Title: Rocky Balboa
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, Milo Ventimiglia, Antonio Tarver and Geraldine Hughes
Directed By: Sylvester Stallone
Produced By: Irwin Winkler, Robert Chartoff and Sylvester Stallone
Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Sequel and Sports
Release Date: December 20th 2006
MPAA Rating: PG for boxing violence and some language
Distributors: MGM Distribution Company

Rocky Balboa is the final chapter in the story of American icon, Rocky Balboa. Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) is back for one final fight brought on by a CGI fantasy fight put on by ESPN between a Rocky in his prime and current champ Mason “The Line” Dixon. Rocky, with the help of his son, Rocky Jr. ( Milo Ventimiglia), Paulie (Burt Young) and bartender Marie (Geraldine Hughes) and her son Steps (James Francis Kelly III) steps into the ring one final time for an exhibition bout between him and Mason (Antonio Tarver).

I want to begin by saying that this WILL NOT be a comparison to the other Rocky films as I haven't seen a Rocky movie since before Rocky IV was in the theater. I consider myself to be a casual Rocky fan at best. That being said, prepare yourself for a bit of praise for the film. This is a terrific ending to a character that has been a part of pop culture for just over 30 years. It has heart, intensity, ups, downs, triumphs and loss. This final chapter envelopes everything that the Rocky series stands for without being cheesy in the least. I only have one issue with this film and that is the music during the fight. It's overpowering and way over the top. Otherwise this film is pretty damn close to perfect for what it is. A really good movie that may keep you from thinking about the "Eye of the Tiger" when you think of Rocky.

Casting? Well, most of the regulars are back. Those that haven't died, that is. Stallone plays a Rocky that has lost most of what is good in his life and is walking a fine line between living in the past and honoring it. He has two Oscar worthy (let the bashing begin!) monologues that show that even though he talks funny, he has one hell of a heart. In my opinion, if Will Smith can get nominated for The Pursuit of Happyness, then Stallone should get a nod for those monologues. Burt Young is just as full of piss and vinegar as he has always been, if not more so. You can tell he loves Rocko but at one point he has had enough of him living in the past. Good memories for Rocky but not for Paulie and he calls him on it. Side note: check out the painting he is working on in the meat packing plant. Milo is neither here nor there for me in this. I don't even like him in Heroes all that much but he performs adequately enough in Rocky Balboa. He is trying to get out from under his father's shadow but Milo just lacks oomph against Stallone. One thing he does have going for him is that he actually looks like Stallone. He even has that weird lip thing that Stallone does. A new character, Marie (actress Geraldine Hughes), is introduced for a female opinion, I guess. At times it seems she is going to be a love interest but then it is stated flat out that that's not gonna happen. So I'm not really sure what she is there for. Her performance/character doesn't take anything away from the movie, just seems a little superfluous. Spoiler Shmoiler, Adrian's dead. If you didn't know that then you haven't read anything about this movie. I chose to wait until the end to say anything about Antonio Tarver as there isn't much character development here. He is just the young champ that Rocky is going to fight. That's it.

Production values? Top notch. The fight is shot as if it were an HBO sporting event special which adds a bit of realism to it. Reality and HBO together? Let's face how many of us actually go to a boxing event? I bet that if you do watch boxing it's sitting at home on HBO. So yes, it's more real than an HBO special.

All in all I enjoyed this movie. I may not buy it but I will surely rent it on DVD. Even if you have never seen a Rocky film in your life, you may enjoy this. (Wives and girlfriends – I'm talking to you. If the guys took you to see The Holiday, the least you can do is see Rocky Balboa). At the very least the end credits are entertaining if not a bit strange. There's even a cameo by Mike Tyson! Or, wait for the DVD and have a Rocky marathon, but be sure to skip Rocky V. Trust me.

Until Uwe Boll can beat Rocky,
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Mitch E.
mitchemerson@hotmail.com