The Italian Stallion returns to the silver screen one last time to prove to both boxing fans, and movie audiences that he’s got one last fight left in him.
I can remember being a kid and watching the original Rocky films with my Dad. Now keep in mind I was born after the first two films were released so my first viewing of them was on tape (yeah, remember those?), but I can distinctly remember being on the edge of my seat each time the Italian Stallion would step into the ring for yet another fight. Like most children of the 80’s actors like Schwarzenegger, and Stallone were the guys you went to see when you wanted to see some great action. For Schwarzenegger it was legendary characters like Conan the Barbarian, Beck (from the Predator), and of course the Terminator that made him a household name. For Stallone it was characters like John Rambo (who is another one of my favorites), and a Philadelphia born boxer with big dreams, and a hat named Rocky Balboa that really made him stand out from other action stars.
The character of Rocky Balboa hasn’t appeared on the silver screen in over 15 years, and the last time he was on the screen, well....it was less than stellar. What was great about the first couple of Rocky films was that here you’ve got this “average joe” (no pun intended) from Philly who has dreams of becoming a World champion, and believes he has what it takes to make it to the top when virtually no one else does. The first 3 films are great because it’s almost like watching a real boxer come up in the ranks. Remember in the original Rocky when he fought Apollo Creed for the first time and lost? Then in Rocky II when they fought again and he came out on top. Then of course his legendary battle with Clubber Lang (played to perfection by the always entertaining Mr. T) in Rocky III that saw him lose his championship, and return to win it back. And who can forget the international war with Ivan Drago (undoubtedly Dolph Lundgren’s best performance) in Rocky IV (my personal favorite) that saw Rocky travel all the way to the USSR to avenge the death of Apollo Creed? I mean come on, you’ve got to admit that at least the first four films were instant classics. Rocky’s fifth venture to the big screen lost a bit of the charm as the first four, but still saw Rocky, who was now living a more humble existence square off against his one time protege Tommy “The Machine” Gunn in a grueling street fight.
Now in Rocky Balboa (a.k.a Rocky VI) we’re brought back to Philly to see Rocky, who’s been retired for some time still adjusting to life after the loss of his beloved Adrian. We’re told that it’s been about three years since her passing (which I believe was due to cancer) and each year Rocky and Paulie (played once again with as much charm as ever before by Burt Young) take a trip down memory lane by visiting all of the key spots that played a part in Rocky and Adrian meeting, and ultimate falling in love. Rocky is now working as the owner of a restaurant named, what else....Adrian’s. We’re also introduced to Mason “The Line” Dixon played by real life professional boxer Antonio Tarver. Dixon is the current undisputed, and undefeated Heavyweight Champion that despite having everything money can buy, can’t seem to get boxing fans to take a liking to him.
Dixon’s main problem is that boxing critics feel as if he’s been spoon fed every opponent that he’s faced, and hasn’t really been tested against a true challenger to see if he’s as good as he thinks he is. Dixon’s ego takes a further beating when a virtual match entitled “Then VS Now” featuring Dixon squaring off against Rocky Balboa in his prime suggests that the Italian Stallion would not only win the fight, but win by a KO, is run on ESPN. Naturally this sends Dixon’s PR people into a feeding frenzy to set up what is being billed as a dream match between the two fighters.
Rocky catches wind of this virtual fight and begins to wonder if he’s got what it takes to step into the ring one last time. What’s great about this part is that being in his late 50’s, Rocky has to re-apply for a boxing license and is initially turned down once the athletic commission deems it “too risky” to license a fighter way past his prime. After he delivers a speech that is sure to touch anyone in the audience, the board appoves his license and it makes headlines that the two-time former champ is officially back in the game. I liked this a lot because it humanizes Rocky in that it once again forces him to come to terms with the fact that he is getting older, and he’s not what he used to be. This element is a key factor throughout the course of the film all the way to the end.
Once Rocky’s son Robert (played by HEROES star Milo Ventigmilia) catches wind of this he tries to talk his Dad out of it citing that it’s been hard enough living in his Father’s shadow even after he retired, now if he steps back into the ring it’s going to be virtually impossible for anyone to take him (Robert) seriously. Once again Rocky delivers a heart warming speech about knowing he can do this despite nobody believing in him. He tells his son "it doesn’t matter how hard you hit, what matters is how hard you can get hit, and how many times you can get back up”....Stallone does a great job with these parts in the film, he really sells you that much as Rocky’s calmed down, he’s still a fighter....and fighters fight.
On evening at his restaurant Rocky is approached by Dixon’s manager (played by one time gossip columnist AJ Benza) and PR rep about making this “Then VS Now” dream match a reality. This pique’s Balboa’s interest, but once again realizing that he’s not the same fighter he once was he tells them "I ain’t really interested in getting mangled and embarassed." They assure Rocky that this is purely an exhibition match, and part of the money from the fight would be donated to charity...this is all Rocky needs to accept the match and begin his training.
Now earlier in the afternoon I received a phone call from a friend of mine who asked me what I was doing. Once I told her that I was going to see Rocky, she immediately started in with the "he’s too old to be making those movies"...which was funny, because that very thing was a major point in the film. After we went back and forth about how great Rocky was I told her the same thing I’ve told people for years, "I don’t care who you are, or how old you are...once you hear that Rocky theme your adrenaline immediately starts to pump and you get fired up." She agreed. This is something that is once again proven once Rocky begins his training. It’s one thing to hear the classic “Gonna Fly” song played, but it’s an entirely different thing to hear it played during a Rocky film as he begins to train for a fight...I mean come on, that song is just as classic as the Star Wars theme, or the Indiana Jones theme, and to see Rocky back in action with that song gave me chills.
Rocky is told that he’s too old (there’s that phrase again) and his body’s too worn down to train like he used to, so now they’re going to rely on his raw power to get him thru the fight with Dixon. The training montage is great as it really takes us back to the original films watching Rocky train. Being older naturally Rocky struggles with some of the training, but by the end of the montage he’s overcome his physical limitations and pushed himself beyond anyone’s expectations. Oh, and for those of you wondering...YES, Rocky does punch the slab of meat in the freezer, YES he does drink the eggs (though it seems as if he’s a bit hesitant), and YES he does don the gray sweat suit and run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum....yeah I was pretty amped by this point. It reminded me of being a kid and mimicing Rocky’s movements as he trained....unfortunately this time around the people in the audience didn’t appreciate it when I started to shadow box in my seat....oh well.
After the traning montage we finally arrive at the night of the big fight being held at, where else....Las Vegas. What I really liked about the end fight was that Stallone pulled out all the stops in ensuring that this looked just like a real boxing PPV. The event was an HBO PPV, Michael Buffer served as the ring announcer, and the commentators were all real boxing commentators. What was also impressive was the way the fight was shot, it really seemed like more of a PPV and less of a movie at this point which really added to the legitimacy of the event which is now being billed as “Skill VS Will."
The end fight had me on the edge of my seat. My Mom actually kept nudging me like she always does when we watch boxing, and ironically enough we both found ourselves yelling things like "come on Rocky!" or "Kick his ass Rocky!” (that was actually my Mom saying that one). I realize this is a movie, and the outcome is predetermined, but hey....I get into these sort of things, and this just isn’t any old boxing movie. This is Rocky.
Throughout the course of the fight it’s back and forth with Rocky showing that it’s not his training that’s going to carry him thru this fight, it’s his heart. Dixon goes to work on Rocky early on, but just like in the other films Rocky must take a beating before he can dish one out, and dish one out he does. During the course of the fight Dixon hurts his hand delivering a body shot, and this is all the opportunity Rocky needs to hit him with everything he’s got, actually sending the current undisputed, undefeated Heavyweight champ crashing to the mat for the first time in his career.
During the 10th round Rocky once again takes a beating, and is hit with a shot that spins him around and sends him down to one knee. This is the part that I particularly enjoyed as we see the World thru Rocky’s eyes, and we can hear him thinking to himself. All of a sudden we’re shown a flashback of all of the things that have cluttered Rocky’s mind for the past few years. His past battles, the training he’s gone thru, Adrian’s passing. We’re even shown the legendary Burgess Meredith as Rocky’s trainer Mickey delivering his classic line "get up ya bum!"...this was great. Rocky then reminds himself of what he told his son earlier, "it doesn’t matter how hard you hit, what matters is how hard you can get hit, and how many times you can get back up"...he then tells himself to get up, and that’s just what he does. Rocky pulls himself back up and proceeds to hit Dixon with everything he’s got....it was great.
While I won’t tell you the ending of the film, I will tell you that it was a great way for the character of Rocky to end a career that’s spanned four decades, and the last few seconds show Rocky standing over Adrian’s grave saying the one thing I’d been waiting for him to say, "yo Adrian, we did it.” It was a great way to end the film.
Overall I really enjoyed Rocky Balboa. I know a lot of people have made jokes about both Stallone, and the character of Rocky being too old, but you’ve got to give the guy credit. At 60 yrs old he’s probably in better shape than most people reading this review (myself included) and the fact that he played Rocky as he is, without the aid of over-the-top makeup to make him look younger really adds to the credibility of the film. I’m sure in writing this film Stallone knew that he’d be plagued with the comments about his age, and it seems as if he used those comments to his advantage because not only did Rocky make one final venture into the ring to prove his critics wrong, but Stallone has made one last venture as the character we’ve all loved for thirty years (for me it’s been more like twenty-something years). Rocky is very believable in the film since he’s portrayed as a man that realizes he’s getting older, and has nothing left to prove, but still wants to do the thing he loves to do. Even during the press conference scene Rocky is very humble, and despite the trash talking from Dixon, he thanks him for the opportunity. It’s obvious that what’s important to Rocky isn’t whether or not he wins or loses, but the fact that he was able to go out one last time and prove to himself that he still has what it takes.
The supporting cast was great as well. Burt Young plays Paulie better than ever. Despite his age, and his character’s age he’s still as cynical as ever which is great. Milo Ventigmilia really shows his acting ability playing Rocky’s son Robert. In the beginning of the film it’s obvious that Robert is trying to distance himself from his Father because he’s tired of being known as “little Rocky,” but by the end of the film we see Robert realize what’s important and come to Rocky’s side. The scene with Rocky and Robert talking outside of Adrian’s was terrific as both actors really seemed to work well off of each other, and it’s not hard at all to buy Milo as Rocky’s son. He’s great.
The film had just enough of the classic elements to remind fans of why the character of Rocky is so beloved. The traning montage, the flashback scenes at the end featuring Mickey and Adrian, and of course the classic theme all really helped sell this film as not just “yet another Rocky film” but as the finale to one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. Maybe I’m biased because I grew up loving the character or Rocky, or maybe it’s because I respect Stallone for not just cashing in on the franchise, and instead delivering a solid film. Either way I really enjoyed seeing the Italian Stallion take one last ride on the silver screen.