Went to see Rocky Balboa this evening. Don't want to spoil it for anyone yet, so I'll just say that if you're a 'Rocky' lover then you'll definitely enjoy this movie. What I admire about Stallone is that he stays true to his original Rocky characters. In my opinion, nothing beats the original, but this one is better than Rocky IV and Rocky V, and is right up there with Rocky II and Rocky III.


Don Cardi

Can't wait to see it.

Hopefully I can see it this weekend.

I love Stallone because I think that he's so much smarter than people give him credit for, plus he's still pretty hot.

Was that a totally shallow response??

Thanks for the info DC! As you all can probably guess, I'll definitely be seeing it during my Christmas break. :)I've been doing a lot of searching for not just critic's reviews (I don't always agree with critics), but what "ordinary" people think, and so far it's been pretty positive.

One guy summed it up this way (more or less); he said that he had left the theater all pumped up (so to speak) with that "feel good" feeling of "I can do anything", much like the the feel the original Rocky had. Granted, I'm biased, but nonetheless I still am looking forward to seeing this movie.

I couldn't find the page with "people" reviewing the film, but here are some from critics.


http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809278368/critic

Also to DC and I12 (in the other thread), thanks for not giving out any spoilers. I don't know if there are big surprises, but even so, I am one who doesn't like to hear spoilers.

Now, to important matters, what color were Sly's trunks? And how's the bod???

TIS

Yes he is hot!!!

TIS, I can't believe that it took you this long to post in this thread!!

I knew TIS would post in this thread

The Rocky films have been declining in quality since '76, but I'll still see this.

What can I say. I'm looking forward to this movie.

Here's the link I was referring to earlier. SB,DC, check out the "Yahoo Travler" section. It show's part of Philly in the film. I think I see the Italian market area we were in. Right? I do wish now we would have ran up those steps (ok, at least walk up them. :p)

Also for viewers comments, click messages. you'll see everything from "awesome" to "horrible."


http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/rockybalboa.html;_ylt=Ak4KDUDKjkSqidcuQyIalJpfVXcA

TIS

I took my nephew this afternoon and was pleasantly surprised. The movie works because it's not really about boxing, per se, this time around. It's really about the acceptance of growing older. I think for those of us over 40 it really hits close to home.

Well said pizzaBOY

Sorry couldn't resist

TIS, before the movie started I thought of you so I dialed your number to talk to you. But your old number was disconnected obviously because you moved. But I was thinking of you.

Critics? What the hell do critics know about movies? Remember when the original Rocky came out? Most critics gave it one star. All the hollywood big wigs didn't give it a prayer in hell. Heck, almost every big studio laughed at Stallone when he brought them his idea.


Stallone showed them a thing or two, or six for that matter.


You will love this one TIS. Trust me. I know you too well.



Don Cardi

I walked right into that one.

Rocky Balboa ** 1/2
(First Viewing)

In this new installment of the Rocky series, Rocky Balboa returns to the ring to fight the present world champion. It's been many years since Rocky Balboa has been in the ring. Through that time his wife Adrian died of cancer, and he and his son, Rocky Jr., have been growing apart. Rocky owns his own restaurant, and people will come in just to hear his stories. Now ESPN is holding these virtual boxing matches pairing up fighters from different eras, it is a competition. And in the end it showed that if there was a match between "Young" Rocky and the champion Mason "The Line" Dixion, Rocky would win. Seeing this virtual fight makes Rocky remember how much he misses being in the ring. So he re-registers for his license which creates a media firestorm, and who should hear about it but Mason himself. Pay-Per-View won't pay him anymore because they believe that he is fighting all second rate fighters, and that he's a "paper champion". So his people suggest a fight between him and Rocky. The opportunity is brought to Rocky who at first is a little cautious at first, but soon agrees also. Now it is a Battle of the Ages. A true battle of Will v.s. Skill. With the help of Paulie, Tony (his old trainer), and of course his son, it is truly, his final countdown.

The most enjoyable part of the movie is the final fight between Rocky and Dixon because it is so authentic to a HBO Pay-Per-View fight. The camera movement, angles, announcers were all were with care and it showed. Other than that, the first hour or so of the film seem to move rather slow and Mason is never built up as a superior champion/threat so Rocky's fight (in my mind) isn't as great as his past foes.

As a huge fan of Rocky, I'll watch it for sure. Still...well..I don't know...it kind of makes me sad. Heroes should never grow old.

I would rate them as follows

Rocky
Rocky III
Rocky II
Rocky IV
Rocky V (the only really awful one)

Rocky Balboa is getting good reviews and I look forward to seeing it, although I guess I'll miss hearing him say "Yo Adrian!"

As an aside, and this speaks to the hapless fans in Philadelphia...Rocky is NOT A REAL PERSON.

I'm rank them:

1) Rocky IV
2) Rocky II
3) Rocky III
4) Rocky
5) Rocky Balboa
6) Rocky V

Irishman, Irishman. You cannot be serious here. Rocky IV better than the Original Rocky? For that matter any of the other Rockys better than the original? I realize that this is your opinion, but with all due respect, I can't say that I agree with it.

For me it's :

Rocky
Rocky II
Rocky III
Rocky Balboa
Rocky IV
Rocky V


Don Cardi

Yeah, my favorite Rocky is numero quatro. I thought Dolph Lundgren as Captain Ivan Drago was his best and most fierce opponent, the fight sequenes were the best, and I liked the twist of Apollo being killed by this man. Not to mention the fact that Brigitte Nielsen was easy on the eyes when she was only 22 years old when this movie came out.

I agree DC. Although if anyone wanted to rank III in front of II I wouldn't have a problem with it.

That's exactly how I'd rate them!

I saw Rocky Balboa last night. It was the opening night at our theatre, and I got there about two hours early to get tickets, then I came back when it was time for the show. I was able to use my employee discount, and ended up paying nothing and getting two tickets. Me, the kid who loaned me the DVD's (so I could watch the entire series), and another friend; avid Rocky fan, and his girlfriend, all watched the movie. Because of our movie line up at the theatre (it's an 8-plex), the manager put the new Rocky movie in the smallest theatre which only seats 69 people. Needless to say, we sold out (it's the only movie theatre in town), but me and my friends were all able to see this movie.

It was a fine ending to a great set of movies. Rocky V did no justice, but the fact that Stallone came back, and did this one finally gives the Rockys a respectable finale. If you're a fan, this won't be a disappointment. Rocky Balboa did for the Rocky series what Casino Royale did for 007 (a great addition when the past few haven't been the best).

The Sinatra touch was a delight as well..

Clubber Lang would have dropped Drago in Three.

If his fists wouldn't, his mouth would have

I'm pleased with most the reviews I've read. You guys are making me really really anxious to see it. Hopefully in the next few days.

I keep hearing that it ended "appropriately" and read comments like "it was the perfect way to end the series." I don't know exactly what that means, but I have read (before the movie was released) bloggers claim that Rocky dies in the end. However, I've also "heard" that's not the case (thankfully). Don't tell me the ending. I'm just "discussing."


TIS

No way! He would have punched himself out by Round 3 like he did with Rocky. Then Drago would have killed him just like he killed Apolo.

I loved all the sequels but I can honestly say I'm glad that's coming to an end. He's pushing 60 and his body is starting to show it.

I understand he's doing another Rambo movie as well, should be quite interesting.

Oddly enough, I find a 60 year old Rocky more believable than a 60 year old Rambo.

TIS, I watched the movie yesterday. Rocky dies in the end. His son is also killed in a petty street fight. Both are buried to make sure that they do not re-surface to make Rocky-7. Before you kill me with some remote voodoo, I was just joking and I too am eager to see the new rocky

Nice try SVSG!! However, I'm fairly confident that's not how it'll end.

If all goes as planned I'll be seeing it tomorrow before the festivities. Nice way to start a Christmas break I'd say!!



TIS