Akshay Shah experiences "ROCKY BALBOA" (2006)

Akshay Shah experiences “ROCKY BALBOA”(2006)

The year was 1976 and my Dad had just finished his studies in Victoria University when he first saw the original Sylvester Stallone classic ROCKY in cinemas, just over 30 years later, I saw the final instalment in what can only be called one of the greatest and most iconic characters in movie history-ROCKY BALBOA, funnily enough this time with my Dad. Given the last few ROCKY movies (Parts 4 and 5) were below the mark, and had deviated from the crux of the original into former shadows of the original two instalments one seriously wondered what Sylvester Stallone was going to deliver at 60, and whether the movie would salvage a series which had lost its “zing” 17 years ago….does ROCKY BALBOA live upto expectations? Yes, hell yes! And for a fan of the ROCKY series it proves to to be the ultimate viewing experience.



Written and directed by Sylvester Stallone the movie takes place in present time. Rocky(played by Stallone, and aged to perfection) now runs a restaurant in his local neighbourhood. His wife has passed away, and his only friend is his brother-in-law Paulie(Burt Young in a Award Worthy performance). His son Rocky Jnr(played by Milo Ventimiglia and not Stallones own son Sage as in the previous film) has become estranged from him as he desprately tries to get away from his father shadow and make something on “his own”. In a sense, the former two time heavyweight champion has become a washout of sorts and lives a rundown life back to his original roots where he first started. Rocky has lost everything that he had ever gained throughout the years and then some. Then a computer fight on TV pits Rocky against the current heavy weight champion Mason “The Line” Dixon(Antonio Tarver) and as fate would have it-Rocky Balboa wins. The computer fight ignites something inside Rocky, that old passion…flair..inspiration…and he wants to fight again (“theres still something stuff in the basement” he tells Paulie) and its evident that something has been brimming up inside Rocky and there is one final punch left in him still. He gets his license, and a “exhibition” fight is organised where Rocky will be pitted against Mason (Rocky makes it quiet clear “he isn’t interested in getting all mangled and embarrassed”). This causes a further rift between him and his son, but a friend in the form of a young girl he once dropped to school who he runs into at a local bar-Marie(Geraldine Hughes) becomes his pillar of strength and support; “Do what you got to do Rocky….fighters fight” she tells him.

From there on begins what every single Rocky fan out there is familiar with, and loves to absolute bits, the training, the buildup, the momentum and ultimately the final fight-and the movie delivers in supreme amounts leaving the viewer completely satisfied.




As a director, it is evident from the very start that Sylvest Stallone is NOT interested in just making another sequel to the ROCKY series for a quick buck, if anything this is his tribute to the series and the character that made him a superstar and his way of saying a final and perfect “goodbye” and Stallone the director does not disappoint one bit. With ROCKY, Stallone created what can easily be called the “ultimate underdog” tale with one of the most lovable characters in movie history. Simple hearted, simple dreams, common everyday guy who every likes instantly and slowly starts to love ultimately winning and becoming triumphant at the one thing he does-in this case Boxing. The formula may have run thin in later movies as the character development had stopped however the whole “feel good” affect of the ROCKY movies was alive in each and every ROCKY film, though not on the same level as the original two and now Part 6. To say ROCKY BALBOA is “just a boxing movie” would be a gross mistake-the movie is much much more. Stallone takes the character of Rocky, and shows us what life is like for him after his fame is over, after the spotlight is off him, and after his beloved Adrian has passed away-and frankly it isn’t a pretty picture though he still survives. If he managed to completely connect the viewer to ROCKY in Part 1, he does it again to absolute perfection in ROCKY BALBOA and along the way pays a perfect tribute to the series. No doubt a sense of nostalgia runs through ROCKY BALBOA and the viewing experience for a fan will be totally different to someone who has never seen a ROCKY movie, and folks, I’m a die-hard fan till the day I die.




The story has been structured into three different parts. The first part deals with Rockys loneliness as he reconnects through bits and pieces of his past, and in many cases is still living in the case. These provide some of the most touching, mesmerising and heart rending moments of the movie. The scenes shared between Rocky and Paulie are simply outstanding, and the scene where Paulie tells Rocky “it wasn’t that great for me” to which a emotionally hurt Rocky replies “It was for me” is just outstanding from a writing, acting and execution point of view. Infact, the entire first act of the movie is scattered with such moments which dwelve right into the psyche of Rockys character and portrays to the viewer where Rocky is at in his life and is way of thinking. The second act is a culmination of events which eventually lead the way to Rocky entering the fight scene. These are fantastic too, and offcourse the highlight of this act is without a doubt the entire training footage which is no doubt become one of the most enjoyable parts of a ROCKY movie. Bill Contis classic background score pounds as Rocky once again prepares for some “hurtin bombs” by lifting weights, lifting chains, but whats even more of a masterstroke is Rocky punching the meat packs like the original Rocky movie, and running through the streets of Philadelphia upthe steps much like the first, only its 30 years later. Rarely in Hollywood movies do I find much of a audience reaction over here,infact the last movie that had any reaction of this kind was CASINO ROYALE in parts, however just as the background score came on, the entire cinema erupted into claps, cheers and whistles as quiet frankly..”this was it”..the moment(apart from the final fight offcourse) they had paid $14.50 to watch this and the experience was superlative to say the least.




The final act in the movie is the fight scenes, and this again emphasizes that ROCKY BALBOA is a HUMAN story about a washed out boxer than a straight story about boxing and winning. The fight sequence at the end too is simply outstanding. The background score, with montage footage of past Rocky films in black and white as well as slow motion no doubt acts as a treat for lovers of the series and is a perfect touch to what can be called the ultimate fight scene. Helping Stallone in his visual presentation is cinematographer J. Clark Mathis does some wonderful photography for some of the film's exterior settings while mixing black-and-white and color for a bit of the film's boxing sequence. Editor Sean Albertson does some nice editing in the boxing sequences that's very stylized while doing some nice cutting in bringing footage of the old Rocky movies to the new one to give the sense of emotion that Rocky is feeling. The presentation of the fight scene makes the viewer feel like they are about to watch a “REAL” fight scene complete with the “coverage” feel and commentary which only adds to the viewing experience. And yes, once the punches start flying, like the original, the viewer is completely at the edge of their seat so involved in the fight that they zone out completely from everything around them, and without even knowing you’re chanting in your heart “ROCKY ROCKY ROCKY ROCY ROCKY”!



The outcome of the fight I won’t reveal but lets just say its ends the series perfectly and does full justice to what can only be called one of the greatest underdog stories in movie history.

This is with a doubt Sylvester Stallones best performance to date since his original ROCKY, and one that he doesn’t portray..but LIVES from start to finish. The manner in which Stallone makes the viewer sympathise with the character of Rocky and make us really “feel” for him without making us feel pity on him is simply outstanding. Stallone is looking better here than any other movie he has recently, and what would sound ludicrous with other actors( a 60 yearold actor stepping into the ring) Stallone enacts with complete and utter conviction which in turn makes it totally believable for the viewer. More than that, it’s the charm, the humour, the honesty of Rockys character, his silly jokes, his innocence and his pain that Stallone portrays to absolute perfection. The scene where he breaks down at Paulies work is simply heartbreaking, and one of the most effective emotional scenes I have seen in recent times(yes I shed a tear). I have always believed that Stallone is at his best playing the “underdog” be it the ROCKY films or the HUGELY underrated COPLAND and ROCKY BALBOA cements that fact. In a sense, this also throws a parallel to Stallones character as an actor who too has washed out, and Rocky in a sense is Stallones attempt at bringing back a superstar who is supremely talented, yet one who was regulated to meaningless action films for the large part of his career. Since 2000 Stallone has given a strong of flops with films like GET CARTER, DRIVEN, DETOX etc, there was one very superb cameo in SHADE as a ageing poker player, but nothing that is truly deserving of the mans stature until ROCKY BALBOA. And yes Mr.Stallone..you’ve proven your point. And though Stallone may not deliver a performance like this again for the rest of his career, there is NO DOUBTS at all in my mind that he still “has it”.




If there is one other actor who stands out here its Burt Young, slipping into his character with such knowing in a winning performance. Burt brings so much to the character of Paulie with his facial expressions, eye movements and body language its simply amazing. Like Rockys character, it also shows the regrets and sorrows of Paulies character. The relationship between Rocky and Paulie has always been a shaky one. Despite their countless arguments, its clear that Paulie cares about Rocky a lot and vice versa, and I guess this movie is a ultimate tribute to that, specially in the first scenes where Young leaves a unforgettable impression. Also the scene just before the climax where Paulie tells Rocky “get it all out of you OK” leaves its mark.

The array of supporting characters in the movie are simply great in their parts. Masin “The Line” Dixon delivers a special mention. He isn’t just a “villan”here for the sake of showing Rocky as the “hero”-but he is a positive character, but with shades of grey. Despite being numero uno all he wants is “respect” which he isn’t getting. Those expecting a Dolph Lungdren or Mr.T type villan will be disappointed, as Mason proves to be a much more “real” character.

Pedro Lovell reprises his role as Spider and is effective, Tony Burton(who appeared as Apollo Creeds trainer in previous movies) gets one of the best punch lines in the movie with his “hurtin bombs” just before the training footage. Milo Ventimiligia does a wonderful job at bringing depth to the character of Rockys son in the movie, something Stallones real son Sage couldn’t do in Part 5. Geraldine Hughes is excellent as Marie with her compassionate performance while being the supporting factor for Rocky and not being the love interest that's often done traditionally.
The film's cast is wonderful with cameos from the likes of boxing critic Bert Sugar, Lou DiBella, Mike Tyson, Jim Lampley, Larry Merchant, Max Kellerman, and you guessed it... Frank Stallone as a dinner patron. A.j Benza leaves his mark as the slimy L.C.

In summary, ROCKY BALBOA isn’t the classic that the first movie was, however in my view it isn’t far from it, and without a doubt it’s the second best movie in the series after Part 1. An uplifting and emotional movie with the “feel good” factor “upped” by 200% ROCKY BALBOA leaves a lasting impression, and for fans of the series this is simply one of the best gifts one can receive. Mr Stallone-THANK YOU and folks…”it ain’t over till it’s over”. Amen to that!

9.0/10.0

A.Shah