RUTHERFORD ON FILM: ‘Rocky Balboa’: Italian Stallion Flies, Not Soars, in Apparent Franchise Closer
By Tony RutherfordHuntington News Network Critic
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- Can Rocky fly again? Or, the best question would be how high will the Italian Stallion soar in a heavyweight "comeback" match with a much younger title holder?
Filled with more shuffling speeches and boxing retros, “Rocky Balboa” comes out talking which continues until the bell rings. His match and training therefore commands less screen time than he spends strutting around his restaurant in a burgundy sports coat telling diners about his glorious legacy. Actually, Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) has yet to overcome the death of his wife, Adrian (Talia Shire) which Sly (the director/writer) does not provide even a minimal refresher course about her demise for newbies to the franchise.
More than a comeback, underdog story, “Balboa” simplistically wrestles with urges to mentally climb another mountain. The sixty-year-old athlete trapped by his glorious past needs a new challenge for his gracefully aging body. The former champion has the “fame,” but not the happiness or satisfaction to rest on his laurels. Feeling like he has one more “fight” in him, Rocky sets his sights on “local” bouts, only to find himself caught in the spin off publicity from a computerized fantasy match between him and the current heavyweight champ.
Philosophical and internalized blue collar perspectives dominate, as the humble, good hearted hero spits out wisdom yet wallows in self doubt, accentuated by his daily trips to visit Adrian’s grave which last so long that he’s stashed a folding chair in a nearby tree.
Considering that Sly directed, wrote and starred in the “Rocky” revival, it would appear that the story reflects his own ‘has been’ super action star status that shined less with each yearly birthday. The new entry lacks the accelerating energy of the previous films, but it does ripple an occasional grin and polite applause as a put the lid on it pre-retirement “statement” that endurance and experience balances punchy, youthful aggression.
“Rocky Balboa” fails stratosphere soaring, but delivers hope for those who believe they are permanently grounded due to the inevitability of aging. “Rocky” resonates with an ‘I may not be the last man standing, but ‘I can still play … and you can too” attitude.