Rocky Balboa

Interestingly enough, I could have used another 10-15 minutes of the interpersonal stuff because it felt a little rushed as we get to the 3rd act. Rocky Balboa leaves quite an impression, from the first Rocky film to the final installment, he never stops punching, never stops advancing, in spite of adversity through life and inside the ring.

If you grew up loving the early Rocky films (mainly I and II), "Rocky Balboa" returns us to Rocky's roots, and brings home a fitting end to one of cinema's rootable title characters, and doesn't squander any rounds in its running time.

I sort of think there were quite a few more plotlines that could have been mined, but I think Sly held back and maintained the focus on Rocky, and that was the right thing to do, but it did get me thinking:


Warning Spoiler!
I was wondering if Steps was going to be groomed as an up-n-coming boxer, and whether Robert was going to become the trainer/manager/promoter for Steps, with Rocky providing some guidance. But this plotline would have undercut Rocky's final character arc, so I think it was prudent to leave it alone.


All in all, fans of the Rocky franchise will enjoy the last chapter.

I give it 3.5 stars, or a grade of B+.