ending communism and we should ALL thank Rock for that. (through some counceling ive learned to block out Rocky V, so unforunately i cant talk about that one). And I saw Rocky Balboa about proving how your not washed up. Showing everyone you still have something in you. Even though you may not look it, you have something great left inside of you. But then I read an even more detailed summary, and i thought "dont do this, dont destroy Rocky for me". It seemed to far fetch and like they werent trying to finish the rocky series strong but just make some money when sequels are big. I then saw the trailer and as soon as i heard those innaugaral horns in rocky's theme I got goose bumps, the plot didnt seem that great but visually it looked good, and at least rock seemed like rock. And now after reading your review i feel assured that i wont feel let down. LONG story short, i would just like to say thanks.
|
|
Dec 12, 2006 3:09 PM
|
Matt, as a 34 year old female, I'm now not ashamed to admit I own and play far too often, the Rocky IV soundtrack. Its on right now thanks to your positive review of Rocky Balboa.
I own the 5 pack of VHS Rocky films but never watched the 5th one for fear that it would ruin my fond memories of the series. I'm glad I didn't! I'm looking forward to the new movie. Thanks for the great review!
I'm a sucker for Stallone movies that make me cry. Yeah, I tear up at the end of Rambo 1 and 2 ("All we want is for our country to love us, as much as we love it!"). Oh, and Matt while you can quote Rocky IV from start to finish, I can replay the entire Cobra movie in my head
|
|
Dec 12, 2006 3:44 PM
|
Matt, as a 34 year old female, I'm now not ashamed to admit I own and play far too often, the Rocky IV soundtrack.
Man, that soundtrack brings back memories. The theater I was working at was playing Rocky IV, Spies Like Us {"Doctor? Doctor.") and Runaway Train. Just don't make me divulge the truth about movie popcorn.
Yeah, I tear up at the end of Rambo 1 and 2 ("All we want is for our country to love us, as much as we love it!").
Isn't that a great line? Right up there with, "If I can change, and you can change... everybody can change!"
Oh, and Matt while you can quote Rocky IV from start to finish, I can replay the entire Cobra movie in my head
Not something to brag about.
|
|
Dec 12, 2006 3:53 PM
|
|
I too thought the trailer was intriguing. Thanks Matt, your review definitely makes me want to see it.
|
|
Dec 12, 2006 8:27 PM
|
Matt, you're ahead of the curve! The reviewer from Newsweek has now giving a good review to Rocky Balboa. There's also a really nice interview with Stallone and his relationship to the character and his fans.
I am SO THERE.
|
|
Dec 13, 2006 11:53 AM
|
|
Thanks for the review! I watched all the others, and kind of cringed when I heard they were making another Rocky. But you have given me hope. And I love Milo so I'm looking forward to this movie now.
|
|
Dec 13, 2006 8:05 PM
|
Can Rocky's will overcome his half-as-old opponent's skill?
If 100 year old Rocky beats an All-That 20 something, then Sly Stone is nothing more than Ashton punking the audience.
|
|
Dec 22, 2006 2:12 PM
|
|
|
