Sylvester Stallone returns to write, direct, and star in Rocky Balboa…aka, Rocky 6!  Surprisingly this movie really delivers putting a very heartfelt bookend on the series.

 The movie begins with Rocky still struggling with the loss of Adrian and desperate for a relationship with his son.  He is an aged boxer that runs his own Italian restaurant where the patrons enjoy hearing stories about his glory days.  Feeling that he still has some heart left for fighting, he gets his professional boxing license only to be immediately challenged by the current Heavy Weight Champion to an exhibition match.  Cue “Gonna Fly Now!” :)

 If you are a fan of the original this movie is absolutely a “must see.”  I believe the story was incredibly moving and Stallone wrote some of his best and most powerful scenes for this film.  Similar to the first Rocky, he takes his time in the beginning developing, and gives multiple nods to the 1976 original.  The dialogue felt genuine to the character and to the legacy of “Rocky,” and it really put into words what it means to put your heart into something and go the distance in life, not just boxing. 

 So How Does It End?

 Everything about the final fight seemed to be the essence of Rocky’s character.  I loved that he walks into the arena surrounded by people he knows and loves; contrasting his component’s agent and manager.  And while the outcome of the fight was rather predictable, it was truly the best and only fit for this film.  In line with the original, Rocky’s goal was to hang in there until the end, and he does.  His challenger wins by split decision, but Rocky is more than satisfied to have finished, and impresses all of the fans and broadcasters who expected him to go down early.

 Stick around during the credits for a tribute sequence of Philly fans running up the steps and a final shot of Stallone in the snow.

 It was really refreshing to watch a movie take its time with the characters, and deliver a story, not just a fight.  I give it 4 out of 5