Synopsis

Thirty years ago he was a man with no future, working for a small time loan shark on the South Side of Philadelphia. When blind luck landed him the chance to enter the ring against reigning champ Apollo Creed, it was the million to one shot of a lifetime. And all he wanted was to go the distance. His courage and perseverance, both in life and in the ring, gave hope to millions. Now, glory has come and gone and Rocky Balboa, the one-time Italian Stallion, spends his evenings telling old stories to the patrons of his restaurant, Adrian’s, named after his late wife, whom he quietly mourns. In his heart, he’s still a fighter. Mason 'The Line' Dixon is the reigning heavyweight champion, but he's unpopular. The fans don't respect him. Then a TV sports show screens a computer simulated fight matching Dixon against Rocky Balboa in his prime. The result is a surprise. Rocky is the winner. Dixon's manager then proposes the two fighters meet in a televised exhibition match. Rocky stuns everyone. He'll fight one more time.

What The Critics Say

"Rocky Balboa is the best Rocky movie since the original and a fitting final (we hope) tribute to one of the great American movie characters." Robert W Butler KANSAS CITY STAR "There's no contest. Stallone scores a KO." Michael Elliott MOVIE PARABLES "... you can't help liking the big galoot." Andrew O'Hehir SALON.COM "Sylvester Stallone has made the best "Rocky" film since the original." Edward Havens FILMJERK.COM "Rocky Balboa works." Devin Faraci CHUD "Just as he did back in 1976, Rocky--and by extension Stallone himself--is climbing into the ring as a man with something to prove. And for the first time in thirty years, you just might find yourself cheering him on." Ethan Alter PREMIERE MAGAZINE

"It's actually the best Rocky movie since the original -- a fitting and triumphant final chapter for one of the most iconic characters in the history of motion pictures." Richard Roeper CHICAGO SUN-TIMES "The sixth and probably final film in the famed Rocky series is perhaps the best of the lot." Robert Roten LARAMIE MOVIE SCOPE "Stallone doesn't embarrass himself nor his fans...it's pretty good." John Venable SUPERCALA.COM "It's not going to get any better than this." Phil Villarreal ARIZONA DAILY STAR "...like its hero, it has a great heart." Carrie Rickey PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER "This is a masterpiece of a sequel. And for the sixth entry in the series, that is really saying something. Sly, you've done it! The big guy goes out fighting." Clint Morris MOVIEHOLE

Rocky! Rocky! Rocky! Rocky. The origins of the Rocky iconography are well documented. Sylvester Stallone was a struggling actor and writer when he watched the Chuck Wepner-Muhammed Ali fight, a match in which club fighter Wepner nearly went the distance against the great Ali. Stallone, unemployed and broke, was so impressed by the miraculous performance that he sat down and wrote Rocky. Stallone identified so much with the script that he refused to sell it unless he would be cast in the title role. The studios wanted the big stars of the day: Burt Reynolds, Ryan O’Neal, James Caan. They could not imagine bankrolling an unknown actor with an unlikely name. Against all advice and prevailing wisdom, Stallone stuck to his guns, and today it’s virtually impossible to imagine anyone else in the part. Some call it the best boxing film ever made, but what elevated Rocky in the eyes of critics and audiences alike is that it’s about real people in everyday desperate situations who long for something better. Even without boxing, the story has almost universal relevance including the romance between Rocky (an enforcer for a loan shark by day and a semi-pro boxer by night) and the shy Adrian Pennino (a quiet pet store clerk). Stallone, like Rocky, dared to dream in the face of overwhelming odds and rose instantly from obscurity to worldwide acclaim. The extraordinary writing, directing and acting in Rocky moved the audience to root for all the characters, not just the guy who has to step into the ring. It is that spirit that bonds the first film to the last. The film grossed $117,235,247 in the USA. The film, made for only $US1.2 million won three Oscars, including Best Picture. The films main theme song "Gonna Fly Now" was number 1 on the Billboard Magazines Hot 100 list from July 2nd to July 8th 1977. Stallone would go on to write the screenplays for five more "Rocky" films and direct four "Rocky" films (Rocky II, III, IV and Rocky Balboa).
Rocky II, released in 1979, reunited Stallone in the title role with Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers and Burgess Meredith. Rocky and champ Apollo Creed get a ring rematch and both Rocky and his wife Adrian fight for their lives in different arenas. Particularly memorable is the boxing that climaxes the picture directed by Sylvester Stallone, who, simply put, knows Rocky better than anyone in the world. Around 800 school children are estimated to have been used for the scene depicting Rocky's run through Philadelphia. The film took $US85 million in the USA and over $US200 million worldwide.
Rocky III, released in 1982, again starred Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Burgess Meredith and Carl Weathers, with the addition of Mr T as his younger opponent, Clubber Lang. A new twist on the winning formula has the Italian Stallion trained by his former foe Apollo Creed after being dethroned by an obnoxious fighter. Made soft by success, Rocky has to dig deep to find motivation to stay on top. Stallone directed this chapter of the story, which featured the Academy Award-nominated original song, "Eye Of The Tiger". The song was written specifically for the movie, and is based on a line of the film's dialogue. It went on to become an internation hit. The film grossed $US$122,823,200 in the USA. Rocky IV, released in 1985, starred Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Carl Weathers, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Brigitte Nielsen, Michael Pataki and James Brown under Stallone’s direction. It was thought to be the final edition in the franchise. Dolph Lundgren played Ivan Drago, a strong Soviet fighter who is convinced he can defeat any American fighter. A retired Apollo takes up the challenge and is killed in the ring by him. Rocky, despite his wife Adrian urging him not to, avenges a friend's death and fights for American Glory against a superhuman Russian champ, traveling to Siberia to train like his opponent. Rocky wins but is stripped of his title. The film grossed US$127.8 million in the USA and $US300.4 million worldwide.
Rocky V, was released in 1990. It saw the return of Academy Award ® winning director John G Avildsen. It starred Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Sage Stallone, Burgess Meredith, Tommy Morrison and Richard Gant. The Italian Stallion is back in the old Philly neighborhood and trains a promising young fighter who turns out to be in ingrate. Against overpowering odds and despite diminished powers, Rocky lays it all on the line to risk another bout. In the film, real life boxer Tommy Morrison played Tommy Gunn, a young boxer trained by Rocky. The film grossed $US40.9 million in the USA and $US119.9 million Worldwide. Stallone recently described the film as "a failed fifth installment."
Rocky Balboa, released in 2006, stars Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, Geraldine Hughes, Milo Ventimiglia, Antonio Tarver, and is the third Rocky film to be directed by Stallone. Rocky's wife has died. He's still mourning her loss and driving Paulie mad by revisiting all the old places he and Adrian spent time at. During a broadcast of the TV show "Then and Now" hosted by Brian Kenny, a computer generated fight between Rocky and Mason 'The Line' Dixon shows Rocky would have, in his prime, beaten the highly unpopular current champ. Fifty Nine year old Rocky, a widower, who owns and operates an Italian restaurant in Philadelphia called "Adrian's", ends up being offered a 'friendly' exhibition match. One more fight. The only principal actor to travel the entire arc with Rocky is Paulie, played by Burt Young, who was honored with an Academy Award ® nomination for creating the role. Also participating in all six rounds of the record-breaking series is former fighter Tony Burton, who began as Apollo Creed’s corner man before moving to Rocky’s corner. The character Marie, played in "Rocky" as a young girl by Jodie Letitizia, reappears in this installment. Now a grown woman, Marie, a bartender is played by Geraldine Hughes. In the original film, Rocky had a dog named Butkus. In this film he has a dog named Punchy. The dogs name was chosen by Jodie's son, 'Steps' (short for Stephenson). 'Steps' and Rocky's now grownup son Robert 'Rocky Jr' are Rocky's cornermen in the exhibition match. Since the "Rocky" franchise started, four active professional boxers have appeared in the six editions. Joe Frazier ("Rocky"), Roberto Duran ("Rocky II"), Tommy Morrison ("Rocky V") and Antonio Tarver ("Rocky Balboa"), who by the way, accidently knocked out Stallone during filming. Sylvester Stallones brother entertainer Frank Stallone (a veteran of 43 amateur boxing bouts) is featured on the films soundtrack performing "Take You Back". He tours with his own orchestra and his style is reminiscent of his idol Frank Sinatra. The Inside Story Way back in 1976, MGM released a low budget film based on a script written by Sylvester Stallone, starring Sylvester Stallone and directed by Sylvester Stallone. It captured the heart and soul of cinemagoers all over the world. Suddenly this sleeper found itself nominated for ten Academy ® Awards. "Rocky" took three Oscars ® home that night: Best Picture, Best Editing (Richard Halsey and Scott Conrad) and best director (John G Avildsen). Through five sequels, in theatrical revivals and home entertainment releases over a period of thirty years, the film has continued to attract new generations of fans. "It’s humbling to see how Rocky has affected so many people over the years," Stallone says. "I think that the people who have been so supportive and loyal will be happy with the final chapter in Rocky Balboa’s life because I think we bring the character to a final and noble conclusion." The theme for the 'final' film in the story of Rocky Balboa is: 'anything is possible if you believe enough.' "It'’s a pretty universal dream to try to rise up and take your best shot at life," says Stallone. "You may not totally be successful but at least you had the chance. I think that’s the biggest frustration a lot of people have in their own lives, never getting their shot." For Stallone, that shot was to find the right story to bookend the franchise. "Sylvester was a man on a mission," says "De-Lovely" producer Charles Winkler. "He wanted it to end on the right note, a story that could make you a believer again." Producer William Chartoff notes, "Rocky has never really left Sylvester's system. To him, it was unfinished business, just as it is the character’s legion of fans around the world. Though "Rocky Balboa" is really the last sequel, in many ways it’s the most like the original." The film takes Rocky back to it's roots. "He’s literally back where he was at the beginning, all alone, except he has lost his naiveté," says Stallone. "He’s very worldly. There’s a certain calm about him. He carries himself with a weight on his shoulders but with that also comes a kind of enlightenment. He knows more and tries to convey more. He doesn’t have as big a chip on his shoulder that he had." So what is Rocky's problem? "He has had all the glory he’s ever wanted, but his wife has died; his son has moved on. Everything he thought was the ultimate dream is gone and now he’s just alone," says Stallone. "Rocky has terrible hurt, awful anger, and he doesn’t know how to get rid of it," says Burt Young who has played Paulie in all six films. "That’s what this movie is about. About all us characters standing in empty rooms, trying to fill them up somehow." Rocky is also trying to reach out to his son Robert Balboa Jr. Robert is constantly living in his father's shadow. Milo Ventimiglia (TV'S "Gilmour Girls" and "Heroes") who plays Robert notes, "He's got to turn things around but he needs the people he loves at his side. And they’re not there. This film really connects emotionally with the first one. They’re both simple, human stories." In the original "Rocky" the character of Marie was played by Jodie Letitizia. Marie, you will remember was the young girl who called out, "Screw you, creep", after Rocky walked her home. In "Rocky Balboa" Marie returns as a single mum, working as a bartender. On screen there appears to be a 'connection' between the two. "Marie and Rocky do have a beautiful journey together in the story," Irish-born actress Geraldine Hughes says, "but it’s not romantic. They’re completely alone in their lives. Marie feels invisible and Rocky takes the time to stop and see her, then take her along on his new adventure." Rocky also strikes a friendship with Marie's son, 'Steps'. "He starts to mentor her in a sense, to protect her," says Stallone. "And he starts to show her kid a little bit of attention and this kid begins to blossom. So, in a way, Rocky’s grief also brings about some good things." "Steps is slow to trust, and when he first sees Rocky he thinks only the worst," says James Patrick Kelly III. "But pretty soon he realizes Rocky’s not a bad guy and actually kind of cool." Rocky is enticed back to his boxing roots after a sports show telecasts a computer generated fight between a Rocky in his prime and the current champ, Mason 'The Line' Dixon. "Rocky sees that and the light bulb goes off," explains Stallone. "He says, 'Wow, I can do something I love. And I’d rather do something I love badly than to feel bad about not doing it.' But that effort brings all this wrath down on him, the humiliation, the prejudice, the stereotype about age. Even his son says he’s just making them both look bad." Stallone initially wanted boxer Roy Jones Jr for the role but when he didn't bother returning Stallone's phone calls Antonio Taveras got the nod. "If you’re going to go around one last time why not end it with a real fighter," says Stallone, "someone who doesn’t have the benefit of the magic of choreography? Antonio can really fight and he went in there with a great deal of practice to throw a reckless amount of punches." The two end up in what is supposed to be a 'friendly' exhibition match which is anything but 'friendly'. "For the first time in his life the champion has to prove that he has more inside, that he has been carried and protected and now he’s exposed", Stallone notes. It's a grand battle with a surprise result. Overall "Rocky Balboa" is one surprise after another. It is very well done and a great finish for the "Rocky" franchise. The Verdict "You have to give it to Sylvester Stallone. All the kudos that is! "Rocky Balboa", the final installment in the journey of the 'Italian Stallion' is a real winner. Stallone sets the film up exceptionally well and I'm sure cinemagoers, who will flock to the film in droves, will have a 'wicked' time. For many, the film will evoke feelings of pride and admiration for this iconic film character who, way back in 1976 was brought to the bigscreen by a young Stallone who refused to give up his dream too. Whether you're a fan of the original or not, this is one film not to be missed. A chance to go one more fight as the chant goes up and the Rocky theme springs to mind. Life couldn't be grander. Rocky! Rocky! Rocky! Very recommended. 4 STARS." Cast & Crew Bytes "ROCKY BALBOA" stars .......
Burt Young ["Chinatown", "Betsy's Wedding", "Mickey Blue Eyes" and "Transamerica"]; Milo Ventimiglia ["Speedway Junky", "Nice Guys Finish Last" and "Dirty Deeds"]; Geraldine Hughes ["St. Patrick's Day", "Filet of 4" and "Duplex"]; James Francis Kelly III ["Rocky Balboa"]; Antonio Tarver ["Rocky Balboa"]; Pedro Lovell ["Rocky"]; Tony Burton ["Assault on Precinct 13", "Rocky I, II & V", "The Shining" and "Knockout"] and Sylvester Stallone ["Tango & Cash", "Cliffhanger", "Assassins", "Cop Land" and "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over"] as Rocky Balboa.
"ROCKY BALBOA" was .......
directed by Sylvester Stallon ["Paradise Alley" and "Staying Alive"]; screenplay by Sylvester Stallon ["The Lords of Flatbush", "Rhinestone", "Cobra", "Rambo I, II & III" and "Cliffhanger"]; production design by Franco-Giacomo Carbone ["Cabin Fever", "Wonderland" and "Hostel"]; director of photography J Clark Mathis ["Isle of Lesbos", "The Perfect Score" and "Happy Endings"]; original music by ASCAP Golden Soundtrack Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Bill Conti ["Paradise Alley", "Private Benjamin", "For Your Eyes Only", "The Coolangatta Gold" and "The Thomas Crown Affair"]; edited by Sean Albertson ["Shoot the Moon", "Johnny Skidmarks" and "Nobody's Children"]; costume design Gretchen Patch ["The Mask" and "The Royal Tenenbaums"]. Run Time 102 minutes Rated M [AUST] Copyright ©2007 - MGM Pictures - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2007 - Impact Internet Services & The Movie Pages - All Rights Reserved