The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
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Critics Consensus: Implausible but entertaining and poignant, Rocky Balboa finds the champ in fighting form for the first time in years.
Critic Consensus: Implausible but entertaining and poignant, Rocky Balboa finds the champ in fighting form for the first time in years.
All Critics (179) | Top Critics (43) | Fresh (137) | Rotten (42) | DVD (13)
I know, I know, you're thinking, oh please, not Rocky again. I was thinking that too.
The ol' lug can't be blamed for wanting one last victory lap, but if you've got nothing to offer except benign nostalgia, just let the gloves stay on the glory-days shelf.
The unfortunate effect is that of an invisible angel of death hooking Rocky's mouth with a fishing line and implacably reeling him in.
Even goodwill can't make this look like anything more than a glorified TV special. Surely it's time for the audience to throw in the towel?
When asked why he would step back into the ring, even though he's out of shape and in his late 50s, the Italian Stallion mumbles something about "the stuff... inside," which sums up the thin justification for Rocky Balboa.
What gives Rocky Balboa its unexpected pathos is the titanic humility of Stallone's performance, the earnestness with which he plays a man knocked down (but not out) by the ravages of time.
The thing about Rocky Balboa is that it had no business being as good as it was.
The problems facing Rocky are the same as those that Sylvestor Stallone must deal with: a once great career, a slide into obscurity and a return to the scene of your greatest achievement to relight a flame. That Stallone succeeds is down to a script.
...a strong capper to an admittedly uneven series...
A compelling and emotionally touching film that reminds of the first two Rocky movies, Rocky Balboa is an excellent finale which shows just how good an actor Sylvester Stallone is when given the right material.
You either buy into this premise or you don't and I'm sorry to say I found Rocky utterly preposterous.
Stallone still has what it takes to make Rocky the peoples champ, and while the film is by no means a knockout, it will certainly be right there 'til the final round.
After so many years and awful sequels, it is a wonderful surprise to see that this sixth Rocky movie is almost on par with the original one in terms of quality, since Stallone seems to have finally understood that what made that film so memorable was the human drama, not the punches.
Super Reviewer
It wins largely due to nostalgia, but Rocky Balboa delivers almost the same amount of heart that the first film is known for, along with another amiable performance from Stallone.
The final film of the series is one of the strongest in the entire franchise. Having much better dialogue, a much more educated story, and family bonds that have never been stronger. "Rocky Balboa" focusses on having so much stored up inside yourself through the years and having the strength and courage to let it all out. There is no suspense as to who will win, because that is not needed. We see Rocky and his son bond, we receive final lessons from Paulie, and by the end of the film you feel very relieved, and the film finished on a perfect note. The series is closed and I couldn't be happier.
Stallone goes the distance in the final installment of this underdog saga. Rocky Balboa is simple, plain, boxing entertainment and drama with modern-day fight experiences that fully surpasses its past films (except 1 & 2). The film is a graceful presentation of past, present and future in the realms of boxing and life and does enough to save the franchise until the final bell. 4.5/5
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