Rocky Balboa

Rocky Balboa (2006)

Though long retired from boxing, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) returns to the ring for one last hurrah in this drama featuring the iconic action star. Now widowed, Rocky's settled into middle age running a deli. But the former champ misses the sparring life, and he's drawn back into the ring after suffering a personal tragedy. When he's offered a shot at the title, he'll have to go all out to prove he's still got what it takes.

My Two Cents: For all that can be said about Rocky Balboa, perhaps the best is that it provides the kind of fitting closure to the series that Rocky V did not.

NetFlix Rank: Really Liked It
IMDB Rank: 7/10

Further thoughts:

First off, that synopsis is off-base. He runs a restaurant, not a deli. And it's an exhibition, not a title fight.

Anyway... what struck me most about this movie is that it draws its inspiration from its predecessors. And it's not a movie about boxing; it's a movie about family and fulfillment, self-respect and self-determination.

It's probably the most complete Rocky film since the original. And at the very least it wipes away the embarrasment that was Rocky V. We see the former champion ride into the proverbial sunset with a finale that accentuates all that we loved about the diminuitive-yet-courageous hero.