Rocky Balboa Movie Review.

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

WARNING....... Before you continue to read this post.

SPOILER! I AM GIVING AWAY SOME OF THE MOVIE!!



I Saw Rocky Balboa last night here in New York City, and let me first say I am a Balboa fan for years!!! But lets put that aside just for the review. The movie is a little sluggish and so is Rocky, He looks a bit ridiculous with these huge and heavy boots through out the movie which it is obvious why he has them on, (His lack of hieght.) His face at times has so much makeup on it he looks like burt reynolds, or Michale Jackson, along with his eye brows penciled in dark black, and his chubby face was odd to see on a guy who has always been in great shape with a really chiselded face, His body durring the fight is flabby and shakes around, and not to mention how awkward he looks falling down, and bouncing off the ropes. Could he not make the weight anymore??? Is he too old to drop the weight?? Or was he heavier in this movie just to look true to age???

Hey, Paulie steels the show with his funny dialogue!!!!

Sound track is very boaring, same old music, and when he enters the ring Rocky's ring music is really a bad choice. A few characters have no business in this movie, like steps, and the girl who approched Rocky in the bar with her nasty attitude, NO BUSINESS IN THE MOVIE!

Oh and Duke (Rocky and apollo's trainer) looks so old in this movie I was surprised to see that he could make it.

The dog...bad choice!

Oh and the use of High-Def ultra clear filming cameras really does show his age and all the horrible make-up he has caked on in some sceens.

I am so used to seeing a PPV Boxing event on TV, that on the big screen it kinda looks weird??? Fight seen looks great, with all the camera tricks and edits!

Hey sorry for the bad review, but its no better than the last one.

[homerx]

I've always been a stallone fan so I think ill go see it.
But stallone is getting old and I don't think he should return to these movies. From what I've read rambo IV is also in the works. He needs to play roles that suit his age not that of a 20 year old.


BTW next time use a few spoiler tags.

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

Sorry, I am new and don't exactly know where they are? Please help me insert them? Or is my new title enough?

[Dave Mack]

:)

We are seeing this at a screening tomorrow nite.

[hikura3]

the trailer does not look too bad though.

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

Just lazy, I should have done spell check, sorry!

The trailer looks great! But the training that they show in the trailer is about as long as the movie, O.K the training in the movie is about a minute more. By the way the trailer is edited, its not the way it is in the movie. Everything is rushed, they try to cover all the bases in this movie with not enought time. I have read other posts on this movie and people realy love this movie, I think I am the only one who is really being real about the review. Not a well done movie, sorry! Too old, too much info with not a enough time, and Maxon Dixion has no substance, like the other guys he fought. Just someone to put in front of Rocky. :o :o :o

It really disappoints me to write this review cause I am 37 yrs old and grew up watching his movies and loving them all except number 5. And I wish this one would have ended the saga with a great movie... but it wasn't.

Also to see how old he looks with his shirt off, and how everything went south, like Hulk Hogan is starting to look like who I am pretty sure is only 54 years old.
Really Makes reality set in that our heros are getting older.

[hikura3]

how many ring fight/fight scenes are there? and how long each fight scene?

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

Rocky trains for the fight for a very short time in the movie, shorter than I expected (which is always my favorite part) and then goes right into a very loud, bright, and colorfull and very realistic HBO-like fight with Tarver. He looks a bit out of place first and takes time to get used to, cause if you every saw a PPV HBO or Show Time fight, it looks like the fighters let Rocky get into the ring and have a sparing fight with Tarver. The fight goes on for a while and looks so real, just like if your watching a PPV HBO fight on TV. But they add music, and there are some really cool editing and camera tricks and flashbacks! best part of the movie! :cool: :cool: :cool:

But then again the High-Def cameras are too clear and you see too much detail on rocky, they should have made it a bit film like or grainy. Understand?

[adpayne]

Could he not make the weight anymore??? Is he too old to drop the weight?? Or was he heavier in this movie just to look true to age???


Surprised to hear that. From what I saw in the trailer, and recent photos of Stalone, he looked in better shape than the first Rocky film. Even though he is 60, he's still very involved with fitness. Time does take it's toll but the last I saw of him, he still had defined abs, and a very low bodyfat.

As someone who works out 5-6 days a week, I know the effort it takes to get stronger, and stay in shape. It doesn't get easier as we age, but it's nice being mistaken for being 20 years younger than you really are. :D

Art

[htomei22]

Surprised to hear that. From what I saw in the trailer, and recent photos of Stalone, he looked in better shape than the first Rocky film. Even though he is 60, he's still very involved with fitness. Time does take it's toll but the last I saw of him, he still had defined abs, and a very low bodyfat. Art

Stallone came into our store while he was filming this. He was very friendly and, when we asked him about the film, he said that he was in better shape than when he filmed "Rocky." We believed him - he looked TERRIFIC!! Really, really ripped. Astonishing for a guy of 60. Hell, astonishing for a guy of 20!

htomei

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

"he looked in better shape than the first Rocky film. Even though he is 60, he's still very involved with fitness. Time does take it's toll but the last I saw of him, he still had defined abs, and a very low bodyfat."

"but it's nice being mistaken for being 20 years younger than you really are."

I am a realist and no one will mistake him as 20, nor 30, nor 40. Maybe 50.

You'll see once you see him and his body in the movie, especially with the High-Def cameras they used to film, I can not stress how much resolution it will show.

He wasn't in shape for the first Rocky Film, well he was in shape... but he didn't incorporate diet and steroids until the later movies, expecially Rambo and Rocky 3 and Rocky 4.

Lets be real now!

[DaveFi]

I saw him on Leno last week pushing the movie. Even with all the filters and stuff used on that HD production, you can tell time has not been kind to him. His face was "puffed up" as if he had some sort of cosmetic surgery, was using growth hormones or steroids of some kind.

He just did not look "quite right". That's the only way I could describe it.

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

DaveFi.

Thanks for your comment, I saw that show aswell.
at least you know what I am talking about. See the movie!

[FoxyMulder]

His face looks like Mickey Rourkes used to look ( might still look ) perhaps they used the same cosmetic surgeon.....having said that i'm looking forward to Rambo 4 :)

I wouldn't mind being in such good shape when i'm sixty.

[DaveFi]

DaveFi.

Thanks for your comment, I saw that show aswell.
at least you know what I am talking about. See the movie!I probably will, but not in the theaters and especially not if it gets terrible reviews. It's hard to pay to see it when parts I-V are available for free on Comcast's HD OnDemand service all month.

[Dave Mack]

Dave! They are advertising that on our comcast here but all we're getting is Rocky III in HD.
They have all V in the regular though.
Do you indeed have all V in HD...?

And btw, film (what all the other Rocky's were filmed on) has more resolution than HD video so if Stallone is showing his age it's not because of the HD cameras. Also I think they are deliberately incorporating that into the plot. At least in the previews it seems they're really focusing on his age, you know, calcium deposits, arthritis etc.,...

[adpayne]

"but it's nice being mistaken for being 20 years younger than you really are."

I am a realist and no one will mistake him as 20, nor 30, nor 40. Maybe 50.



Sorry. I was talking about myself with that line (I'm 47, but my last few girlfriends have been in their 20's.) :D

Back to Stalone. Sure he's had some facial work done, and it doesn't look natural, but his body is in excellent shape - for any age. I haven't seen the movie, so I can't argue about what he looks like in it. Maybe he put on a few pounds to look more like his character in the film.

Art

[lostsoldier]

I'm from Philly, and unlike other areas that have statues of actual athletes, we have a giant Rocky statue, that now resides by the Art Museum. This movie is going to rock!!!!! People the same things about Rocky IV and V. Blasphemy, I tell you!!!!!

He looks like crap specifically for the movie. Saw him at the Monday Night Game in Philly, he looks nothing like the movie. From what I've been reading he was involved in some sort of accident while filming Rambo IV, that could account for his look.

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

"Also I think they are deliberately incorporating that into the plot. At least in the previews it seems they're really focusing on his age, you know, calcium deposits, arthritis etc.,... "

I think it is the other way around! They added " calcium deposits, arthritis etc.,... "
Around the fact he looks his age.

There is one part in the movie where there is a close up of his face and you will see so much make up caked on, right on top of his left eye, and he wasn't even fighting. I can't wait till the movie opens and you guys add your comments to this thread, I wonder if you guys will see it my way?

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

My prediction: The movie makes money the first long weekend, since it comes out on a Wednesday (5 day count) then it dies out by a huge %.

Everyone who likes Rocky and grew up with his movies will go, and Contender fans, and boxing fans etc... but then the word will spread to wait for it on DVD.

Once again I am a very big Sly fan, but ""when your done your done."

Hey I wonder what Rocky would respond to that.

[Art Sonneborn]

I loved the first Rocky film when I was in college in 1976. But lets face it a 25 year old white guy fighting for the unified heavyweight title is unbelievable let alone a 60 year old. :D Just for the record the last one to win was Ingemar Johanson in 1959 !
Art

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

Hey Art, stacked G90??? :eek: :eek: :eek:

Oh my god! I had an Electrohome 9500 Ultra. I can't even imagine 2 G90's.

[dougotte]

...The dog...bad choice!...

Well, I was going to go see this movie until I read the above sentence!
:rolleyes:
Doug

Sorry. Nice review all the same.

[DaveFi]

Dave! They are advertising that on our comcast here but all we're getting is Rocky III in HD.
They have all V in the regular though.
Do you indeed have all V in HD...?Yep, I have all I,II,III,IV&V available HD OAR (or close enough 1.85), DD2.0 until 1/31 for free. Decent enough transfers too.

[Dave Mack]

Damn! All we have here in SF area is III.

We were going to go last nite to the screening but she is preggers and gets tired easily so we bailed, stayed home with Pizza and Galactica. Owen Glieberman from EW gave it a B!!!! That's HUGE! He actually started his review with,
"There was no movie I was looking less forward to going to see this hoilday season than Rocky Balboa but..."
Well if he liked it, I'm sure the fans will love it.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/review/movie/0,6115,1569422_1_0_,00.html

[teckademic]

Is he really 60? Wow, I thought he was in his mid-late 40s.

[DaveFi]

It's getting pretty good reviews so far at Rottentomatoes.com.

Now the real question is how many people want to pay to see him, let alone another Rocky movie. I know I sure don't.

[IAM4UK]

I thought this was a bad idea; however, I am more enthused about it now. I think he has a story to tell. I heard him say that part of his reason for doing this is that he didn't want to leave this character with the lousy "Rocky V" as his swan song. I agree with that. I also think he has a point to make about how generations interact. I'm interested.

[PooperScooper]

Is he really 60? Wow, I thought he was in his mid-late 40s.
plastic surgery, steroids, and make-up do wonders. :)

larry

[archiguy]

plastic surgery, steroids, and make-up do wonders. :)

larry

Well, if not 'roids, at least a well-managed HGH regimen I should think. I hear it's the new Viagra. ;)

I keep hearing people talk about Sly having had plastic surgery. Is this anything more than a rumor? What has he had done?

[lostsoldier]

He's way too small for steroids, maybe real light HGH. If anything it's just runners creatine. He tore one of his pecks in a weight lifting contest, they put about 160 stitches in it. If he were to use steroids, not only would the bad peck be less vascualar, like it is now, but it wouldn't grow to be the same size, no matter what he did, in other words, his chest would be much more uneven than it is. He's not showing steroid use, or even heavy supplements for that matter. He's way too small, and not vascular enough. If was using steroids, or HGH, then he failed miserably.

[PooperScooper]

I don't know anything, archi, but given the business, it's an exception not to do something. I haven't paid enough attention to him to see any differences.

larry

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

He is VERY, VERY vein, come on at the age of 60, you would think he wouldn't care so much about his looks and just let nature take it's course. Oh and leave the 4 inch platforms at home, your really not fooling anyone, :rolleyes: we all know he's short.

He also colors his hair, pencils in his eyebrows, has to do steroids or had done... ;)

Hulk Hogan is around 54 and is starting to show signs that he is aging.

I told my girlfriend that he will eventually look like Tony Curtis at his age, surgery and a wig and the high heels etc.... :eek: :eek: :eek:

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

"He's way too small for steroids, maybe real light HGH."

Many types of steroids out there, usually the more toxic to the body, the more it will produce, he may have used something that is less toxic and produces less of an out-come, like Deca. ( a less toxic, less harmful, less of an effect.)

He used to work out more when he was younger, and dieted 7 days a week, never really eat any crap. But now that he is older he says that he works out 4-5 days a week, less intense, and diets Monday-Friday, and eats whatever he wants on the weekends and goes out a lot with his family and enjoys his food, which makes sense cause he's getting older and I guess just wants to look fit. But if you remember in his movies he was soooo muscular and very lean.

When he did the Contender he was a different muscular and not as lean as he was in some of his movies.

He body was bulky in the Contender. He probably worked out for the Contender cause he had time. But when he was set to do Rocky Balboa, he said he didn't have much time to get back into shape, which makes all the sense in the world!

He doesn't look as good as he did in the Contender but, he looks better in Rocky Balboa compared to how he looks now when he does appearances. He's a bit in shape and also has his Belly along with a very fat face.


"If anything it's just runners creatine."

Maybe? All creatine does is give you a bloated muscle look, it fills your muscles with extra water. Which he does have a bloated bulky look.


"He's not showing steroid use, or even heavy supplements for that matter."

It depends on which steroid he uses, different look for different drug.
Heavy supplements if your talking about vitamins and such, they can't really do much in changing your body on how it looks, even if you do heavy potassium supplements (which is a trick that body builders do to look leaner, cause it pushes all the water out of your system and you look cut) but there is only so much even that will do.


"He's way too small, and not vascular enough."

With all do respect, Small he is not, A 200 LBS MAN IS NOT SMALL. Sorry to disagree. When he shot the naked part in demolition man he weighed 175 lbs at or around 5'7" or 5'7-1/2". Cause he had a problem with blood clots and blood flow in one of his arteries going from his arm to his body right around his armpit and was told to loss 20 lbs to help the matter. So he originally weighed 195lbs in most of the movie, except for the naked part. Watch the movie and you will notice he is bulky in the beginning of the movie, you can see it in his face and then looks leaner and about 20 lbs lighter. And that was years ago!

He has got to weigh about 200 Plus for Rocky Balboa, and probably weighs 220+ now, he has a bit of a belly and his face is fat and he is older. And one gets heavier with age.

[mde71]

I can't believe the number of people who are commenting negatively about Stallone's physical appearance. His level of physical conditioning and development is nothing short of awe-inspiring for a man who is sixty years old. SIXTY! Thats a 6 with a 0 after it. Jesus Christ people get some perspective, LOL.

[mpennin30]

I can't believe the number of people who are commenting negatively about Stallone's physical appearance. His level of physical conditioning and development is nothing short of awe-inspiring for a man who is sixty years old. SIXTY! Thats a 6 with a 0 after it. Jesus Christ people get some perspective, LOL.

I agree completely mde71. Now I won't say anyone wants to have Sly's face - that's just a trainwreck and always has been - but for people to sit here and criticize his physical conditioning is pretty sad. I mean is there any way to be more obvious that you're jealous that he's 60 yrs old and in better shape than probably 95% of the world's population or more? I'm jealous because I'm half his age and I'll never be in as good shape as he is but I'm also man enough to admit it.

[lostsoldier]

"He's way too small for steroids, maybe real light HGH."

Many types of steroids out there, usually the more toxic to the body, the more it will produce, he may have used something that is less toxic and produces less of an out-come, like Deca. ( a less toxic, less harmful, less of an effect.)


Which is some sort of wierd misconception that I'm not sure how they started. All steroids produce anabolic and virilization effects (that's why they are called steroids). One or the other is not more "toxic," what happens is some androgens can be metabolized into compounds (depending on the individual) that interact with other steroid hormone receptors like the progesterone, and glucocorticoid receptors. When that happens, that's when you have negative side effects. It's not the steroid, it's how the persons body handles it. What the medical profession does is administer aromatase inhibitors, SERMs, and hCG, to help prevent those side effects.

Deca is Deca-durabolin which is Nandrolone Decanoate. This occurs naturally in the body, which is why the body does not convert it to other compounds that can negatively affect other steroid hormone receptors. Because the body can already metabolize it correctly, the side affects from it being converted into another compound that could affect hormone recepters is removed.

The steroids themselves are not toxic to begin with, they can be converted to harmful substances in the body, again entirely individual. This is why the medical profession frowns on steroid use outside of a doctors care, as the doctor would be looking for the negative affects and be ready to change the steroid treatment.

I've been recieving Cortisone shots since I left the military. My doctor and I have had countless conversations about steroids. He used to work for Searle developing anabolic compounds before getting into sports medicine. He has given me a ton of great reading material.

To really get into into it though, I suggest reading the works of individuals like Geraline Lin, Rajan Singh, Wayne Taylor and Jorge Artaza. Singh was especially key in figuring out that the body was converting some steroids into compounds that negatively affect hormone receptors.

Anyway, 60 ain't that old. Look at the recent cover of Muscle & Fitness, Vince McMahon is 60.

[archiguy]

.......Anyway, 60 ain't that old. Look at the recent cover of Muscle & Fitness, Vince McMahon is 60.

Now, there's a "natural" bodybuilder whom I'm sure never dabbled in anabolic steriods.



BwaaaaHaHaHaHa. :p :D :eek:

[lostsoldier]

Now, there's a "natural" bodybuilder whom I'm sure never dabbled in anabolic steriods.



BwaaaaHaHaHaHa. :p :D :eek:

:D

[mpalmieri1203]

Well saw the movie tonight....my friends and i thought it was highly boring. Not a terrible movie i guess but not anything I found all that moving. I thought the storyline with his kid should have been axed. Nice to see Rocky again though. For reference I only really enjoyed the 1st film and I guess I would put this above all of the other sequels but still far below the first. The way the end fight was done was just poor in my opinion. I did not care for the Gatorade/Sin City style SFX and watching it on HBO feel....didnt gel for me.

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

"my friends and i thought it was highly boring"


I bet we will hear more reviews just like this one, like i originally stated.
Bad Movie!

[Cliff Stephenson]

I saw it at the Hollywood premiere last Wednesday and we all loved it. Far better than it has any right to be. People were cheering and stomping their feet during Duke's speech, the training sequence, and the final fight. While I would agree that the film is quite talky until the final act, so was the original. I would definitely rank this as the second best Rocky film, almost as good as the original (although I love Rocky III just for its spectacle). If you really love Rocky, I think you'll be pleased to see the story conclude in the way that it does. And for those commenting on Stallone's lack of physique in the film, I agree with those that think he looked to be in better shape than he did 30 years ago. I actually found Antonio Tarver to look more out of shape than Stallone did (I was surprised to find out he's 38. I thought he was younger.)

Bottom line, I'm a huge Rocky fan and think Stallone has made a film that is respectful to both the character AND the fans. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

P.S. Hey Rockymovie2006, do you think in retrospect that might not have been the best screen name for you? Maybe next time you should pick a flick you actually like when you choose a screen name. Were RockyV1990 and stopormymomwillshoot92 already taken? (Although with Rocky Balboa being connected to Sony, I wouldn't be surprised to find out this is more of their genius viral marketing. You know, trying to be hip by trashing the movie while all the time still plugging it in threads and usernames.) ;)

[SbWillie]

Apparently many here haven't noticed the guys who are in the MLB who use steroids..most aren't nearly as thick as Sly..If Sly was doping heavily he would probably be dead already to be honest.

[IrmoGamecoq]

Were RockyV1990 and stopormymomwillshoot92 already taken?

:D

[SbWillie]

It's safe to say it beats down Rocky V, right???

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

P.S. Hey Rockymovie2006, do you think in retrospect that might not have been the best screen name for you? Maybe next time you should pick a flick you actually like when you choose a screen name. Were RockyV1990 and stopormymomwillshoot92 already taken? (Although with Rocky Balboa being connected to Sony, I wouldn't be surprised to find out this is more of their genius viral marketing. You know, trying to be hip by trashing the movie while all the time still plugging it in threads and usernames.)


New to this Forum and just wanted to comment on the movie since I saw it 2 weeks ago, and figured the screen name would work, and I also didn't think much about my name at the time, just wanted to register. "Were RockyV1990 and stopormymomwillshoot92 already taken?" Good one by the way! LOL...

Oh by the way I don't work for Sony nor Sly, but my girlfriend works for VIACOM, does this work for you??? Hey good post and great joke! Have a Very Nice Holiday weekend, and Merry Christmas!

[bgillyjcu]

Saw it last night.

Very simply it is a good/fun movie to watch. Rocky and Paulie are funny, the music and training once again gives you chills, fight scene is decent.

Hated Rocky's kid...what a little bitch...


Rank order
1 Rocky I--Amazing, enough said
2 Rocky II--Amazing part II, enough said
3 Rocky III--Gotta love Mr. T, Mick dying made me cry
4 Rocky IV--Something about this movie I love, just not as much as the first 3
5 Newest Rocky--decent ending to the rocky series...

I refuse to give Rocky V a ranking because it was the WORST MOVIE EVER MADE. In fact, I have told myself that it has never even exsisted. When I have children someday I refuse to let them watch it because it is a disgrace to Rocky fans.

[IAM4UK]

Even Sly wishes Rocky V never happened. "Rocky Balboa" is in part an attempt to eradicate that abomination as the conclusion of this character's story.

[IrmoGamecoq]

4 Rocky IV--Something about this movie I love, just not as much as the first 3


I'm with you. I think it's the pure 80's cheese: the raw patriotic propaganda, the glitz and glamour, all that. I love it too. :D

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

ROCKY IV, I loved it too.... It was visually impressive! The Cars, the Money, the House, everyone in shape, nice clothes, nice equipment, all the advancements...
Very much eye candy! :cool:


I just feel that the newest movie "Rocky Balboa" was missing something, it did not have the same feel the first 4 had. (Rocky V doesn't count, it sucked!)

That's the one problem I felt was missing in Rocky Balboa. When I found out he was making this movie, I felt as if he would put more into this one, and it would probably be better than them all, since he had so much time to think about what he would do, and I thought "hey if theres one left, why not go all out"

But then when I heard the studio back in 2002 only wanted to give him a 10 million budget, and it took years to extend the amount to a bit more, around 20 plus, I thought he doesn't have the money to put something together that would blow us away, and I also heard he didn't have much time to make the movie nor get into shape once the studio gave him the O.K. to make this one. Under these circumstances I do feel he did a good job, but I guess I should blame the studios! :mad: :mad: :mad:

20 million used to be his pay! :eek: Not the budget of his whole movie, :rolleyes: wow I guess they don't believe in him as a movie money maker anymore.

As a Sly Fan, the one way to get back at them is to support Rocky's movie, and hope it makes millions!!!!!!!!!!!! This way he can be back on top again, and he will have the budget to give us an amazing Ramo movie in 2008. ;) ;) ;)

[IrmoGamecoq]

A Rambo film that is more in line with the original (First Blood), just like this appears to be more in line with the original Rocky, is not a bad idea in concept.

I can see Rambo as a cagey, 60 year old survivalist pretty easily.

Now, if they have him going over to Afghanistan to personally capture Osama Bin Ladin...well then, all bets are off.

[SbWillie]

I'm partial to IV...my dad took me to that one (the only one), his training `homestyle' was cool, plus the soundtrack was awesome! :D

[lostsoldier]

A Rambo film that is more in line with the original (First Blood), just like this appears to be more in line with the original Rocky, is not a bad idea in concept.

I can see Rambo as a cagey, 60 year old survivalist pretty easily.

Now, if they have him going over to Afghanistan to personally capture Osama Bin Ladin...well then, all bets are off.

They are already working on the new Rambo, so lets see how it goes. The bin Laden idea was already tossed around.

[homerx]

Rambo IV should be good I know the osama idea was thrown out now.
So I wonder what their going to do. I'd guess war games. Have current troops face rambo era as an exersise. But out of nowhere rambo wins it all..


As far a rocky VI I've not seen it yet, but hope their not a rocky VII: weelchairs of doom.. If they do I'd like to see rocky train rocky jr. Even if rocky is nor around they could have his spirit guide rocky jr.
As long as it not a rocky 5 were rocky faces his son. But they could start a whole new rocky era buy training his son call it rocky balboa 2: the rise of jr.

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

The Rambo story line, is that they kidnap his daughter.

[SteveCallas]

The critics seem to really be enjoying this film, which is a big surprise. I'm a huge Rocky fan (I even like part V) and wil be seeing this one with a large group of other Rocky-loving friends sometime after Christmas. I'm sure we will all love it - it's another Rocky movie for Pete's sake. But in the broader scope considerinf the average movie-goer, if the critics like it, considering how easy it would be for them to just rip this thing to shreds (60 year old actor who's made some pretty corny movies in the past making a fifth sequel to a franchise that most feel ended after the second) that it would seem to be a great sign. Although, the fact that the critics like it scares me as a huge Rocky fan :o

Oh, and the Rambo storyline isn't that his daughter gets kidnapped, that was the earlier Deliverance-esque version which has been scrapped. Now he is gonna be fighting the Burmese.

[lostsoldier]

The Rambo story line, is that they kidnap his daughter.

That was one of the ideas, but Entertainment Weekly already dispelled that one.

http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,1219912_1_0_,00.html

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

Thanks for the info.

[IrmoGamecoq]

Oh, and the Rambo storyline isn't that his daughter gets kidnapped, that was the earlier Deliverance-esque version which has been scrapped. Now he is gonna be fighting the Burmese.

Ah well, that sounds like it'll be bad. The best Rambo film was the first one, and the one that is easiest to re-visit considering Sly's age.

[SbWillie]

$6M opening night..might break even this weekend...who would've thunk it! :p

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

$6 million times 5 days (Wednesday to sunday night)= $30 million if possible???

My friend thinks it will do $47 million with the 6th day which is Monday.

?????????????

[SbWillie]

Just over $3M last night...reviews are good so far...will probably be in the low $30s by Monday.

[Big Bri]

Saw it last night. Thought it was very good. A much more fitting send off than V was.

[Likvid]

I didn't beleive people could be jealous in USA, only in communist or socialist countries.

Anyway, Stallone is great, i loved Rocky III and 4 with Dolph Lundgren as the Russian machine.

Sly always got a smile on his face and he is around 60, great guy...

[Steve Scherrer]

(60 year old actor who's made some pretty corny movies in the past making a fifth sequel to a franchise that most feel ended after the second) that it would seem to be a great sign.



http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c90/Etienne_72772/untitled-1.jpg

[johnbe]

Put me down as enjoying the movie. My 13 year old daughter said she liked it too. I thought it was about the right length and covered all the points that needed covered. The way they incorporated HBO was very clever. Someone mentioned earlier that Tarver looked more out of shape than Stallone. I remember in the movie that one of the announcers mentioned that Mason Dixon was out of shape for the fight so he was probably not taking it so serious.

[Toe]

Saw this today and thought it was excellent overall. Stalone is in amazing shape, and he is 60 :eek:

[SteveCallas]

Seems like most here are enjoying it too. Turn that thumbs down icon into a thumbs up :D

[aydu]

I think the two major questions about this film have been answered. First was whether Stallone could pull off the part at his age. I remember George Formam's return to the ring and he was certainly a totally different body at 40+ than when in his prime.

Only question about George's comeback was whether he made more money in boxing or with his grills.

Stallone is in great shape for this film, especially considering his age. If you go back to the original, he was more in boxer shape than a cut bodybuilder. Subsequent Rocky's had him look more cut like Arnold than a boxer.

All in all, he certainly didn't embarass himself playing this character again.

The 2nd question is whether Stallone could have a hit with any movie he made. He's made some really bad choices, especially when his star power was so strong that he could pick his roles regardless of their match to his skills.

Lately, he's tried for either remakes of successful films or playing second fiddle to a younger lead. Neither got him any love from audiences.

The Rocky role may be his was of saying that the audience was right. They loved him as Rocky (and Rambo) with all the limitations those characters imposed on him as an actor. Doing the role(s) one more time both gives the audience what they want, and ends the Rocky series on a much better end point than Rocky V.

If Stallone can pull off similar success (people actually going to see it in it's theatrical release) with the upcoming Rambo film, he may well have pulled off the comeback of show business history.

Ironically, he could become the Rocky of actors - not all wins, but going the distance.

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

Very VERY Good Post! ;)

[maverick0716]

.....Oh and leave the 4 inch platforms at home, your really not fooling anyone, :rolleyes: we all know he's short.

Well his character is supposed to be 5'11" through the 1st 5 movies.......do you really think he should be 5'6" in the 6th one?

I saw the movie on Friday and thought it was the perfect ending to the series. I am a huge Rocky fan and I love all the movies (yes, I even liked #5). Just seeing Stallone play the character of Rocky one last time (and doing it flawlessly) brought a smile to my face.......good job SLY!

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

At only 12 million, In 2 days? Just over 22 Million in 5 days.
Wonder if thats considered a good amount?

[Matt_Stevens]

Yes, so far the media thinks so. Many thought it would earn 20 million TOTAL. But it looks like it could reach 50 million when it finishes its run here. Likely the same amount overseas makes this a highly profitable film even before DVD.

Stallone will never be a box office giant again. But this film may help him get some films made and if RAMBO IV trailers look good, that one could actually earn decent green.

[IrmoGamecoq]

Friends and I saw it last night and really enjoyed it. The initial review in this thread was way off, in my opinion. This movie is very similar to the first in many ways, including storyline, but also in the crafting and overall "smallness" of the film if you know what I mean. You could tell that Sly wanted to go back to that small feel of the original and I think he succeeded.

Many aspects of the film work: Adrian's Death. The Restaurant. Rocky's new love interest. Paulie (of course). The training. The fight. The fight result. Rocky's sendoff. The clashing of generations (an interest of Stallone's apparently). The video montage of fans climbing the steps during the credits.

Some don't:"Steps" (he got "in" with Rocky a little too quickly/easily). Rocky's son (comes across as a brat, but that's probably the point). The dog (was a little too cute during the jog sequences in their matching sweatshirts).

And the posters in this thread criticizing 60yo Stallone's physical condition remind me of the fatty in the bar that had the nerve to ridicule Rock.:D

In all, I enjoyed the film about a million times more than I thought I would when I originally heard it announced.

[JBLsound4645]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c90/Etienne_72772/untitled-1.jpg

Oh I remember that gag.

Well I liked the first three except the forth one which lost the plot, so I hope this one rings in at the box office.

I doubt I would see it at the cinema due to the falling decline in poor sounding cinemas that don’t use THX sound system! So I’ll wait for the DVD and then play it back with Lucasfilm THX sound system!

Rocky, Rocky, Rocky

[DB2]

Well, I finally able to see this and thought I would throw in my $0.02.

I really enjoyed the movie from start to finish. Those that said this one was crafted very similar to the first one are absolutely right. The timing, the scope and the feel all reminded me of the first Rocky.

I liked that the movie made a very conscious effort to be realistic. I felt that Rocky II, III, IV and V (all of which I enjoyed btw) got progressively more far fetched. This movie gave a realistic depiction of where Rocky might be living now, what he might be doing, how he might be physically, etc. Nothing over the top.

I REALLY enjoyed the parts of the story that dealt with generational differences. In other words, how kids today are different and how they are the same as the previous (Rocky's) generation. Good writing on Stallone's part.

If the movie had a weakness I would say that some parts of it seemed a bit rushed. A lot of loose ends are tied up in a short period of time. In my opinion, this movie screams extended cut! I hope that the eventual dvd/hd-dvd will provide an extended version of the film.

Overall I would rate it 4/5 stars.

[NewNameGuy]

Ignoring the folks obsesses with how some 60-year old guy looks, and somebody who joined the forum to blast this movie, here's my take:

This is a movie about a 60-year old director named Sylvester Stallone. He's living a pretty decent live - but just keeps reliving old memories. He's got a burning in his gut to make one last Rocky movie, a good one to wash away the taste of Rocky V. Everyone assumes the new movie will be a joke. But Sly doesn't care - he's making this movie for himself.

So he works really hard and surprises everybody with a movie that is much better than expected. It's not a joke. People enjoy watching it and cheer, despite knowing deep in their cut the whole thing is a farce.

In the end, it doesn't matter if it's not the Best.Movie.Ever. Stallone made a good movie, and can be proud of himself. The audience had a good time. And the new up-and-coming directors who make movies with all sizzle and no heart just might learn something.

PS - My wife loved the dog.

[aydu]

Sly is following his fellow aging action stars in their success formula.

After going for years without a legitimate hit (think Arnold), you pull out one more episode from your successful franchise movies (think Terminator III). You pick up a big pay check and move out of the movie business with that "big star" reputation refreshed.

Sly may have topped Arnold in that he has two series to bring back - Rocky and Rambo. He is making a new Rambo movie now. If it hits with similar success to Rocky, Sly can gracefully retire from acting as the undisputed champ.

Bruce Willis is making a similar move with the Die Hard series (one more time) and Harrison Ford is doing one last Indiana Jones.

The tough part for all these guys will be to top Arnold in a post movie career.

[RLReady]

Well, I finally able to see this and thought I would throw in my $0.02.

I really enjoyed the movie from start to finish. Those that said this one was crafted very similar to the first one are absolutely right. The timing, the scope and the feel all reminded me of the first Rocky.

I liked that the movie made a very conscious effort to be realistic. I felt that Rocky II, III, IV and V (all of which I enjoyed btw) got progressively more far fetched. This movie gave a realistic depiction of where Rocky might be living now, what he might be doing, how he might be physically, etc. Nothing over the top.

I REALLY enjoyed the parts of the story that dealt with generational differences. In other words, how kids today are different and how they are the same as the previous (Rocky's) generation. Good writing on Stallone's part.

If the movie had a weakness I would say that some parts of it seemed a bit rushed. A lot of loose ends are tied up in a short period of time. In my opinion, this movie screams extended cut! I hope that the eventual dvd/hd-dvd will provide an extended version of the film.

Overall I would rate it 4/5 stars.
What he said. :D

One thing that jumped out at me, though, was in the 2nd round (I think), Dixon hits Rocky's hip with a left that hurts his hand ... he tells his trainer that it is broken between rounds. It hurt him so badly, he couldn't even hold it up for a round or two. However, in the later rounds, he is using his left as if nothing happened?!?. Now, what's up with that? That seems like a pretty big thing to just forget about.

[NewNameGuy]

Now, what's up with that? That seems like a pretty big thing to just forget about. The hand issue is specifically addressed in the movie. We are told that the champ is currently in pain, but that after a couple rounds the hand will numb up and he'll be able to fight with it again.

[kevinp8192]

I saw this too this week, and really liked it. I appreciated the deliberate pacing as in the first one. It's certainly not an action-packed movie like the sequels were, and it's all the better for it.

One question though, since my memory is bad (and I didn't see Rocky V):Why was Rocky living in such a dump in Philly? He obviously is still very famous, and I thought he had a lot of money (didn't he own a mansion and had a ton of money in the previous movies?). Did he lose it, or decide to reject the money and live poor or what?

[homerx]

Rocky lost all his money in rocky 5, paulie lost it all in a scam..., which was why he's poor in all of rocky 5.

[SteveCallas]

Saw this with a large group of friends a couple days after Christmas. Myself and two others were hardcore Rocky fans, the rest were casual fans who have seen most or all of the movies. Those casual fans enjoyed the movie......us die hard Rocky fans were really disappointed, it didn't have the same feel as the other Rocky movies.

He did no small local fights, just went straight to the champion. The only reason Rocky stayed in the fight was because of Mason breaking his hand - what an insult. If he was really supposed to be THAT bad, then he never would have fought. The training sequences were a let down, way too short and nothing very motivating. Music was pretty weak. Marie, Steps, and Rocky's son were all pretty uninteresting characters. Duke is more interesting and should have been given a larger role.......they did throw in a nugget for Rocky fans with him though - in part IV he jumps over the ropes in the ring, in this one, he tries to again and falls :) Now, being a little let down at the end of the movie, I was then bombarded with kids, fat women, and old men running up those Philidelphia stairs pretending to be Rocky, OUCH, talk about adding salt to a wound :(

People hate part V (not me), but in my opinion it's a more fitting, better ending to the series. As big as a Rocky fan as I am, I won't be adding part VI to my collection.

[Matt_Stevens]

Completely disagree, but it's a free country. ;)

The movie now appears headed for 60 million, which is much higher than expected. This film will be all profit for the studio. It cost a little and is making a lot.

[SteveCallas]

Completely disagree, but it's a free country
I'm not saying there is any trend here, but out of curiosity, how big of a Rocky fan are you?

[Penarin]

My wife and I just saw Rocky Balboa. We both really enjoyed it.

Short review:
If you like the original, you'll probably like the new film. If you favor the later sequels, Rocky Balboa might not be the movie for you.

Long review:
The first Rocky movie was my favorite. I never really cared for the sequels. To me they seemed to get more and more over the top as time went by.

I liked how the original was all rough and street level. The bar, Rocky's apartment, the pet store, Paulie's house, the city streets when he walks Marie home... That's good stuff. It really gives you a feel for his life and the neighborhood. Check out this dialogue from the opening fight in the first movie:

"Rocky, you get winner's share. Sixty-five dollars, less fifteen dollars locker and corner man, five dollars shower and towel, and seven percent tax, comes to $40.55."

He took all those hits for two twenties, and is eager to line up his next fight?

So In Rocky Balboa, time's aren't THAT hard, but Rock is struggling again.

He's back in the old 'hood, living in a modest house, running an Italian restaurant (which is largely staffed by Hispanic cooks, one of many funny / ironic moments in the movie). He has a strained relationship with his son, and his beloved wife has been gone for a few years.

But Rock still has "somethin' in the basement," and wants something more.

By the way, if you like "Rocky-isms" like that, this film has them- I found most of the dialogue to be charming and tender.

Anyway, with Rocky Balboa, as soon as I heard "Take it Back" during the opening scene, I knew we were in good hands. The movie pays respect to the original, takes the story back to relationships and personal courage, and has plenty of that street level feel. It's warm, nostalgic, funny, sad, and even inspiring.

And stay for the end credits.

[smithb]

Rocky lost all his money in rocky 5, paulie lost it all in a scam..., which was why he's poor in all of rocky 5.

Not that its all that important but I thought Rocky lost all his money to an accountant that embezzled it. I don't recall Paulie having anything to do with it. In fact, I believe it is because of Paulie that they even still have the row house Rocky bought back in Rocky II.

[lostsoldier]

It's still making money and doing well. Rocky is my hero. Of course I come from a city that kept a bronze statue of him outside our sports stadium, so maybe I'm brainwashed. I watched the movie again today, as I fell asleep during part of it last time(I always do :D ), got to see what I missed, my opinion hasn't changed. Great movie.

[IrmoGamecoq]

Not that its all that important but I thought Rocky lost all his money to an accountant that embezzled it. I don't recall Paulie having anything to do with it. In fact, I believe it is because of Paulie that they even still have the row house Rocky bought back in Rocky II.

Paulie signed over Power-of-Attorney to the crooked accountant, who then lost/stole all the money.

I watched Rocky IV and the beginning of Rocky V last night and it reminded me of another thing that VI got right. They brought back the "dumb" Rocky. In Rocky IV (which I really enjoy), Stallone plays Rocky as a lot more cagey and cunning than the dumb-guy-with-a-big-heart that was in the original (and 2nd). The RockyIV Rocky is a lot closer to Stallone's characters in his other films (like Rambo, Cobra, etc). I don't know if Stallone was taking all the personal criticism to himself as being "dumb" to heart, and tried to smarten up his character, but it's a striking contrast to the Rocky we see in 1, 2, and now 6. I prefer the "dumb on the surface" Rocky myself, he's more endearing.

[Matt_Stevens]

I'm not saying there is any trend here, but out of curiosity, how big of a Rocky fan are you?
I'm a big fan of I and III. Part II is OK, while parts IV and V make me hurl. I had not seen any of the films in a long long time. So call me an average fan.

[SteveCallas]

I watched Rocky IV and the beginning of Rocky V last night and it reminded me of another thing that VI got right. They brought back the "dumb" Rocky. In Rocky IV (which I really enjoy), Stallone plays Rocky as a lot more cagey and cunning than the dumb-guy-with-a-big-heart that was in the original (and 2nd). The RockyIV Rocky is a lot closer to Stallone's characters in his other films (like Rambo, Cobra, etc). I don't know if Stallone was taking all the personal criticism to himself as being "dumb" to heart, and tried to smarten up his character, but it's a striking contrast to the Rocky we see in 1, 2, and now 6. I prefer the "dumb on the surface" Rocky myself, he's more endearing.
After Rocky II, when Rocky becomes champ, he starts taking better care of himself. You see the early signs of him trying to better himself in part II after the director of the Beast Aftershave commercial humiliates him because he can't read very well. You see from II to III that his physique improves dramatically as well, and that only makes sense, as now he's the champ and can afford personal trainers, dieticians, and personal cooks. And Paulie mentions in the beginning of part III when they are arguing in the parking garage that Rocky got his face fixed up (a clever way of explaining the surgeries Stallone got in real life), which would also make sense if he had tons of money lying around and wanting to be in the public spotlight more. You also see the numerous magazine covers, advertisements, and promo spots that Rocky does during the beginning of part III, and as champ, it would be safe to assume he has done many interviews, so for him to have improved his speech and education isn't a stretch at all.

It's also explained why he gets "dumbed down" after part IV in the beginning of part V - he has suffered brain damage after the beating he took from Drago. There really are very few holes in the Rocky series - as far as movies go, it's pretty well thougt out. That said, a big hole is how he recovers from the brain damage in part VI to fight again, they don't really explain that. People say part V was a forced money grab, lol, no way. Part V is a LOGICAL sequel, it fits in with the continuing storyline. This latest one is the one that seems like a cheap attempt in my opinion.

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

"He's got a burning in his gut to make one last Rocky movie"

O.k. if you want to believe that statement you can but the truth is he has not made a hit movie in years! And he knows Rocky will probably do well that's the only reason why he made it. Lets be for real!

And the "take it back" song in the beginning of the movie was there in order to give his brother a job and make some money, cause we all know his music career is a failure.

____________________________________________________________ ____________
Lets be for real now!

[ROCKYMOVIE2006]

"This latest one is the one that seems like a cheap attempt in my opinion."

Thank You Sir!!!!!!!

[RLReady]

Nearly $61M ... Looks like the theater going public disagrees with some here. Not in my top 10, but certainly not the train wreck that some are describing. I enjoyed it.

[SteveCallas]

It's definitely not a train wreck, it's just geared for a more casual movie going fan....not really following in line with the other films. For some people that's a good thing, for hardcore Rocky fans, not so much.

[PeteC]

I'll wait for the DVD, there has not been a movie in the theaters that I would pay money (the amount tickets cost) to see since Revenge of the Sith . I can wait to netflix this. Where have all the good movies gone?
-Pete

[Jimbo Moran]

I saw this at the Vegas premier at the Aladdin. Sly was at the after party and I got to meet him and a few of the lesser "stars", that part was cool, the movie was only OK.

[CHolleman]

Some things just didn't work imo. like the restaraunt. i think the fact that he has a restaraunt is fine, but i pictured a diner or a deli when i first heard it. not some semi-upscale restaraunt. i mean Rocky in a sports coat? not for me. i also didn't think he appeared that "dumb" in this incarnation like he was in the 1st and 2nd. maybe older and wiser, but not dumb. overall it felt very rushed and cheap to me. there was no fleshing out of supporting characters so we have a very flat feeling to the rest of the film. it had a feel very similar to, dare i say it? Driven.

[opus123]

I'm usually pretty harsh on movies... but I had no problem saying this was a good movie.
It serves to bring the story to close, and I think it does it well for fans of the series. I went as a favor to someone else, didn't want to see it... but was surprised.

With the crapola we're bombarded with today, I thought this was a pleasant escape. The movie doesn't try too hard, and I feel it stays well within itself. If you never liked the movies, then there's no reason to see it... personally I liked the first 2, and thought this was a fine way to put things to bed.

Despite what negative reviews some may have posted... I was in a half-empty theater of people standing and clapping at the closing credits. I wasn't neccesarily applauding, but I gotta say it was better than the other 2 films I've recently paid to see (flags of our fathers & superman returns).

Take it for what it's worth and you might also be surprised.

[Wytchone]

Had to see it.
Did enjoy it.
Could have been much better.

Oh well.

[SbWillie]

just picked up the DVD at BB...MUCH better than IV or V although IV had an AWESOME soundtrack!

Plenty of funny `dumb' Rocky lines. They obviously took more time making the fight look realistic than in previous Rockies (some punches looked dead on).

Plenty of cornball scenes typical of the Rocky series. The widespread `advertising' in the Main Event actually gave it a more credible feel.Good bit of extras...the filiming in Philly' stuff was nice. :) course it was from an actual PPV for HBO...AND NOBODY beats Michael Buffer! :D
Probably 3/4 for me..not great but it brought back many memories with IV at the theatre with my dad. :o


:rolleyes: My wife still thinks he looks hot. :rolleyes:



:eek: he is in unbelievable shape for 60! :eek:

If it were `roids' he would've died decades ago.

[SteveCallas]

If it were `roids' he would've died decades ago.
:rolleyes: "Roids", if used properly, aren't nearly as detrimental as people make them out to be. He looks to have started using performance enhancers in the 80's somewhere between Rocky II and Rocky III. Not just roids, but diuretics for the Rocky/Rambo films as well, it's pretty obvious. I think you'd be shocked if you found out how many athletes and actors really use(d) performance enhancers.

Stallone started bulking up for this latest Rocky movie and even more so for the new Rambo film. Just so happens he got caught with a fair amount of growth hormone in an Australian airport a couple weeks ago.

[SbWillie]

Haven't heard that...a miracle HGH hasn't killed him like it has many athletes who were heavy into them.....give most of the obviously guilty MLB players a decade and most won't be around.

`bulked up' isn't that accurate...he was thick in Rocky just had no definition to speak of...2 he was in a lot better shape...so on so forth. :o


http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/12/stallone.australia.ap/index.html

It is obvious he used it to get BACK up to `size'... :eek:

[SteveCallas]

Correct, he didn't use gear to bulk up back then, he used it to get shredded. As his use progressed, he was able to stay shredded and gain more size, ala Rocky IV and his peak in Rambo III. Currently he seems to be bulking up though - I'd bet he weighs more now than any previous film, Copland aside.

http://stallonezone.com/imgs/news/2007/Feb/022507sly_golf021807.jpg

[opus123]

yep it's a shame... but a solid fact that many hollywood transformations are through the use of illegal/controlled substances. I've no proof (IMO)... I'd be shocked to learn Tobey Maguire got into ripped Spiderman-shape naturally... or remeber Nicholas Cage in Jade?

I agree that when used under the care of a trained physician (cycling the drug correctly), the usage isn't nearly as damaging as the effect on one's who self-medicate (i.e. high-school, college, low wage wrestlers). Pretty much anyone without the $$$ to pay for informed assistance is at greatest risk.

[homerx]

Well lets get back to the movie.

I bought this on DVD today. it was the first time I've seen it. I thought it was a pretty good movie. Seemed to be more of the same. Its hard not to see any of the orginal cast other then paulie and spider.
The end fight was done very well.
but its still begs could their be another film. Prehapps robert fights. I don't want a 80 year old stallone.


Anyway, I hope some one makes some coverart that will match the current 5disk sets.

But I'd suspect a ubber 7-12 disc set will come. The disc rocky and the other 5 films in on fold out set or something

[SbWillie]

Sly mentioned the upcoming `Director's CUt' in the commentary... :rolleyes:

[adpayne]

Haven't heard that...a miracle HGH hasn't killed him like it has many athletes who were heavy into them.....give most of the obviously guilty MLB players a decade and most won't be around.


Don't want to derail this thread, but....

There has never been a documented case where steroids were the cause of death. The gov't and the media has a way of greatly exagerating the truth. HBO Real Sports recently revisited a story they did last decade, and retracted almost everything from the previous one. Certainly, there are side effects from heavy usage, but used in the right conditions they can improve quality of life. Many men in their 50's, and up, are on HRT. Stalone could easily get his testosterone, and HGH, legally through a physician due to his age. (That wouldn't be the case when he was young, unless his natural test levels were very low.)

I do believe those using should be upfront about it though. It's not easy to compete naturally against someone who is "chemically enhanced". :)

[SbWillie]

so Henning,Rude,etc had nothing to do with HGH and `roids...sure thing.

SLy must've found some model to be wife # 11? 12? Hence his use... :confused:

IF I question anyone it's Christian Bale's INSANE trasformation in a 6 month span between the Machinist and Batman Begins.....100 lb gain in 6 months!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/09/BaleMachine.jpg/180px-BaleMachine.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/65/BBBale.jpg/180px-BBBale.jpg

[SteveCallas]

There has never been a documented case where steroids were the cause of death. The gov't and the media has a way of greatly exagerating the truth. HBO Real Sports recently revisited a story they did last decade, and retracted almost everything from the previous one. Certainly, there are side effects from heavy usage, but used in the right conditions they can improve quality of life. Many men in their 50's, and up, are on HRT. Stalone could easily get his testosterone, and HGH, legally through a physician due to his age. (That wouldn't be the case when he was young, unless his natural test levels were very low.)
Common sense is refreshing :)

so Henning,Rude,etc had nothing to do with HGH and `roids...sure thing
Hennig died from cocaine overdose and Rude died from testicular cancer. If you want to assume his cancer was caused by performance enhancers, then how would you explain the numerous people who have taken them and don't develop cancer? There is no link between steroids and cancer, he was just a guy who got cancer that happened to use steroids.

Bale is just one of many actors.

[linthat22]

Does anyone here get the sense that ROCKMOVIE2006 is a PR person? I mean come on, who the heck names themselves something so ludicrous? The signs are all there: Make some random posts to fit in and then whammo a Rocky thread.

Anyway, just an observation.

btw, not saying my handle is any better :)

[smithb]

Just curious, is there any direct evidence Stallone used steriods? Did he say he used steroids?

There are lots of people who are big from working out and not all use steroids. Doesn't someone deserve the benefit of working hard to accomplish something first. Please let me know if there is proof.

From what I have seen, Stallone gradually got bigger from Rocky II through to Rambo III. That is 1979 to 1988. Not exactly an overnight transformation.

[spyder696969]

I heard on Conan O'Brien that Stallone got busted bringing steroids into the country.*

*While Conan isn't exactly the most respected source for news, he is entertaining and rarely wrong. ;)

[PooperScooper]

Let's stick to the movie as fascinating as the other discussion may be... :)

larry

[homerx]

Can't wait for rambo 4.
Wonder if he will do a rocky 7. This one still left it open to his son.

[spyder696969]

The only way Rocky's son is going to win a fight is if he somehow retains his powers from Heroes. :confused:

Save the cheerleader, save the franchise. ;)

[smithb]

Just saw it and as a fan I enjoyed it very much. My order of preference is:
I,
III and VI,
II, IV, and V

[SbWillie]

Common sense is refreshing :)


Hennig died from cocaine overdose and Rude died from testicular cancer. If you want to assume his cancer was caused by performance enhancers, then how would you explain the numerous people who have taken them and don't develop cancer? There is no link between steroids and cancer, he was just a guy who got cancer that happened to use steroids.

Bale is just one of many actors.I agree. All I've hear in recent years is that all were roid related. Media prop at it's worst.

[davdev]

I watched this yesterday, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. While not the best film of the decade I still found it really enjoyable. It is a much better ending of the series than Rocky 5 was.

I really liked the first hour or so. It was a nice examination of what happens to a "star" when his shine has faded and life takes a downturn.

The fight scenes were good, but I acutally think it could have been a better movie, if there was no fighting at all and it just showed Rocky trying to get by. Though that would not have not brought in the audiences.

I will saw though, that I didn't think the kid who played Robert was very good at all. He is much better in Heroes, than he is here.

[HTCrazy]

I'll say upfront that I've never been much of a Rocky fan, though I moderately enjoyed Rocky 1 & 2 in the day. After not seeing Rocky for so many years, it was really bizarre and unsettling seeing a 60 something guy in shoe polish black hair dye wearing the silly Rocky hat, vest, etc. Almost like watching a scifi movie where Rocky turned into a Rocky monster when an alien infested his body.

And the computer simulation thing? Huh? Did that make any sense at all? But mostly it was a bore that I couldn't sit through for more than 2/3rds its running time. I'm guessing for the sake of nostalgia there was plenty there for Rocky fans, but that wouldn't be me. And there just didn't seem to be enough else there to make the movie interesting. It would never stand up on its own without the other Rocky films before it - not that it really needs to.

[Zues]

I'm a big rocky fan and thought it was just ok. 1-4 will always be the real rockys.
Rockys training and music in 4 was the best, had the most inspiration, to me. I lost alot of weight that year.. This new movie was more sad i think. And at 60, 50's in the movie, just way to unrealistic for a 'exibition' with the heavyweight champ. Stallone did not look good in the ring, even though he is in very good shape for 60.

Whats up with boxing nowadays, the sport seems dead.
I guess i'll just watch ufc's.

[davdev]

Whats up with boxing nowadays, the sport seems dead.
I guess i'll just watch ufc's.

There's no incentive to do it anymore. Most young people today dream of being NBA or NFL stars not about standing in a ring and getting punched in the face over and over.

For years Boxing was a way out of poverty. Until only recently (25-30 years) Boxing and Baseball were it for major money making sports. The NFL didn't really get huge until the early 70's and Basketball in the early-mid 80's. So the kids that once got into boxing are no longer doing so.

I also think UFC will eventually surpass boxing as the number 1 combat sport. It is far more popular among the younger generations and most of the best fighters prefer it's more open rules to the limitations of boxing

[SteveCallas]

Definitely - ever since the UFC kinda reorganized and legitimized itself a few years ago, it's been on a hot streak. I find it many times more enjoyable than boxing. The NBA is a bunch of punks and thugs in my opinion, that Pacers fight with the crowd a few years back is still the most embarrassing thing in sports I have ever seen.

[spyder696969]

...that Pacers fight with the crowd a few years back is still the most embarrassing thing in sports I have ever seen.
No, seeing Carmello Anthony sucker-punch a guy and then run away like a little school girl was much more embarrassing. I honestly wonder if he'll ever find his penis again after that.

Maybe instead of a Rocky 7 film they could just make a video game next time, like the one in the movie.

[PULLIAMM]

I finally got around to watching RB last night. I enjoyed it, but didn't think it was up to the same standards as I-III. Closer to V, in fact.

[davdev]

The NBA is a bunch of punks and thugs in my opinion, that Pacers fight with the crowd a few years back is still the most embarrassing thing in sports I have ever seen.

Terry O'Reilly and the Big Bad Bruins of the early 80's climbing into the stands at MSG is a much better fight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DR500vrRmY

[homerx]

Maybe instead of a Rocky 7 film they could just make a video game next time, like the one in the movie.

well theirs already 2 rocky games out. both on the xbox.

a next-gen rocky game more on the fight night style controls would be sweet.
rocky on the 360

[SteveCallas]

Terry O'Reilly and the Big Bad Bruins of the early 80's climbing into the stands at MSG is a much better fight
Thanks for the clip. That looks like he goes after the guy that took his stick and his teamates just kinda restrain other people in the crowd to make sure it doesn't escalate. In the Pacers vs Pistons game, numerous fans are attacked and numerous fans attack. Punches, tackles, flying chairs, bottles, and poured beverages.....I was crossing my fingers that the entire NBA would just be cancelled that day - a guy can dream ;)

Pacers vs Pistons Brawl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZiGkgbJ10k&mode=related&search=)

[davdev]

Thanks for the clip. That looks like he goes after the guy that took his stick and his teamates just kinda restrain other people in the crowd to make sure it doesn't escalate. In the Pacers vs Pistons game, numerous fans are attacked and numerous fans attack. Punches, tackles, flying chairs, bottles, and poured beverages.....I was crossing my fingers that the entire NBA would just be cancelled that day - a guy can dream ;)

Pacers vs Pistons Brawl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZiGkgbJ10k&mode=related&search=)


At about 50 Seconds into the Bruins clip you can see one of the bruins hitting a guy with the guys own shoe. It's pretty amusing

[JohnR_IN_LA]

This movie was a nice simple story, the acting was fine, the characters believable, and I have to give it a thumbs up.

[Laserfan]

This movie was a nice simple story, the acting was fine, the characters believable, and I have to give it a thumbs up.JohnR you got it right. As too with the original, it had some clever/unusual dialog in it, and characters. The streetkid-now-barmaid was a nice touch.

I had to strong-arm the wife into watching it--and she liked it. Two thumbs up.

[SbWillie]

agreed Laser!

[LupinIV]

I'm with you. I think it's the pure 80's cheese: the raw patriotic propaganda, the glitz and glamour, all that. I love it too.

A M E N !!

[LupinIV]

i think it's important to distinguish between the "hey-it's-a-new-rocky-flick-after-20yrs-gotta-love-the-cheese-it-was-great" type novelty critiquing and the actual critique of its artistic/entertainment merits in the context of its predecessors and as a stand-alone piece of cinema.

i also "enjoyed" it as a new rocky installment, but must admit it was seriously lacking in substance compared to the others, in various ways.

for example, (1) new "love interest" - totally uninteresting, contrived, and uncalled for, rocky's "grieving for adrian" but robbing cradles now?; (2) sluggish pacing compared to all other rockies, did sly think we'd care about dogs while other characters got shorted, after 20+ years; (3) catastrophically underdeveloped son character- this is adrian's legacy and they just made him out as a bytchy side character, could have made him a solid family character like paulie (in the vein of sopranos), the kid hasnt learned much since rocky5; (4) mason dixon was pretty much a who-cares type of villain/opponent, he was neither evil nor noble, not to mention visually boring, a travesty after apollo-clubber-drago, made tommy gunn look exciting; (5) should have fleshed out good ol paulie over that phony "girlfriend"; (6) what on earth was that wannabe tough guy kid in this movie for?? i just sat there thinking 'wow, is this how stallone expresses rocky's sweet paternal instincts?' all the while his son is non-existent, lame!; (7) weird flat punch thuds that were supposed to be "realistic"; (8) sloppy storytelling- mr promoter walks in, hypes to rocky, rocky says jeez i dunno, cut to press conference, c'mon!; (9) criminally short training sequence- this was the most summary, uninvolved training montage, cmon! rocky's all about the montages, remember the eye of the tiger/ferrari/russia montages?!; (10) my god, no new cool musical themes?? i guess we have to dust off our rocky4 cassettes; (11) was coming out to sinatra supposed to be cute/funny/ edgy/irreverent, what? sounded plain corny and un-climactic; (12) gimmicky final fight sequence filming but pedestrian fight choreography; (13) draws at the end, then movie simply fizzles out..... (14) good lord, what was that weird credit sequence thing all about, kinda tacky, they have to be very judicious with the use of such sequences

honestly, V was bad but this VI wasnt much better. it was better, but only marginally id say. i mean it wasnt a razzie nominee or anything, but found it hard to believe that rock's goin out like that.

[LupinIV]

They brought back the "dumb" Rocky. In Rocky IV (which I really enjoy), Stallone plays Rocky as a lot more cagey and cunning than the dumb-guy-with-a-big-heart that was in the original (and 2nd). The RockyIV Rocky is a lot closer to Stallone's characters in his other films (like Rambo, Cobra, etc). I don't know if Stallone was taking all the personal criticism to himself as being "dumb" to heart, and tried to smarten up his character, but it's a striking contrast to the Rocky we see in 1, 2, and now 6. I prefer the "dumb on the surface" Rocky myself, he's more endearing

great observation. rockyIV rock was very ramboish, tangoandcashish, slickster stallone. the slow one is the real rocky.

[JohnR_IN_LA]

for example, (1) new "love interest" - totally uninteresting, contrived, and uncalled for, rocky's "grieving for adrian" but robbing cradles now?;

Wait, since when did old fighters start turning down sweet, down to earth younger women? I thought that part was very realistic.

(2) sluggish pacing compared to all other rockies, did sly think we'd care about dogs while other characters got shorted, after 20+ years; (3) catastrophically underdeveloped son character- this is adrian's legacy and they just made him out as a bytchy side character, could have made him a solid family character like paulie (in the vein of sopranos), the kid hasnt learned much since rocky5;

Again ... i thought it dealt with very realistic issues ....


(4) mason dixon was pretty much a who-cares type of villain/opponent, he was neither evil nor noble, not to mention visually boring, a travesty after apollo-clubber-drago, made tommy gunn look exciting;

I kind of liked that he wasnt demonized, most fighters are pretty regular people (with some notable infamous exceptions ).

Times change, Rocky grows old, Rocky movies slow down ... lol its all good.

[FredProgGH]

Wait, since when did old fighters start turning down sweet, down to earth younger women? I thought that part was very realistic.


In fact, correct me if I'm wrong but I don't remember if the movie even implied that they really moved beyond a rather platonic sort of relationship. I certainly don't remember a big love scene, which is something most movies would have made a big deal out of.

[Laserfan]

I certainly don't remember a big love scene...That is, of course, because there wasn't one. Rocky didn't fall for her; she wasn't a "love interest" at all--she was just someone from his past that he wanted to do something good for. And he in turn was a father figure to her.

To anyone who doesn't agree with me, I say "screw you creepo!!!" ;) :D

[FredProgGH]

That is, of course, because there wasn't one. Rocky didn't fall for her; she wasn't a "love interest" at all--she was just someone from his past that he wanted to do something good for. And he in turn was a father figure to her.


That's the way I read it. I think the movie left it open that in time things might develop further but Rock was taking things very slowly and respectfully and indeed it's quiet possible that they never went past that paternal sort of stage- we'll never know! :p If anything though the film's main weakness IMO was it that made it WAY too obvious that Rocky wasn't over Adrian until the catharsis of the fight so it might be that at the end of the movie he was ready to hit on her *lol*

[Laserfan]

...it might be that at the end of the movie he was ready to hit on [li'l Marie] *lol*Ha, ha, good one! Indeed, my guess is, especially with all that left-over adrenaline, Rocky got laid that very night! :D

Oops, I can't believe I said that in a public forum... :eek: