Rocky Balboa

Rocky Balboa is a dementedly simple but pleasantly honest and modest little film about a washed-up boxer who still has something to say, and not just with his fists. The film’s prelude is a bit drawn out and, conversely, the climax is rushed, but *nostalgia* has its indisputable weight of likability, which irons out a lot of the wrinkles. Sly Stallone managed to do the same thing that his hero did – he didn’t make a great comeback, but he acquitted himself with dignity. (02/02/2007)

Sly returned to the character of Rocky after sixteen years, thirty years after filming the first movie. Right from the beginning, it completely captivated me, and I realized how beautiful the story of Rocky and Adrian is. It's a beautiful romance, utterly ordinary, yet it shows the wonderful harmony between a man and a woman. They weren't a perfect Hollywood couple, but they were a perfect film couple. They argued, but they never stopped loving each other. This series is wonderful for that alone. With the sixth film, Sly gave it the right, beautiful, and incredibly poignant ending. The giant returned and showed that what he created had meaning. And it still does. I was incredibly moved by the sixth film. Sly has made a wonderful tribute and a full-fledged sequel at the same time. That's all there is to say about it. (03/19/2014)

A disheveled and grinning Sylvester Stallone wanders around Philadelphia, giving advice to everyone around him while being unsure of himself. I would take that as a light prologue to the appealing boxing finish with enthusiasm, but when he talks, advises, and looks sad for two-thirds of the movie, it becomes boring. It's not unwatchable, but still a bit unnecessary because as soon as Rocky returns to training, runs up the stairs and enters the arena, adrenaline, tension, and cheering are also there. The fight against Dixon is incredibly well shot, but it really bothers me that the champion's actor is skinny and lacks the typical muscularity of a boxer, so I can't maintain a serious face when talking about "heavyweight". On the other hand, I can forgive many things without words because I really wanted Stallone to succeed and thanked him for not letting the series end in miserable waters in his old age. (10/19/2007)

He got hit and got to his feet. He got another one and got up again. And again. And again. It may seem like a simple idea to some, and it is simple, but it is also important. Sylvester Stallone returned to old familiar ground with Rocky in the previous installment, in which he also had trouble with his son and also had to fight again... But neither the audience nor he himself were satisfied with the film, and so after sixteen years a remake was made. Luckily. It is a more than worthy conclusion to the whole saga, which is not drowning in nostalgia, melancholy or tears, and although it is sad, it is also full of hope. Four and a half. (01/11/2016)

A legend like Rocky Balboa could hardly have asked for a better retirement. More than ever, Stallone gave me the impression that he literally connected with Rocky, imprinting him with heart and soul, and it shows not only in his great performance, but especially in his sensitive and sincere direction. The film is a beautiful depiction of perseverance, indomitable desire, and the power of friendship, and though the story takes a predictable and well-trodden path, it still manages to strap us firmly into our seats and knock us off our feet at the end. I enjoyed it, plus I definitely figured out who Stallone's most famous and best movie character is: the Italian Stallion Rocky Balboa. 4.5* (10/03/2012)