Rocky Balboa is a Hit
The latest Syvester Stallone movie is well worth a visit and revisit.
Before you go see the latest Rocky movie, Rocky Balboa, go rent the original Rocky to truly appreciate the cultural phenomenon of Rocky.
Here are the proper directions for thoroughly enjoying the latest Rocky movie, Rocky Balboa, starring Sylvester Stallone.
Go to your local video store and rent the very first Rocky movie from 1976. To see the current incarnation of Rocky, you need at least to review where Sylvester Stallone got his start 30 years ago. This film won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1976 and has had five additions: Rocky II to V, and now (perhaps) the last film in the series, Rocky Balboa.
If you are a hard-core Stallone freak, you may go rent Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, and Rocky V, but it is not necessary. The new film only briefly flashes back to these films, and when it does refer to these subsequent films it is only in the fight scenes.
Rocky Balboa centers very poignantly on his relationship with his dead wife, Adrian. Rocky visits her grave, runs a restaurant named Adrian's, does all the food shopping for the restaurant, has a somewhat estranged relationship with his son, and finds an old friend to take in as well as her mixed-race son. Rocky is, as always, the over-concussed boxer with a heart of gold ready for some more head banging.
By coupling the first Rocky with Rocky Balboa the best part of the experience is being able to see the 30-year metamorphosis that takes place in the talent of Sylvester Stallone as an actor, director, and human being.
In the 30-year-old movie Rocky Stallone is a greenhorn, a newbie, though some might say he was young and had a certain raw talent. In Rocky Balboa our aged actor is the same character of Rocky, but he is aged and better Rocky. Stallone's acting is also better and the film is well-directed and written by Stallone himself. Yes, it is a stretch of the imagination that the 60-year old Rocky is going to even hold his own for one round with his 20-year-old opponent.
The story of any Rocky film is almost negligible. Here it is: Rocky overcomes overwhelming odds to kick ass, maintain dignity, and help others. Isn't that what we all want from life?
Rocky Balboa stars Sylester Stallone, Burt Young, Milo Ventimiglia, Geraldine Hughes, James Francis Kelly III, and Talia Shire.
Stick around for the closing credits. There is a charming sequence of people doing the famous Rocky dance at the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art proving that Rocky is more than just a movie, it is a cultural phenomena.
