Let's face it, last time we met him, Balboa was in bad shape. And so was Sly. Now, 16 years later, what could we expect from a last chapter of Rocky's story?
The answer is: the best. Not the best the character had to offer, like in the first two movies. But the very best of Stallone's writing and direction. It may not mean that much to some cynical haters, or to those who grew disappointed by Sly's movies in the past decades. But let's never forget that Stallone created the most heroic, famous, inspiring hero of our time. How many careers in sports or arts were inspired and fueled by this tale of iron will and search for happiness?
You may think it's only "make-believe", that it's sometimes forced, or awkward. It's not totally false, but not totally true either. And it doesn't matter, it's the way Sylvester Stallone does his stuff. It's got Heart. It's somewhat hamfisted. It's Rocky. Coming out of retirement for one last fight. To win back his fans, both in the movie's and the real world.
After the death of his wife Adrian, a 50-something Rocky learnt to live alone again, recounting his fights to the patrons of his restaurant. Unsatisfied by his new life, he stays in shape and regularly tours his old spots with his brother-in-law Paulie (the criminally underrated Burt Young) in order to keep the past alive. But his biggest regret is his son Robert Jr (Milo Ventimiglia) who stays as far from his old father as he can, upset by his father's old glory and the side-effects it has on his life. Incapable to understand his son's grief and lack of self-esteem, Rocky tries to revive his boxing career in small, local events in order to win back the admiration and love of his son, and show him the way to fulfill his dreams. With the help of Marie (Geraldine Hughes, a great addition to the series) Rocky will face an astounding challenge when the actual Heavyweight champion Mason Dixon (real-life boxer Antonio Tarver, whose acting skills are surprisingly strong) wants to challenge him in an exhibition fight, in order to prove his detractors he's made of the stuff of the old champions...
Forget the age, forget the previous mediocre films. Rocky scores big time in this wonderful little movie. It's definitely not a masterpiece like the first one, but it's a touching, flawed, sincere attempt from an almost washed-up boxer (and actor) to shine one last time.
And above all, its the occasion for an artist to show his gratitude to the people around the world who made him what he is today. Rocky owed his fans a great final fight as well as Sly owed us a great finale.
Yo Sly. You DID it. Thank you.
The answer is: the best. Not the best the character had to offer, like in the first two movies. But the very best of Stallone's writing and direction. It may not mean that much to some cynical haters, or to those who grew disappointed by Sly's movies in the past decades. But let's never forget that Stallone created the most heroic, famous, inspiring hero of our time. How many careers in sports or arts were inspired and fueled by this tale of iron will and search for happiness?
You may think it's only "make-believe", that it's sometimes forced, or awkward. It's not totally false, but not totally true either. And it doesn't matter, it's the way Sylvester Stallone does his stuff. It's got Heart. It's somewhat hamfisted. It's Rocky. Coming out of retirement for one last fight. To win back his fans, both in the movie's and the real world.
After the death of his wife Adrian, a 50-something Rocky learnt to live alone again, recounting his fights to the patrons of his restaurant. Unsatisfied by his new life, he stays in shape and regularly tours his old spots with his brother-in-law Paulie (the criminally underrated Burt Young) in order to keep the past alive. But his biggest regret is his son Robert Jr (Milo Ventimiglia) who stays as far from his old father as he can, upset by his father's old glory and the side-effects it has on his life. Incapable to understand his son's grief and lack of self-esteem, Rocky tries to revive his boxing career in small, local events in order to win back the admiration and love of his son, and show him the way to fulfill his dreams. With the help of Marie (Geraldine Hughes, a great addition to the series) Rocky will face an astounding challenge when the actual Heavyweight champion Mason Dixon (real-life boxer Antonio Tarver, whose acting skills are surprisingly strong) wants to challenge him in an exhibition fight, in order to prove his detractors he's made of the stuff of the old champions...
Forget the age, forget the previous mediocre films. Rocky scores big time in this wonderful little movie. It's definitely not a masterpiece like the first one, but it's a touching, flawed, sincere attempt from an almost washed-up boxer (and actor) to shine one last time.
And above all, its the occasion for an artist to show his gratitude to the people around the world who made him what he is today. Rocky owed his fans a great final fight as well as Sly owed us a great finale.
Yo Sly. You DID it. Thank you.