It's round 6 of this "Rags to Riches" story...
When I heard Rocky was coming back for a sixth installment I was delighted yet somewhat wary. You see the last couple of years seem to have been a catalyst to bring back the great action stories of the 1980's/1990's. We have seen Bruce Willis don the white vest again for Die Hard 4; Stallone is back as Rambo again; Harrison Ford is dusting down the hat for another adventure as Indiana Jones - the list goes on.
Now as an ardent follower of the Rocky films, I was happy that the over-achiever was coming back for one more round. However, I was also conscious that the last film (Rocky V) had been a major let down. It was therefore reassuring to here Stallone cite this as one of the reasons for making another film.
Rocky and Rocky Junior |
The previous films (Rocky V excluded) have always had a decent storyline behind the action scenes. Rocky was a local bum; he had the odd fight against no-hopers and his boxing career was going nowhere. Then along came Apollo Creed and, well, the rest is history.
Not bad for a 60 year old |
The 6th film opens with a look at the modern day Rocky. He is now on his own, his wife Adrian having died a few years earlier. He runs a local restaurant where he entertains the locals with tales of days gone by. Rocky Junior is grown up and jealous of having to constantly live in his Dad's shadow.
The first hour builds the character back up and allows the audience to truly understand the range of emotions that he has experienced. Then a computer simulation fight between Rocky and the current champ (Mason 'The Line' Dixon) allows Rocky a final chance at glory.
We then get the scenes that make the Rocky films so memorable - the training scenes, the montages and ultimately the fight. With his son back in his corner, Rocky prepares for his final bout - a charity match against Mason Dixon (no title on the line). The boxing scenes are very real - for the first time this was filmed during a real boxing event. Rocky encounters the usual pummeling which no ordinary man could survive but he comes back strong to bring the film to an exciting climax. |
I watched this on DVD and I noticed beforehand that there was an alternative ending in the extras. Now the alternative ending has Rocky winning the fight; the crowd swarm the ring and Rocky is carried out triumphant - it's good but it's too unrealistic.
Thankfully, Stallone chose a more fitting ending for this icon of modern day cinema. As the ring announcer annouces the results (a split decision) Rocky leaves the ring and makes his way to the back, acknowledging the crowd who are entirely focused on him. Dixon gets the judges nod but it is Rocky saluting the crowd, with the theme tune playing that is the most memorable part of the film. As he disappears into the back, you know the curtain has come down on a fictional boxing great.
One last Bout |
A film well worth seeing and a fitting way to end the Rocky Balboa adventure.
Rating (Out of 5 Boxing Gloves) : 4
|
|
