Rocky Balboa

Rocky Balboa was apparently made by Stallone to essentially fix the mistake that was Rocky V, which did not leave the series on a high note. That is a most understandable endeavor and continues the Stallone/Rocky narrative as both Rocky and Stallone attempt to make a later in life comeback through this film. Now this film is the far more successful return to the style of the original Rocky than was Rocky V. It has a lot more honesty, a lot more heart, and a lot more proper affection for the original than was found in that film. This film though on the whole very much feels like just a tender epilogue to the other films. Everything about it is very quiet, subdued and to the point. Fitting to age I suppose as even the traditional montage and training sequence is pretty low key. It is all more than effective though in this rather calm approach right down to the emotional beats, which again are pretty subdued yet entirely work for an aged man who has come to terms with his life. This approach I will say limits the film from ever becoming anything too notable, but it also keeps it on solid ground throughout. This to the point that even the pro boxer who plays the opponent is just fine, since Stallone purposefully doesn't stress his acting abilities much. Nothing about the film is up to the best of Rocky, but it works as just a fond trip down memory lane.
3.5/5