“Rocky Balboa” Premier and Movie Review (12/06)
It seems like Hollywood has finally invented the “time wormhole”. That is the only plausible explanation for the ampler of enthusiasm at the premiere of “Rocky Balboa” on December 13th in Hollywood where media from around the globe gathered for this event alone. The electricity was felt in the air as if Sylvester and Rocky were still at their prime in the eighties.
The fact that many years have past since the first five Rocky movies had no effect on the level of excitement of the audience and guest celebrities alike. Sharon Stone, James Caan, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Oded Fehr, Michael Ealy, Natalie Maines (Dixie Chicks), Bruce Willis, Christian Slater, most of the cast of “Heroes” and many more.
It is because of the will of writer, director and actor Sylvester Stallone that a real American and World Icon – Rocky Balboa – was brought back to the screen. Sly says he was no happy with the presumably last chapter (Rocky V) he created. He says: “It was a dream to me to vindicate “Rocky V” which didn’t work, and I just wanted that these films, that mean so much to other people, had a good ending, a happy ending.”
The hearsay after the projection of the movie is unanimous; overwhelming emotions all the way through. MGM decided that December 20th will be the release date. ROCKY BALBOA was originally set to open on the 22nd along other highly anticipated movies. Two extra days of buzz around the year end holidays can certainly not harm the picture.
The Film:
Some negligence kept this film from being AWESOME!
CONS:
– Weak story.
– All the messages the audience are supposed to get throughout the movie are not subtly divulged, they are thrown in your face by verbal explanations of the characters.
– Some acting performances.
– The dog.
– The lack of development and depth of key characters like Paulie, Rocky Jr. and Duke. Instead that very irrelevant dog took some precious minutes that could have been used for that purpose.
– Rocky’s motivation not showing well or not enough.
PROS:
– The emotions the viewer goes trough are TREMENDOUS*; the more familiar or the bigger fan of the Rocky persona you are, the greater the impact. That alone redeems the movie a heck of a lot. (So much so I voted 8/10)
– The soundtrack!
– The messages though, are wonderful.
– The humor.
– Rocky (Sly) is back, and AGAIN, he brings out the best in us.
