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PLOT: Mopey old Rocky, still mourning the death of Adrian in 2002, returns to the ring one last time to renew his vitality and restore his sense of self-worth.
Rocky, one of Hollywood's iconic characters, finally gets to retire with dignity.
Rocky Balboa -- the eponymous title for what is Rocky VI -- also restores a lot of actor-writer-director Sylvester Stallone's lost credibility. That is because this is a good movie: Sentimental, flawed perhaps, yet enormously satisfying, especially for longtime Rocky fans.
This is exactly how Rocky should bow out, both as a man and as a movie franchise. The mediocre Rocky V (1990) would have been a lousy way to remember the meat-smacking pug who took us triumphantly up the 72 steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Stallone created the original Rocky (1976) as a vehicle for himself to play. Teamed with director John Avildsen, Stallone carved out a unique star niche.
Rocky, the movie and the fictional character, became embedded in American culture as an inspirational ode for hard-working underdogs. In the ring, he lost his fight with Apollo Creed. But, in life, he won his self-respect and the enduring love of Adrian. We admired him for it.
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This last Rocky film (he says) was written and directed by Stallone, now 60. Assume Rocky is the same age.
Our hero is a big mope. On the anniversary of Adrian's death, Rocky visits her grave and then their old haunts, picturing her in their early romance and in glory days. Talia Shire appears ghost-like in the many washed-out clips from earlier Rocky movies; so does Burgess Meredith. Rocky's theme music and fave songs are also recycled.
Because he is faithful, if not that bright, Rocky still hangs out with Paulie (Burt Young is back with just as much bombast as ever). Paulie hates reminiscing. Rocky indulges, swimming in the tears of his maudlin sentimentality. But it plays as authentic. We feel for the lovable lug.
The story has two threads. Rocky again feels alienated from his son (this time played by Milo Ventimiglia of Heroes and Gilmore Girls), who feels shame that people remember his father's past deeds.
Rocky himself feels defeated by life as he trots out tired stories and poses for hokum photographs with diners at his Philly restaurant, Adrian's.
Tying the threads together is a new opportunity to return to the ring -- inspired by real-life George Foreman -- in an exhibition bout.
Rocky will fight the reigning world champion heavyweight (played with gusto by real-life, three-time, former light heavyweight champ Antonio Tarver, who also has the acting chops).
Plus there is a new romantic interest (Geraldine Hughes), the same character who, as Little Marie, told Rocky, "Screw you, creep," when he gave her dating advice in the original movie. This is a nice touch.
The point of it all is that Rocky must recover his self-worth.
He may have feet of cement, jaw of rock and skull of steel, but he has lost his way emotionally. Does he still have the heart of a lion?
BOTTOM LINE: It is impossible to catch lightning twice in the same boxing gloves, so Rocky Balboa is not the equal of the original classic. But it has the necessary class to send Rocky into that good night with his dignity restored.
(This film is rated PG)
Kirkland ranks The Rockys
The Rocky series is complete. Our personal rankings, in order of quality:
1. Rocky (1976)
An American classic and a truly inspirational movie. Sylvester Stallone created the quintessential underdog's story of an Everyman who made his own breaks. And his triumph was not about winning. It was about work effort and personal dignity.
2. Rocky Balboa (2006)
In an unlikely twist, Stallone refreshes the series by looking back with sentimentality. He also recaptures the essence of the character's personal journey to redemption.
3. Rocky II (1979)
A sequel that didn't suck. There was no shame in Palookaville when Rocky actually triumphed in the ring, although that kicked off the Rocky decline.
4. Rocky V (1990)
This movie, which follows the character back to his Philly ghetto, failed. But at least Stallone started looking for what originally made magic. He finally found it again in the new movie.
5. Rocky IV (1985)
Lousy cinema and flag-waving hokum. At least the Dolph Lundgren fight looked real.
6. Rocky III (1982)
Oh, please! The "Eye of the Tiger" crap and Mr. T as Clubber Lang? Still creepy, still the worst in the series, still Rocky's shame.