Rocky Balboa

Rocky Balboa is a dementedly simple but pleasantly honest and modest little film about a washed-up boxer who still has something to say, and not just with his fists. The film’s prelude is a bit drawn out and, conversely, the climax is rushed, but *nostalgia* has its indisputable weight of likability, which irons out a lot of the wrinkles. Sly Stallone managed to do the same thing that his hero did – he didn’t make a great comeback, but he acquitted himself with dignity. (02/02/2007)

The idea of the whole movie is a little far fetched, but it has its interesting points. You can’t help feeling a certain trepidation. However, from the very beginning it’s clear that their trepidation is unfounded. All the sentimental roaming around Philadelphia, his long contemplation, looking back on life, telling time-proven truths all seem sincere. It is a very personal picture that Sly put his “heart" into and that makes it all the more endearing. In fact, this is evident to the point that almost nobody will see anybody else than him himself in the role of Rocky. What significantly damages the movie is the boxing match itself. For one thing, it seems somehow superfluous here, it’s shot strangely, lacks energy and is overall uninteresting. Which, in view of the fact that it takes up the whole last third of the playing time, is displeasing. But the worst thing are the final credits. They are indescribable hell. Even so, meeting up with Rocky Balboa at the beginning of the autumn of his life isn’t boring, it’s old-fogey agreeable and surprisingly not at all ridiculous. If I were Stallone I would leave my boxing gloves hanging on their hook from now on. After all those years of service they have earned a good rest. (12/01/2008)

Sly returned to the role of Rocky after sixteen years, thirty years after he filmed the first movie. Right from the beginning, it completely got me and I realized how beautiful the story of Rocky and Adrian is. It's a beautiful romance, completely ordinary, but it shows the wonderful harmony between a man and a woman. They weren't a perfect Hollywood couple, but they were a perfect movie couple. They argued, but they never stopped loving each other. Just for that, this series is wonderful. With the sixth film, Sly gave it the right, beautiful, and incredibly sad ending. The giant returned and showed that what he created had a purpose. And it still has a purpose. The sixth film touched me incredibly. Sly made a beautiful tribute and a full-fledged continuation at the same time. There is nothing more to add. (19/03/2014)

A legend like Rocky Balboa could hardly have asked for a better retirement. More than ever, Stallone gave me the impression that he literally connected with Rocky, imprinting him with heart and soul, and it shows not only in his great performance, but especially in his sensitive and sincere direction. The film is a beautiful depiction of perseverance, indomitable desire, and the power of friendship, and though the story takes a predictable and well-trodden path, it still manages to strap us firmly into our seats and knock us off our feet at the end. I enjoyed it, plus I definitely figured out who Stallone's most famous and best movie character is: the Italian Stallion Rocky Balboa. 4.5* (02/10/2012)

He got hit and got to his feet. He got another one and got up again. And again. And again. It may seem like a simple idea to some, and it is simple, but it is also important. Sylvester Stallone returned to old familiar ground with Rocky in the previous installment, in which he also had trouble with his son and also had to fight again... But neither the audience nor he himself were satisfied with the film, and so after sixteen years a remake was made. Luckily. It is a more than worthy conclusion to the whole saga, which is not drowning in nostalgia, melancholy or tears, and although it is sad, it is also full of hope. Four and a half. (10/01/2016)