47 out of 61 people found the following review helpful:

Back for one more fight...

Meako from , 7th February, 2007

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.

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36 out of 52 people found the following review helpful:

Decent closing of a mediocre franchise

McClennan from , 1st May, 2007

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.

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37 out of 61 people found the following review helpful:

Throw the towl in before you rent!

MCFCBOLTON from , 28th April, 2007

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.

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29 out of 39 people found the following review helpful:

Possible the best rocky ever?

Andy from Hull, England, 19th January, 2007

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!

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Rocky Balboa

KissMiss from , 15th March, 2010

As a child I loved the Rocky films and everything they stood for in terms of the underdog working hard and then succeeding in life. However I was disappointed by Rocky Balboa it is very average until about the 1 hour mark and then the whole point to the film becomes clear and it is alittle more exciting. The end I actually quite liked. The film isn't terrible but I wouldn't rent it again.

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Surprised!

Patrick Ford from Andover, Hampshire uk, 10th March, 2010

You have got to love Stallone, he just never quits on a project. The plot was quite acceptable and ended satisfactorily, just like all the Rocky films. There are not many directors who can get this much mileage out a of a character. A Good laugh

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Easy to watch

sarahll from , 1st March, 2010

Was not expecting anything much from this film at all. It was an easy going film, don't expect it to be full of boxing though! It is more about him being a perfect gentleman, and it makes you fall in love with him, if only he was better looking! If you are renting this film to watch a boxing film, you will probably be disappointed.

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Meh

leeboi94 from , 18th February, 2010

Nothing special really. If you really won't to see a good film about the exciting world of boxing :) then watch one of the many other Rocky films.

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