I was 8 years old when the original Rocky was released. The story of a no-name boxer getting a shot at the title was inspirational and exciting. Back then, before home video, movies made the rounds from the local theater to the local drive-in and back again before they wound up on cable or network television. I managed to rack up quite a few viewings of Rocky from 1976 to 1979, when Rocky II was released. As more Rocky films came out, the more cartoonish they became. (In 1985, Rocky fought Communism for crying out loud.) But that original 1976 film, which was as much a love story as it was a boxing movie, is still a classic.
1990’s Rocky V, the once thought-to-be final movie in the series, managed to reduce the character of Rocky Balboa, as well as the series, down to straight-to-video quality. Before that movie came out, I remember hearing people saying that Rocky was too old to be fighting. So imagine my surprise last year when I heard about plans for a sixth Rocky movie. Unlike Rocky V, he would be getting back into the ring.
2006’s Rocky Balboa finds the title character (Sylvester Stallone) alone. His beloved wife, Adrian, has died. Every year, on the anniversary of her death, Rocky takes his brother-in-law, Paulie (Burt Young), on a tour of the sites around Philadelphia that meant a lot to Rocky and Adrian: the pet store where Adrian used to work, the steps of Rocky’s old apartment, and the ice rink where they had their first date. Paulie pleads with Rocky to get out of the past and start living in the present. Rocky seems to be stuck in neutral until ESPN broadcasts a computer simulation of a boxing match between former champion Balboa and current champ, Mason “The Line” Dixon (Antonio Carver). Balboa comes out the winner.
Dixon’s manager, L. C. (A.J. Benza), comes up with the idea that Balboa and Dixon should have an exhibition bout to settle the scenario for real. Dixon is criticized by fans and the media because, although he is undefeated and the undisputed champion, he hasn’t fought anyone of any substance. L. C. sees this bout as the perfect opportunity to win the public over in Dixon’s favor. Rocky sees it as an opportunity to see what he’s got “left in the basement.”
Admittedly, the storyline of Rocky Balboa is contrived. It wouldn’t be much of a movie if Rocky didn’t get back in the ring one last time. (Rocky V proved that.) Stallone, as director and writer, takes us on a nostalgia trip as Rocky mopes around the old neighborhood. He sees that he needs to box again to shake off his demons and, wouldn’t you know it, the perfect opportunity arises at just the right time. It wouldn’t be a Rocky movie if it happened any other way. So, yes, Rocky Balboa reeks of a blatant attempt to milk the audience for one last go-round. But, honestly, I wanted to see Rocky come back for one more shot at glory. I wanted it to be done right. Sure enough, Rocky Balboa is as close to right as you’re going to get.
My only problem with Rocky Balboa is that Mason Dixon isn’t much of an opponent. Rocky’s not really fighting him as much as he’s fighting his past. The movie doesn’t fire up the audience enough to make us want Rocky to get back into that ring any more than we did when we walked into the theater. Nothing rides on the outcome other than his self-respect. That’s hard to translate into the rousing boxing matches that have capped off most of the Rocky movies.
Still, as a tribute to the original film and, to a lesser extent. its first sequel, Rocky Balboa works. As cheesy as his journey has been over the last 30 years, the character of Rocky Balboa manages to gain back some semblance of respect in this movie. That’s all I really wanted from it and it delivered.
3.5 out of 5.0 stars
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