Here’s my review of Rocky Balboa, written, directed and starring Sylvester Stallone. First let me say… wow! Like many people, I was incredulous when hearing the rumor that a new Rocky movie was in the making. That’s like going back to Star Wars and screwing with things so that Greedo shoots at Han first, or making a third Godfather. Oh wait…
In all seriousness, I am impressed. The story is simple, Rocky is charming and the dialogue is sincere and funny. The best part of the entire movie is the presentation of the big fight. The camerawork, the edits, the sound is all like a real HBO fight. The commentators, the announcer and the referee are all men I recognize from HBO fights. Later, the style changes and you really feel like you’re in that zone when you’re really under pressure. Here it was a fight where the characters are getting pummeled, but you know the feeling if you’ve ever performed live theater, or tested in martial arts.
The movie was sweet, honest and then exciting and most of all… inspiring! In fact, I am doing something unheard of! I am skipping a night of World of Warcraft with David and coworkers so that I can do some writing. Gotta live the dream. Thanks for the inspiration, Rocky. I got heart, too!
Rocky Balboa box office results from Box Office Mojo:
Domestic Total: $53,642,534
Production Budget: $24 million
In Release: 15 days / 2.1 weeks
P.S. - Sly is set to write and direct Poe, about Edgar Allen, of course. What comes after that? According to IMDB, he’s also in pre-production for… Rambo IV: Pearl of the Cobra. I’m dubious to say the least, but Sly is penning it and I have yet to be disappointed by his screenwriting skills.
