Rocky Balboa (2006)

 

Now this is how you end a beloved series, especially after the much maligned (and let's face it: quite disappointing) 'Rocky V'. It took Stallone several years and a few hiccups to get it done, but you can tell this was a film made with passion and not just because they could. This also makes it probably the second best in the entire series as far as the realistic drama goes. 

Heck, it'so so close in look, tone and feel to the original, it's almost poetry. Nothing wrong with the more comic book shenanigans of 3 or 4, but at its core, Rocky has always been about the character and this is on superb display here.

Mirroring real life, this is several years after the time that Rocky Balboa had any massive succes. He is now the owner of a small restaurant and he is still reeling from the loss of his wife Adrian to cancer. Their son doesn't come around a lot, as people around Philadelphia still adore Rocky and it is quite a big shadow to move under from. 

After a sports channel compares Rocky to current heavyweight champion Mason Dixon (then real life champ Antonio Tarver), Rocky comes out on top. This doesn't sit well with Dixon and his managers see an opportunity to organize an exhibition bout with Rocky. But the latter does need to apply for a new licence, as he is now in his 50s. After some soul searching, Rocky agrees to the bout, as he wants to get the last vestiges of the beast inside of him out of his system, so he can lay it all to rest. 

The idea might seem a bit far-fetched, but in fact, there are several speeches made by Stallone during this film that are surprisingly emotional and reflect what the man himself really was going through at that time. Stallone was almost disappearing from view after riding the high of the 80s, as during the 90s, things didn't go that well for him anymore. So he had to fight (so to speak) to even get this one (and 'John Rambo') made. Heck, the speech he delivers to the boxing commission ànd the one to his son hit the mark full on. Moreover, the return to what the character originally was during the first film is heartwarming and expertly done. There's a sadness and melancholy prevalent throughout and yet you gèt why Rocky wants this very last bout, so he can truly retire. 

This was in fact meant to completely end the series and you can tell. Sure, Stallone came back as the character for 'Creed', but there he is a supporting character. This is all about how Rocky is just finding peace. There's not a lot of action. Yes, there's the fight at the end, which might rank as one of the best (it certainly is the most realistic by far) and a training montage, but that's it. Everything else is character building and it hits you right in the feels. 

Oh, and Bill Conti's 'Gonna Fly Now' is back for one glorious run and chances are this will give you goosebumps all over.

No one expected this one to be as good as it is, but gosh darnit, this is a finely crafted film, even if you don't like the franchise or Stallone. Does it help if you are familiar with the series? Yes, especially the first two, but don't let that stop you from watching this excellent drama.