Over a year ago the rumors were circulating that they were making a new Rocky movie. I just shook my head in disbelief. This past summer when the first trailer was released, I laughed. It looked so bad. I actually downloaded it online and showed it to friends and family and the consensus was that this would be the biggest joke of the holiday season.
Then last month they released a trailer with clips including his son and some very good fight footage. Hmmm…..despite knowing how foolish it was, I was intrigued. I have seen that trailer several times since then. Last week I heard Sylvester Stallone in an interview say that he made this movie as a ‘thank you’ to the fans. That clinched the deal for me. So today, for our (Mary, Tori and myself) family Christmas, I found myself at the first showing of the day to see a movie that I vowed I would never see in the theatre. A movie that I now had sky-high expectations for…
Wow! Rocky Balboa delivers! In my enthusiasm I will do my best to avoid any boxing related puns. Stallone obviously thought long and hard about the legacy of these films and it truly is a gift for fans of the other 4 films (there is no Rocky V….I’ve never seen it, never will).
If you grew up in my generation the Rocky franchise was a phenomenon akin to Star Wars, not quite in the same ballpark, obviously, but in the sense of being a recognizable force in the box office and in our culture. Rocky is truly an iconic being. Who of my generation doesn’t remember the thrill of Rocky Balboa triumphing over the cock-sure Clubber Lang (Mr. T.) in Rocky III or carrying the weight of the American political ideology into the ring to put the beat down on Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) in Rocky IV? I recall seeing Rocky IV mulitple times in the theatre and swelling with national pride each time Rocky Balboa emerged victorious. Didn’t you always want to go out and fight someone after seeing these films? They were adrenaline rushes coupled with an old fashioned spirit which was the reason for their massive success.
Rocky Balboa is a love letter to the fans. Three-fourths of the movie is slow, methodical, melancholy….perfect. Sylvester Stallone allows us to see the hurt, the pain, the reality of life after success. Of life after loss. And it works. Rather than pushing saccharine coated sentimentality Stallone allows us to see a Rocky who is not a one-dimensional character. Rocky Balboa doesn’t have a bad life, or an unbelievably good life. He has a real life filled with ups and downs and sadness and regret. That portion of the film is handled so very well. And it only gets better. As Rocky’s training starts and the music, which is itself an iconic character of this franchise, ushers in the final quarter of this film, the adrenaline begins to flow and it does not let up until the very end.
The last phase of Rocky Balboa, the part of the film that we are all there to see, was artfully rendered. A combination of masterfully inserted flashbacks and deft use of monochrome colors allows the fight scene to convey a nostalgic remembrance of why we all loved Rocky originally while at the same time bringing satisfying closure to Sylvester Stallone’s celluloid legacy.
In all probability I am overtly sentimental because we are celebrating our Christmas tonight. That being said, I was quite choked up by this film. I was atypically man-ish and held it all in, knowing my daughter would probably think her father had lost his mind blubbering over a boxing film. For me, however, this film did what Sylvester Stallone wanted it to do. It brought back all those great memories of watching Rocky movies as a kid. And with those memories came recollections of times spent with my brother and with childhood friends. Memories of how emotionally satifsying those films were. Memories that make up a small part of the person I am today. Thankfully the women went to the bathroom so that I could gather myself together before talking about Rocky Balboa.
If I had to give a one-word description of Rocky Balboa it would be this: satisfying. I am unsure how this film will play with audiences who are not familiar with the franchise. I can only speak for my daughter who said that she really enjoyed it. Rocky Balboa left me with a deep satisfaction and for that I say ‘thank you’, Sylvester Stallone.
I too laughed when I saw the first trailer. I thought Stallone had made a big mistake making this movie. About a month ago I admitted to Carl that I wanted to see it. I was really glad that he was thinking the same thing. I really enjoyed the movie, and I hope all of you who loved the 1st four Rocky movies will enjoy this one too.
ADRIANNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m so glad you gave it a good review..I love the franchise as well. I heard he had a hard time selling this movie to get it made. I would be so upset if it was done badly.
The first time Tom showed me the trailer, I immediately wanted to see it. I was one of those fans at every Rocky show that came out. It WAS a part of our growing up years! I loved them all, the music, the guts, the pain, the black eyes and the triumphs.
I can’t wait to see this one too!
Holy Crap! I do believe I am a little exhonerated here because if I remember correctly I showed the trailer over at James’s house to an audience of jeers, snickers and raised Steve Austin eyebrows. I got the look reserved usually for those who know little about PC’s making a statement about the best software. I PROUDLY announced I would be there in the theater with my wife and pay the $20 because I knew it would be worth it. The only thing that would be better than reading this positive review is to hear James say he went to the theater and loved it!
…BTW I took a good friend to see Casino Royale last weekend and the theater was sold out. Sold Out! It’s been out too long to be sold out. My friend loved it as well as I and he also laughed at seeing Rocky. I guess another movie night is in order.
I was so glad to hear that you all loved it. Now if we can only get him to make Oscar II. I mean that too. I thought Oscar was hilarious.
I knew I would get crap from you Tom since you had no doubts about seeing this one. That’s okay though. I am glad you were right, I really enjoyed this and would see it again.
I loved Oscar and wish Stallone would do more comedy as well. I really like period ensemble comedies like that. Of course now that Rocky was good I am also looking forward to the new Rambo film.
After seeing the previews, I can’t wait to see this!
I read another rave review on it as well.. I’m excited.. I know I can get my sister (who’s favorite actor is Sly… No, I’m not lying.) and dad to go with me.
Oh, and I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!!
I am one of the few who claimed Rocky as one of her favorite films. Really, to me it was not only a story of undaunting courage, but of love. I am so enthralled how Rocky and Adrienne brought out the best in each other, let alone overcame such a dreadful existence apart. I’m glad to hear that you found some redeeming qualities in the new release because I was afraid it was going a bit too far. (I hope I haven’t changed as much as Rocky did from 1977ish to now. But, I suspect that isn’t the case. 🙂
Merry Christmas, Carl.
Okay just saw the movie yesterday morining. Wow! I think if you are like 20 or 21 and know very little of the Rocky story or cared little about it, you’d find this movie boring. But… if you’re 30 something and are familiar with the character and series you will find this movie deeply moving. I loved the story and found it to be very plausible. I must say Rocky was in much better shape than his opponent. He was buff! I was moved by his humanity and how his priorities in life were relationships and people. The fighting was good, too.
…typo on the morning.
Dare I even mention among this group of Rocky fans that I’ve never seen any of the movies? I guess I just did.
The horror!!!! 😉
Glad you gave it a good review, I too laughed when I first heard of this film coming out, but I’m quite looking forward to it now.
Great review Carl. If I had to come up with a one word review I’d say sweet 🙂 but satisfying works just as well.
I’m severely tempted to go out and buy all the other Rocky films now. I’ve never seen V either, but kinda want to, just to have seen it you know?
I can live without seeing V. 😉
And you’re right, ‘sweet’ is a very good descriptor for this film. It is very sweet, very endearing.