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Spilt popcorn - Rocky delivers KO
– By CPL Mike McSweeney
Edition 1163, April 05, 2007
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| Eye of the Tiger: Rocky Balboa returns as the determined underdog in this inspirational tale of an ageing boxer who once again tastes victory. |
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Rocky Balboa
Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, Milo Ventimiglia, Antonia Tarver, Geraldine Hughes
4/5 stars
SYLVESTER Stallone has returned to his roots with the sixth instalment in the Rocky franchise, Rocky Balboa.
There are deep links between the Italian Stallion and Stallone. Both are taking a risk for a shot at their former glory, despite the Chicken Littles of the world, and both enjoy an element of success.
In the film, the former boxing champion is having a hard time getting over the loss of Adrian, the love of his life. His son (Ventimiglia) wants little to do with him and he spends most of his time telling old boxing stories to guests at his restaurant.
Meanwhile, current heavyweight champion Mason “The Line” Dixon (Tarver) is searching for a worthy rival.
The media, bless their cotton socks, set up a computer animated fight between Dixon and Rocky when the former champ was in his prime. The animated fight causes a sensation and Balboa sees it as an opportunity to explore “something still inside” him.
Rocky Balboa reflects heavily on the original Academy Award-winning film, with original music and familiar scenes (egg drinking, carcass hitting and stair running) but it is by no means a repetition.
Devoted fans and newcomers alike will enjoy Stallone’s writing, directing and acting effort in this modern narrative of the classic underdog. Just as Rocky was a timely tale of struggle and success in 1976, Rocky Balboa is similarly valid in today’s post 9/11 age.
Balboa tells his son that life isn’t about how hard you can hit, “it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward”.
What little action there is departs from the predictable Rocky/Rambo fight scenes, where Stallone’s character takes a pounding before victoriously turning the tide.
The end fight is a little more realistic, even though Stallone himself admits it is unlikely a 60-year-old would re-enter the ring. The aged entertainer has clearly worked hard to return to form, both artistically and physically. Rocky Balboa is a nostalgic salute to a beloved character that will win the hearts of audiences once again. |
