Rocky Balboa

By Jason Tozer            

Rocky Balboa proves  the Italian Stallion can go the distance. He may have a few sketchy rounds (and films) but when the final bell rings Rocky can hold his head up proud.

After a computer simulated fight has Rocky defeating the current heavyweight champion, Mason Dixon (Antonio Tarver), the Italian Stallion decides to come out of retirement.

When the idea of an exhibition fight against Dixon is pitched, Rocky decides to get in the ring – not for ego, not for money, not for the United States – but to go the distance just one last time.

The absurdity of a 50-year-old retired boxer taking on a heavyweight champion in the peak of his career is obvious.

However, like the first film – which was nominated for 10 Oscars and won three including Best Picture – this instalment shines outside the ring.

Rocky is dealing with loneliness in the wake of his wife's death and his distant relationship with his son. The emotional performances of both Stallone as Rocky and Burt Young as Paulie really drive this instalment.

Antonio Tarver as Mason Dixon, while not getting the proper screen time to fully develop his character, adds dramatic weight to the themes of self-respect and ‘going the distance'. 

For fans of the series the montage, classic musical score and lovable humour are all there, but Stallone has achieved what he attempted to do with Rocky V, which is take the series back to its simplistic roots.

This time rather than merely move the story back to the slums of Philadelphia, he's moved the series back to its thematic and emotional roots as well.

Sure it may be a little far fetched and it's no knockout punch, but Rocky Balboa truly proves “It ain't over ‘til it's over” and that Rocky can go the distance in the ring and as a cinematic series.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This review first appeared in the Queanbeyan Age