Review: Rocky Balboa

Rocky Balboa is the sixth and final movie of the Rocky franchise. Yes, the famously sequel-ridden series ends for real this time.

The story takes place a few years after a tragedy has occurred in Rocky's life, and although he has long since retired from the sport that he loves, he hasn't lost that fighting heart. He now owns a little restaurant in South Philly where he spends his nights recalling his glory days in the ring to his awe-inspired customers.

This time around, Rocky truly is the centre of knowledge for the entire world. There are numerous relationship problems and obstacles in his life, and it seems the only way to fix them is to give an emotional ten minute monologue using one camera shot. Each time this epic dialogue finishes, it soon spells the end for that particular problem. As Rocky is the ultimate inspirational hero they are great speeches, but no one has all the answers. Not even Rocky.

The big question mark after the announcement of this film was just how a 60-year old Rocky can be taken seriously in the ring?

A computer-generated fight shown on a boxing television program, between Rocky in his prime versus the current undefeated champion, ends with Rocky being the clear victor. Controversy erupts and things soon get put into motion. Rocky's fighting heart kicks in and he yearns to get back into the ring, just to be in familiar and comfortable surroundings and back to the thing he loves. He wants small local fights, but of course, being Rocky, he is destined for something much greater.

Conversely, the current heavyweight champ, Mason "The Lion" Dixon (played by real life boxer Antonio Tarver), has had an easy career as the champ. He is definitely a great boxer, but because of skill-lacking opponents, he quickly destroys all his competition.

The ‘Michael Schumacher’ syndrome takes effect, Dixon is derided and unpopular and the sport of boxing as a whole is suffering despite Mason being a likeable character. Unlike most of Rocky's previous opponents, he is not inherently evil. Whereas in most previous films the audience was brought to hate his opponents, this time around he is simply Rocky's opponent. I think this works extremely well. Not all boxers are evil, so why should every opponent that Rocky faces be? Mason is a strong and sympathetic character, who just wants to prove himself against a worthwhile boxer in the ring, and Rocky just happens to be that boxer.

The fight itself is surprisingly very well done. You may think that a 60 year old taking on a 20-something year old in his prime would be a joke. But it is very well done. Neither fighter holds back and the boxing is, for once, realistic. Punches land on both actors’ faces. Credit to Stallone, for putting himself on the line at his age (Tarver actually broke his hand during filming after punching Stallone in the face).

And the result of the fight? Well I believe it's definitely satisfying.

Many times throughout the movie, there was a huge urge to jump out of my seat and cheer and chant for Rocky. Whether through the mandatory training montage or throughout the climactic bout, Rocky is a hero we've always wanted to root for. This is why we love Rocky movies and nothing has changed.

The acting throughout the movie is great by all the principal actors, and is great to see all these guys back on the screen, including Duke (Apollo's trainer), the overlooked character who has actually been in every Rocky movie. Stallone IS Rocky Balboa. Burt Young IS Paulie. Although both actors have aged somewhat since their last outing, they once again excel as they portray their most memorable characters, perhaps better than ever before.

Stallone has definitely improved his filmmaking skills with this movie. Whereas previously most shots were very static, and not that many cuts between them, Stallone uses a lot more angles and a lot more cuts in Rocky Balboa. In some sections, shaky cam is also used to good effect. One quirk that I found though was the use of slow motion as people walked off a scene. It is hardly noticeable, and apart from one instance, isn't very necessary.

Bill Conti is again credited for the musical score. Conti composed all the previous Rocky films (besides Rocky IV). However, you will be extremely hard pressed to find any newly composed music. All the classical themes are present, including the signature Rocky fanfare, ‘Gonna Fly Now’, and even ‘Take It Back’. The only "original" pieces of music that I noticed were the entrance theme for the boxers as they made their way to the ring.

As the opening music and titles scroll across the screen, a smile will most definitely spread across your face as you realise you are returning to a place and world full of inspiration. Rocky Balboa is most definitely a Rocky movie. It does not feel disjointed and works well with the rest of the series, despite a few forced attempts at creating links between the earlier films. A great swan song for a forever great and iconic film character.