Rocky Balboa Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

Back for one more fight...

There’s a moment in Rocky Balboa, around the one hour mark, when it all makes sense. When the reason for this sequel comes to light. After the first half of slow paced scene setting, with pundits predicting (via computer analysis) that Rocky Balboa would beat Mason Dixon, the current champ, one moment drags you fully into the film.

It starts with the line “Yeah, let’s start building some hurtin’ bombs!” and then THAT fanfare kicks in, the training montage starts up, and THOSE steps are run up once more! Anyone who doesn’t instantly swell with excitement at that moment is sat in the wrong film, and should, perhaps, go see The Holiday instead!

That moment declares, “Rocky is here…and we love it!”

The film, written, directed and starring Stallone, is the perfect bookend to the series. Matching alongside the first film in style and nature, it more than makes up for the mess that the series became by the time the last one was spawned. “He’s too old!” moan some skeptics, and at 60 you would think so. Then you see Stallone in action, and you believe in him. This is helped by the fact that the film even acknowledges the aging nature of the character, with arthritis and ‘softening up’ being commented on. For the charity showcase match that Rocky and Dixon will put on, the training for Rocky will be more about power and less about movement.

Rocky Balboa could very well be the re-launch that Stallone needs after so many years in mediocrity. It certainly shows that he can still write, can still direct, and certainly can act. More than all of them he can still entertain, and at the end of the day, that is exactly what we go to the cinema for….entertainment.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Decent closing of a mediocre franchise

A surprise in the end that it wasn't quite as bad as I thought it was going to be, which isn't to say that this film is consistently good because it's not. In fact, the first hour of the film is standard Rocky territory with badly written dialogue and heavy-handed direction to emphasise to us that things just-aren't-the-same-as-they-used-to-be. It's choc full of the franchise cliches and really doesn't drift from them, delivering what you expect in terms of story. If you want to see the same film as you've seen several times before then you'll be happy. However that isn't to say that there's not some good moments in the film because there is. Despite his success the main character's post-career progress rings with a believable truth and although he doesn't quite give us the character study that we want, Stallone shows glimpses of a man tinged with a sadness that you sympathise with. To me though it didn't feel that the character was aware of the sadness that I felt for his situation as he seemed relatively happy doing what he was doing. Beyond the poor dialogue and predictable script there's some nice touches and comments about the current state of world heavyweight boxing, America and a terribly cheesy speech to a teenager that does actually work. It's when we get to the final act that the film steps up a bit with the training montage and then some great camera work and editing as the main fight comes onto the screen. The fight itself starts well but within seconds you're into Rockyworld and the realism disappears (one of my main criticisms of the first film). Eventually the character's honesty and sincerity wins you over leaving you with a strangely moving end as the film becomes the epitaph for a character that has dominated Stallone's life for so long.

Throw the towl in before you rent!

The Rocky series has a place in my heart, I still have fond memories of my dad taking us to the pictures when we were young to Rocky 4, the atmosphere of popcorn being thrown at Ivan Drago...the boos...the hysterical chants of Rocky, Rocky, Rocky......the stand on hair montage at the finale with fantastic soundtrack.......now aged 34 the chance again to go and watch Rocky with my dad........

Bored stiff....literally for 90% of the film. It shouldntve been made in my opinion. It was slow and dull, painful even at times as it just isnt the same as the other Rocky films. The acting by Sly Stallone is wooden and is a far, far, cry from the films I grew up with.

Rocky fans will HAVE to watch this film, simple as that, even knowing it wont live up to its previous glory because thats how good this series is, but sadly this wont be one trip down memory lane that will live long.

Possible the best rocky ever?

Rocky, Rocky!Sylvester Stallone brings himself and his best loved character back into the big time with this 6th instalment in the rocky series.I have to say its a fitting finale for one of cinema's greatest characters.The film bears most resemblance to the first in the series whereby its more drama than action but when that signature theme tune rings in and rocky enters the ring for one final time, the climatic fight scene does not dissapoint.Any true fans of the series will revel in this, possible the best out of the lot, cetainly up there with the original.Stallone has triumphed as writer,director and star, the film is excellently well made and the fight scene is the most realistic and bloodthirsty ever.Great supporting cast too especially from real life fighter Antonio Tarver as the (not so) peoples champion mason the line dixon.Whether he wins or not doesn't matter, the film and stallone triumphs in giving rocky one last shot all the fans wanted to see.A welcome return to the big time for Sly beckons!

[Highly rated reviewer]

Finally the gloves are off...

This may be the last outing for Rocky, and I'll admit I went along not particularly looking forward to twelve rounds of this, but you know what, it was really good.

The story line may be predictably a slight bit cheesy and laboured in some parts, but it was by no means dull, and it built up very nicely indeed. A really well done end piece by Mr Stallone that he can definately be pleased with. I would say it is definately a worthwhile watch.

Let's get ready to mumble!

Ok, let's get something straight off the bat - I am not a fan of the original Rocky. Although I can understand its classic status, it was all about the sequels for me (with the exception of Rocky V), so comparisons to the original were irrelevant for me. However, I LOVED IT!! Put aside however preposterous the premise may be (George Foreman was still fighting in his fifties, and nothing is as ridiculous as a great white shark with vengeance on its mind!)), and enjoy a wonderful, heartfelt film. You really feel the affection for the character Stallone and the audience has permeate every inch of every frame of this film. My one negative point was when the final fight went into montage, as it took me out the momentum of the fight. I was also surprised at the volume of the score. I was expecting, nay craving, to be bombarded by Bill Conti's magnificent score. Those minor points aside, a fitting finale to a great (if cheesy) canon of films.

Excellent!

Our family are huge fans of Rocky. This movie was touching and very realistic. A great end to great story. We were just sad that the movie didn't last longer than the 90 minutes. We saw it in the cinema and the whole audience was very excitable watching this and there were even cheers! It felt as though we were watching something real. It is so sad that Sylvester Stallone had to get older as this could have carried on and on. We will definitely be buying this to add to our collection.

Farewell Rocky! Love ya!

What a waste of time

My word, having to suffer Sly mumbling his way through the biggest half of a completely dire script, then to suffer the horror of wrinkly muscles jumping about a ring, I've still not recovered. The only good thing about this movie was the end credits, my punishment had ended.

All in all, an over the hill actor trying to relive his glory days that in all fairness weren't that special in the first place.

A great final-round for Rocky

If your a fan of the Rocky movies like me you probably remember just how utterly depressing and negative Rocky V left you. Broke and brain-damaged, our hero was sent back to the neighbourhood he strived to drag himself out of, even (painfully) dressing same (gringe-worthy). it was a tragic way to leave our hero.

Stallone himself agreed he hadn't liked the way things had been left, so with one more glory-seeking round comes Rocky Balboa. It's starts well enough, Rocky has a restaurant 'Adrian's' named after his now-dead wife. His son has a city-job and Paulie still works in the meat-packing plant. All is as well as it can be, until Rocky watches a simulated fight between himself (in Rocky II prime) and current world champion Mason Dixon (suffering from unpopularity).

Cue Rocky's decision to enter the ring one more time. For one more shot at glory in an exhibition bout in Las Vegas. Slowly we're drawn to the inevitable training sequence post-problems solved and Paulie / Rocky Jr on-board.

Unlike the naive child-like Rocky of past movies, here he's world-weary and wiser. Offering genuinely good advice to his career-stunted son. Being genuine about his desire to fight. A refreshing change. Plus he never looks scared, just fragile with age, even when blankly threatened by the towering champ.

Then we get to the fight, filmed in ESPN style to add (for once) a real sense of realism to the fight. It's refreshing, original and certainly adds weight to the often flimsy corner moments of past Rocky movies.

Mason Dixon is perfectly balanced against Rocky's width and bulk, there was some talk of Tyson in the role but thankfully he's sidelined as only a commentator.

In the final rounds Rocky Balboa shines above it's previous 80's excess and bravado moments to offer fans a movie with obvious paralells to the first film, but more than that a great sending off for an iconic character.

If your a Rocky fan like me this is a great way to say goodbye to a childhood hero. Otherwise there's a great fight and some fun along the way with more substance than previous Rocky flicks.

Rocky Balboa,True Cinema Legend

I was so looking forward to this movie and glad to report it doesnt dissapoint.It certainly echo's the original Rocky which is why i loved it so much.