Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young,
Antonio Tarver, Milo Ventimiglia, Tony Burton
Directed by Sylvester Stallone
Rated PG
5 Pulses
Finally, a sequel that focuses more on what made the original so good?the drama and heart of the story above the actual fight. Rocky Balboa is a return to form for the franchise, and this sequel, the sixth if anyone is counting, is as good as the original. I don’t know what more anyone could ask for in this final chapter. It’s reverential, reminiscent and packs one hell of a punch. Rocky Balboa is a very nice end to a franchise that tells the ultimate underdog story.
Rocky (Stallone) is a living legend throughout Philadelphia, and now, owner of an Italian restaurant called Adrian’s, he’s greeted with respect and admiration for his great legacy to the sport of boxing. It’s really the only thing keeping him going at this point in his life.
He’s losing his son, Rocky Jr. (Ventimiglia), who feels he’s always looked at in his father’s shadow. He’s already lost his wife, Adrian (Talia Shire can be seen reprising the role in archival footage). She died of cancer a few years back. Paulie (Young), Adrian’s brother, is still around, but continues to complain. He’s a glass half empty kind of guy.
However, things start to change as Rocky sits for a drink at the old neighborhood tavern. The bartender is none other than “Little” Marie (Geraldine Hughes), a young street junkie who Rocky told in the original film to shape up or she’d become a whore. Thankfully, she wised up. Rocky befriends her and her son, giving them both jobs and a free meal at his restaurant.
Their friendship starts to comfort the lonely Italian Stallion, but when he sees an ESPN computer generated match, claiming that if he fought the new, young heavyweight champion?Mason “The Line” Dixon (Tarver)?he’d win, he starts to wonder if he’s got anything left.
“I think there’s still some stuff in the basement,” says Rocky.
Dixon’s manager comes to offer Rocky a chance at an exhibition fight with the new champ, with proceeds going to charity. Rocky, slowly thinking it over, decides that he’s got one great fight left in him. The match is set for the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, in Las Vegas.
Is this sequel necessary? Absolutely not. The franchise became a joke, and while I don’t think Rocky V is that bad, the critics, box office and a lot of fans disagree. Even Stallone has stated that he was disappointed. It was supposed to end the franchise, but I’m glad it tanked, otherwise this remarkable film wouldn’t have been made.
Rocky Balboa works because it’s believable that a sports legend would continually wonder if he’s still got anything left, and if he can go toe-to-toe with today’s competition. Look no further than Michael Jordan coming back in a Wizards uniform, or Brett Favre having trouble letting go to see the reality of this fictional premise.
While it’s disappointing to no longer see Adrian around, it is a nice plot device to allow Rocky the drive and motivation needed to give it his all one last time. She was the one constantly trying to convince her husband to stop fighting throughout the sequels.
Rocky proves one last time that he’s nobodies chump, and while he may still be a little slow, he’s got a hell of a heart, something that makes all great heroes, legends.
