It's been almost 17 years since we last saw Balboa in the very forgettable Rocky V. And it's been over 30 years since Rocky first challenged Apollo Creed. At the ripe old age of 59, Rocky Balboa steps back into the ring for one more fight.
It's amazing to revisit with the cinematic friends of my childhood and see what they've been up to. The most amazing thing about Rocky Balboa is that it could have functioned on it's own as a dramatic movie. Actually the boxing story-line is the only thing in the film which is not up to par.
The whole boxing sequence seems rushed. Filmed in High Definition, the fight appears to only be loosely choreographed to cut costs so they could film with HBO's cameras before a live crowd. The story of the fight that we've come to expect is almost completely missing. And it doesn't help that Rocky has nothing at stake. The training montage borders on laughable, nothing compared to the inspirational training sequences of the original.
But luckily the movie isn't about the fight. It's about Rocky Balboa, just like the name infers. Gone is the weak imitation of the character that we have grown use to in the sequels. We once again get to watch the real Rocky, a role of a lifetime that once propelled Stallone to a best actor nomination. The dialogue is not overtly corny or dumb. In fact it's impressive. Stallone should be proud not only for resurrecting the character, but writing a great script.
Rocky Balboa without the boxing return could have rivaled the original Academy Award nominated film. Instead it's only the best Rocky film since, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.
/Film Rating: 7.5 out of 10