Day 64: July 3rd, 2010

Rocky Balboa



Manages to right some wrongs with the series and gives a proper goodbye.

Rocky Balboa owns a restaurant called Adrians, named after his wife who has passed away. Touching, the love interest in his life, whom I never really did care for is now out of the picture. He's old now and lives his life telling old boxing stories to his customers. His son has the unfortunate task of living in his shadow, as everywhere Rocky goes people want his autograph. A computer puts a match between Rocky and Mason, the current undefeated heavyweight champion. This match gets people talking and encourages Rocky to come out of retirement for one last time.

Rocky Balboa is a perfect ending to the series and for the Rocky character. The film takes us back to that era when people were chanting that name and running up those stairs. The film feels like your sitting down with a bunch of friends and recounting the fun times you've had and places you've went. We know and love the character and it's sad to see him where he is today, with all his glory in the past. Much like when we look at our own past, our own glory days.

Balboa feels more gritty and real then the previous films. The fight isn't as heightened as III or IV. A little too real if you ask me. The climatic fight scene is short and no where near as suspenseful as one would hope for. I get it though, rocky is pass his prime and the film feels more real, this is evident in the fight. Rocky doesn't take a beating and he doesn't give a beating either. The Rocky films were set in an obtuse reality. Watch the Rocky vs Drago fight to see what I'm talking about. So to see the series end like this, seems like a radical change, but a truthful one at the same time.

Balboa packs the most emotion since the original Rocky film. The film isn't really about boxing, or overcoming great odds, or avenging the death of a friend. It's more about Rocky's life after his success. The fifth film failed at this, miserably. People will like this movie because it has the exact same feeling as the original. Films 2 through 5 had Rocky at the height of his fame. He was in his prime, had the title shot and defended the belt. Now, much like the original where he was a nobody, Rocky is too old and is considered a joke in the eye of the media.

Fans of the series will not be disappointed, I wasn't. Much like the title character, its audience has also grown older. We are right there with Rocky remembering the good old days with Adrian. Stallone is indeed getting older and it is more evident here than ever before. Here he shows some of that talent we saw in the original. Where did it go? It took 5 more films to come back.

The films so called villain, Mason Dixon, is no where near any other opponent Rocky has faced. With the likes of Apollo Creed, Thunderlips, Clubber Lang, Ivan Drago. Gixon and Tommy Gunn are almost interchangeable. The character has no qualities about him that make him stand out at all. Again, this can only be counted for the "reality" that this film is set in. If you want to see a Rocky film with a Million Dollar Baby undertone, Rocky Balboa is the film you want to see. If you walk in expecting unrealistic fights, vibrant colours and over the top villains, Rocky Balboa will disappoint.

The series was getting tiring and was considered dead. Balboa is the perfect revival and send off to it. Balboa features the classic training scenes and theme song and will give you goose bumps like the old days. Rocky and Stallone have finally let that beast out from within. Stallone can now feel content that the series has a proper ending and if you're the kind of person with an emotional heart, you may even shed a tear. I recommend Balboa for those who want one last match with the 'Italian Stallion'.

6.5/10

Day 63: July 2nd, 2010

Rocky V




Well, the good luck train had to end somewhere.

Without a doubt, the most hated film in the entire series. There is good reason for it too.

Rocky retires and goes bankrupt from some misfortune with his accountant. Retired, he decides to train a young boxer, Tommy Gunn. They go on to win a bunch of matches, but Gunn betrays Rocky and then they fight.

So, with the previous films Rocky fought man, beast, and machine. Creed, Lang and Drago. Here we fights Tommy Gunn. Now, we know he is a good boxer, we have seen that, but why is it that he has no charisma or is nearly as memorable as the other fighters? It's because he is a real boxer. It's easier to train an actor to box than it is a boxer to act. While the other fighters are deemed iconic in the series, Tommy Gunn is looked upon as a wimp, a nobody and a loser.

Gone is the ring, say hello to the streets. Rocky V tries to change things up a bit, but change is not always good. Gone is the excitement, gone is the tension and suspense, gone are all the thrills. This film doesn't feel at all like the rest and neither does Rocky himself. In my eyes, this could have been any other film and the last fight scene is by far the worst in the entire series.

Stallone interestingly did not direct this one, instead it was the guy who won the Oscar for Best Director on the first Rocky film. Where is the problem? Is it the script? Is it the director? It's everything, this film is mess and a horrible send off to Rocky Balboa.

His relationship with his kid tries to be interesting, but we don't care. We have lost our love for Rocky. Our admiration, our respect, is all gone. I'm more like Mr. T now, I pity the fool.

3/10

Day 62: July 1st, 2010

Rocky IV



Rocky defeats Communism.

Creed fights a big Russian dude and dies. Rocky cries because he lost yet another friend to boxing circumstance. Rocky agrees to fight this Russian, in Russia of all places and finds the determination and will to win.

This film is utterly ridiculous. Ivan Drago punches at a power level of 2150 psi. One punch to Rocky's head would kill the guy. Yet he keeps on coming like the energizer bunny. While in Russia the Russian fans cheer for the American boxer Rocky. This is the cold war people, I know Americans can be full of themselves sometimes but this is a bit ridiculous. Fans of the sport? Want to support the underdog (is he still considered an underdog now?) Cheer for him after the fight, not during. That damn robot.

With all that said, I love this film.

What? Did you read that right? You did.

It is all because of Ivan Drago, the absolute best thing in the entire series. I loved this guy, his stature is pure determination. The guy is the perfect fighter. Dolph Lundgren explodes onto the scene in a role that defines his career. It's his most memorable role and he barely speaks a word. I admire him and his roles, he has something about him that is likable. My favourite Rocky opponent is without a doubt Ivan Drago.

The rest of the film is ridiculous, but I let it slide. Bad move on my part? Doesn't make sense with everything else I've said about the other films? I don't care. This is my guilty pleasure film of the series. How 'bout that.

More montage of Rocky training, in Russia. His told school methods compared to the new technology that Drago is using. Paulie tells Rocky that is he could be anybody else in this world, it would be him. Touching, Paulie us usually used for bits of comedic relief. He was the guy that was just around. His in Rocky's corner now.

The film focuses less on the characters and their problems and more on the montages, muscles and fighting. I'm fine with that, it's nice to have a fun little break away film in the series. Creed's death isn't as emotional as Mickey's, but we still feel the heat. Drago straight up murders the man and walks away. Bad ass?

If it weren't for Drago, this film would be a lot lower on my rating scale. Take that as you will.

6.5/10

Day 61: June 30th, 2010

Rocky III



Rocky defeats racism.

Third round, here we go. Rocky is defeated by Mr. T because he pities the fool. Mickey dies and Rocky cries. Apollo decides to retrain Rocky, get him back to tip top shape and reclaim his title. Oh yeah, Hulk Hogan makes an appearance.

The third film is a mish-mash of things. Sometimes it's great, sometimes it's awful. The death of Mickey, while emotional for all of us, felt forced in some ways. They needed to push the emotional envelope for the character, it works well in that he losses the fight and has to be trained by another boxer, but I can't shake that feeling that it was used to play with the audience emotions. Mickey, the guy who taught us to eat lightning and crap thunder was gone. His death was laughable, but the emotional baggage brought with it was an interesting aspect to the film.

Rocky fights two entertainment icons. One is the wrestler Hulk Hogan, the scene is suppose to be the two putting on a show, but one takes it more seriously than the other. The second is of course, Mr. T. This film shows Clubber Lang as a dangerous opponent. But also this film shows that it dives right into the campy material. It's freaking Mr. T.

We see the montage, we hear the Eye of the Tiger, all classic moments from the series. The fight scene is well choreographed, but fails to take place in reality. As with each passing film, the fights get less and less believable, all for the sake of entertainment. Each punch sounds like pure movie magic, nothing that would really happen when you punch a guy. The next film does this too. In fact, they all do.

Clubber Lang, cartoon likeness aside, is a great opponent, or villain as they say, for Rocky. Apollo Creed may be the best boxer, but Clubber Lang does the most damage to Rocky. Rocky III is a film that is watchable, with classic moments from the series. If you are a fan of Rocky, this one makes the list.

5.5/10

Day 60: June 29th, 2010

Rocky II



Yo, Adrian! I DID IT!

It's those words and that closing scene alone that make me like this entry. The sequel to the successful Rocky is a bit hit and miss, much like the punches thrown in the ring. How do you follow a box office smash that took home Best Picture? While the sequel doesn't live up to the expectations, it does still hold some of that weight the first one had. The emotions are there, but the start of the campy decline is also here.

Rocky gets a rematch in this film and has to struggle supporting his family as well. The story of Rocky didn't need to continue, but it does, many times. Stallone wrote the script again and this time took the directing chair too. He went on to direct 3 other films in this series as well. Kudos to the man, he managed to make Rocky the success it is today.

The fight sequence in this film is more heightened than the last, all to make it more entertaining. It looses it's visceral and emotional weight that it desperately needed. You know Rocky is going to win, he can't lose twice in two films.

Those that expect another Rocky triumph might be a tad disappointed. The film is good enough for a recommendation though, it manages to continue the story well enough and give more insight into the character that is Rocky Balboa. He might look dumb and act dumb, but he has heart and that is what is needed to win over an audience.

6/10

Day 59: June 28th, 2010

Rocky



Meet the "Italian Stallion".

Rocky is a small time nobody who just wants the chance to prove his guts once, just once. This chance comes to fruition when Rocky gets the opportunity to fight the heavy weight champion.

The first Rocky is without a doubt the best film of the series, although that doesn't mean it's my favourite. The story of a guy who wants to opportunity to prove to himself he can do something like this has given others inspiration, no doubt. The films that have come after this one have gone down the road of campy and gimmicky.

Sly was a nobody at the time, his previous film credit was a porno film. He wrote and starred in this film and for some reason he was really good in it. What happened since then? He fell into the the action star persona. His roles since then haven't required much from him, acting wise, but now that he is older he seems to realize this. Better late than never, although I wouldn't wish that the films he was in to be gone. I got to have my Tango & Cash.

This film has that o-so memorable scene of Rocky running up the Philly stairs with the song "Gonna Fly Now" playing in the background. It's always hard to have a scene in your film that will be remembered years, decades later. This is that scene and one reason why the film itself is good.

He tries to impress the girl of his affections. She is shy and doesn't speak much in the film, he is dumb and admits this. Perfect match? Their relationship is an awkward one, specifically because of the lack of confidence in the Adrian character. This is one problem that glares for me, her performance in this film doesn't do it for me.

In the end, the film is about a guy who is given that one chance to prove what he's got and he gives it his all. It's something that many people want to happen to them and they associate themselves with that character, Rocky.

I'm not going to go into a debate as to which film deserved the Best Picture award that year, this or Taxi Driver. Both films are character driven stories that go in the opposite directions. I think that people needed the uplifting story at the time and Rocky had that.

7.5/10