 |  | Get Showtimes... |
Review #353 of 365
Movie Review of Rocky Balboa (2006) [PG] 102 minutes
WIP™ Scale: (1st viewing $13.00 + 2nd viewing $11.00) / 2 = $12.00
Where Viewed: United Artists Denver Pavilions Stadium 15, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 31 December 2006
Time: 10:40 p.m.
Film's Official Website
DVD Release Date: unscheduled
Directed by: Sylvester Stallone (Rocky IV)
Written by: Sylvester Stallone (Cliffhanger)
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Sylvester Stallone (Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over) • Burt Young (Transamerica) • Antonio Tarver (debut) • Geraldine Hughes (Duplex) • Milo Ventimiglia ("Heroes")
Related Soundtrack: Download now from 
— or — order the CD below
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
Warning: This is a spoiler review for Rocky Balboa. To read a non-spoiler review, click here.
Rocky's back! In this second review for Rocky Balboa (with spoilers allowed), it's safe to start by saying, when you see it a second time, you notice things you missed the first time—isn't that always the case? While a second viewing definitely rekindles a love for Rocky, the film also seems a little more contrived and less exciting as the first—which is partly to be expected. Nonetheless, truly great movies should hold up well to a second viewing—this one does not (except, as I say, in the area of reminding us how much we used to love Rocky).
The first time through, it's like reuniting with an old friend, catching up, realizing it's been a long, long time, since we'd seen each other, and being mesmerized to a degree or transfixed on the changes. It's easy to forget, therefore, what's the same. A second viewing reveals a formulaic plot with some extended scenes that were clumsy and awkward at best. As much as I enjoyed Milo Ventimiglia the first time through, the second time, he seems like he's whining through the first half of the film and then just stern all through the second half. He never looks like he's enjoying the experience. With the exception of Sylvester Stallone himself, the rest of the actually, upon a second viewing, looks a lot like they are sleepwalking through their roles and, maybe, there are a lot of other places they might rather be. Also, sadly, as much as I loved the music the first time through, there are parts when the classic rocky themes seem to fall hopelessly into the category of elevator music.
In nearly every way that I enjoyed the first time through I was boggled the second. I couldn't stand Paulie (Burt Young). I kept waiting for him to choke on over-cooked pasta. Little Marie (Geraldine Hughes) seemed like a stuffed shirt most of the time. When is the ice queen going to melt? What does Rocky have to do to get her to thaw? As for her son, Steps (James Francis Kelly III) this time I wanted an explanation for why he was called that. Also, this time Rocky's joke about leaving his card on the 'steps' didn't seem so much funny as almost off color. Is it a good idea to make a joke about the name of the kid of the woman you are wooing. And, was he wooing her? This time I wasn't sure. Clearly, he's not over Adrian, but this time I got the sense that he was trying to be a father figure to Steps (he gets them a shared dog and let's Steps name it Punchy), he gives him a job at the restaurant, etc. What's that all about? Why does he feel obligated to help out Little Marie and Steps. This time, not knowing that, kind of bothered me. As far as the antagonist, Mason Dixon (Antonio Tarver) goes, the first time he comes across as just plain arrogant. The second time he comes across as a stereotyped, cardboard, obnoxious punk. He deserves to lose the fight.
Another thing that comes screaming across the second time around that seems less obtrusive the first time around is the product placement. HBO® Pay-Per-View, ESPN®, Mandalay Bay Casino, it just goes on and on. I am all for realism, but this excessive level of product placement was over the top. Honestly, I couldn't wait for the film to end this time around. So, where does that leave you? See Rocky Balboa, but only see it once! And if you are an older or ailing past sports hero, don't let people use you for their photo opportunities. That's just low.
|
The first time through, it's like reuniting with an old friend, catching up, realizing it's been a long, long time, since we'd seen each other, and being mesmerized to a degree or transfixed on the changes. It's easy to forget, therefore, what's the same. A second viewing reveals a formulaic plot with some extended scenes that were clumsy and awkward at best. As much as I enjoyed Milo Ventimiglia the first time through, the second time, he seems like he's whining through the first half of the film and then just stern all through the second half. He never looks like he's enjoying the experience. With the exception of Sylvester Stallone himself, the rest of the actually, upon a second viewing, looks a lot like they are sleepwalking through their roles and, maybe, there are a lot of other places they might rather be. Also, sadly, as much as I loved the music the first time through, there are parts when the classic rocky themes seem to fall hopelessly into the category of elevator music.
|
In nearly every way that I enjoyed the first time through I was boggled the second. I couldn't stand Paulie (Burt Young). I kept waiting for him to choke on over-cooked pasta. Little Marie (Geraldine Hughes) seemed like a stuffed shirt most of the time. When is the ice queen going to melt? What does Rocky have to do to get her to thaw? As for her son, Steps (James Francis Kelly III) this time I wanted an explanation for why he was called that. Also, this time Rocky's joke about leaving his card on the 'steps' didn't seem so much funny as almost off color. Is it a good idea to make a joke about the name of the kid of the woman you are wooing. And, was he wooing her? This time I wasn't sure. Clearly, he's not over Adrian, but this time I got the sense that he was trying to be a father figure to Steps (he gets them a shared dog and let's Steps name it Punchy), he gives him a job at the restaurant, etc. What's that all about? Why does he feel obligated to help out Little Marie and Steps. This time, not knowing that, kind of bothered me. As far as the antagonist, Mason Dixon (Antonio Tarver) goes, the first time he comes across as just plain arrogant. The second time he comes across as a stereotyped, cardboard, obnoxious punk. He deserves to lose the fight.
|
Another thing that comes screaming across the second time around that seems less obtrusive the first time around is the product placement. HBO® Pay-Per-View, ESPN®, Mandalay Bay Casino, it just goes on and on. I am all for realism, but this excessive level of product placement was over the top. Honestly, I couldn't wait for the film to end this time around. So, where does that leave you? See Rocky Balboa, but only see it once! And if you are an older or ailing past sports hero, don't let people use you for their photo opportunities. That's just low.
Back to Top | W.I.P. Scale™ | Most Recently Reviewed Films | Films of 2005 | Films of 2006
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring Rocky Balboa (2006)
Cast Members
Sylvester Stallone
• Burt Young • Antonio TarverGeraldine Hughes
• Milo VentimigliaWriter / Director
Sylvester Stallone
| Soundtrack | PS2 | DVD Set |
| Related Product | Related Product | Related Product |
| Rocky Balboa Baseball Cap | Rocky Balboa Baseball Cap |
| Rocky Balboa Coffee Mug | Rocky Balboa Memorabilia Set |
Rocky Balboa (2006) Review-lite [150-word cap]
Candidly, having ceased following the Rocky series after the first one, there was now way to know what to expect from Rocky Balboa. Who is intrigued to see how Sylvester Stallone might bring Rocky back for a sixth time. Most compelling, there is much about the return of Balboa that overlaps with the return to the big screen of writer / director / actor Stallone himself. Where the previous Rocky films were limited this one shines as the sports legends becomes a cliché: they are 'put out to pasture', become 'dinosaurs', hear 'been there, done that'. With the passing of Adrian, Rocky spends his evenings telling stories of his glory days to mesmerized diners in his little restaurant. Mr. Stallone has written and directed a careful and loving tribute to his characters and created a film that is sentimental, loyal, and unforgiving adding to the Rocky legend in an inspirational way.
No comments:
Post a Comment