Rocky Balboa

Name: Rocky Balboa

Genre: Drama/Sports

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Tarver, Milo Ventimiglia, Burt Young, Sylvester Stallone (Director)

Synopsis: Around age of 50’s Rocky has retired from boxing for the last 16 years and was having a average going life with a restaurant in Philadelphia where he tells the past stories of his in his boxing carrier. He also has deals with his inner feelings of Adrian’s loss due to her cancer which makes him upset quite sometimes. Also his relationship with his son Robert (Milo Ventimiglia) wasn’t going on too well. Robert was going through a struggling period in the corporate world. Paulie (Burt Young) are still friends and it is going on. One night he was having a drink in the bar where he meets a girl after another girl said Rocky some foul language where little girl makes Rocky remember that she is the same little girl which also once had said the same to him and he accompanied her too home. But now she is quite older “Marie”. Rocky was very happy to see that. She also tells him that now she had a son name “Stephenson”. Rocky grows friendship with both of them later.

Around boxing area Mason “the line” Dixon won another match in his undisputed Title reign of World heavyweight Championship but people still doesn’t call him the real champion cause they still he is being tested with the best. ESPN broadcasts a computer simulation fight between Dixon and Rocky at the prime linked together and Rocky won that with a KO. Both Dixon and Rocky saw that computer simulation match. Rocky urges from inside to have a fight once again in that boxing ring. Later Dixon manager came to the TV and calls that a controversial computer simulation way too overrated to Balboa. Rocky goes to the boxing commission to renew his boxing license. First Commission didn’t agree to that but after seeing Rocky’s urge the provided him the license. Hearing the Dixon’s manager wants to have this as an opportunity for Dixon to make a name for himself goes to Rocky to have fight with Dixon and told them that they will be easy with him too. Rocky agrees to that and the exhibition bout will take place at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. Hearing this news Robert came to meet Rocky and asks him to leave this fight cause people make a joke out of him and he will be included in that but in reality he was blaming rocky for his own failures. Rocky gives him some good advice's and in that he told Robert this too “It ain’t how hard you hit, it how hard u get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take it and keep moved forward” Next day when Rocky was at Adrian’s grave, Robert meet him and told him that he has quit that job now and is now wants to be with him.

Rocky starts his training with Apollo creed’s Trainer Duke with his co workers and Paulie with Robert and Stephenson and his side too. Duke told Rocky that he is now old and have health problems too and too beat Dixon he has to get strength and his punching power should be incredible and Rocky starts training hard. Before one day of the fight, Rocky meets Dixon and Dixon warns him that he will be easy on him but if he tries some cheap shots or low blows he will go hard on him but Rocky doesn’t get intimidated. The day has come for the fight as HBO paper view. As the fight starts Dixon starts controlling the fight and Rocky was having trouble dealing with him. But in second round Dixon injured his left hand and Rocky after that starts hitting hard on Dixon even knocking him down once. After some rounds Dixon too fights Rocky but Rocky impress audience and everyone present there as how he is still taking punches of so much younger and champion boxer and he too fight back at him with full force. Rocky once in the last Rocky falls on his knee but Dixon but later he remembers that what he told to his soon he must prove to him now and fights back. During the closing stages of the last round both Dixon and Rocky starts hitting each other and the Spectators were on their feet cheering loud and out. Rocky appreciate Dixon that he is true champion and will go much further which he thanks him for that. Everyone was in Joy seeing this last performance of Rocky. Although Dixon won by the Split decision but Rocky Balboa has steal the show and thanked everyone as everyone there was appreciating it.

In the end Rocky was Adrian’s grave again and thanked her for everything and said “Yo Adrian, we did it again.” 

Review: One of the movies that came in the books of greatness once again. Sylvester Stallone once again proved that when he directs the Rocky movie himself, he gives his heart in that and he lived that character as ever. Every component of the movie was perfect. Direction was absolute brilliant, acting was classic. Fighting sequences were again at its level best. Bringing Antonio was a very good move which again bring freshness and energy of the modern day boxing style and he also played his part absolute best. The point which was considered most positive is the Story part. Stallone makes story in just a way that it fully justified the scenario of the Rocky series and he has to be given credit for that. Only two words for this “Absolute Brilliance”. Hat’s off to Sylvester Stallone for such a remarkable Rocky series to the world.

Stars given: 5 out of 5.

Rocky V

Name: Rocky V

Genre: Drama/Sports

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Tommy Morrison, John G. Avildson (Director)

Synopsis: Rocky after the fight with Drago when went into the dressing room wasn’t in the normal condition. His whole body was shivering and he could stop that. Rocky asks for his wife Adrian and his wife said that nothing will going to happen him and let’s go home. Rocky when reached US was greeted by his son Robert at the airport. When Rocky was addressing a press conference at the airport, a boxing promoter George Washington Duke tried to persuade Rocky to accept the challenge for heavyweight title by the number one contender Union Cane in Tokyo but Rocky refuses that as it was not the time to asks such things which was also condemned by media. On returning home Rocky came to know that Paulie not knowingly signed a power of attorney to Rocky’s accountant who has wasted all the money on real estate and other deals which have gone bad. Also he hasn’t paid Rocky’s taxes from the last six years. Rocky file the bankruptcy and sold his mansion and other belongings and what remained with him is Mickey’s old gym which before death have willed to Rocky’s son. Rocky wants to take up the fight with Cane for earning money but after the medical checkup and physical evaluation of his health, he came to know that he has sustained significant brain damage and if he continues fighting further he is putting his life at risk. Rocky vacates championship wish Cane gets by rule and move back to his old Philadelphian neighborhood. Rocky starts training boxers at Mickey’s gym.

After some time Rocky and Paulie meet a young boxer full of passion and hunger for boxing from Oklahoma named Tommy Gunn. Gunn wants Rocky to train him so that he could become a better boxer and after some events Rocky accepts his request to train him and Rocky also cherishes the same and starts training him. But this results his distraction from home and especially from his son Robert. Robert in school has some fight with school kids and begins to act strangely and started to stay away from home. Tommy as being trained by Balboa himself beginning to moved up the ladder to become number one contender. Duke sees that and persuaded Tommy that he will give him the shot at heavyweight title of Cane as Rocky doesn’t have any interest in him to make the championship match happen. When Tommy asked Rocky that he should go for the championship match with Cane to which Balboa said that it’s not the right time and when it comes we will go for the match. Duke on other hand has brainwashed Tommy to leave him and come with him as he will give him the title shot. As Rocky tries to talk to Tommy, he didn’t listen to him leaves Rocky and moved ahead. Balboa was fully frustrated and what motive in life he finds in Tommy it has now again taken. Adrian tries to talk to Rocky that Tommy was never the man and he doesn’t have that heart and will that Rocky has and he has to move ahead with his family along. After listening this he realized the same and started to live peacefully with his family. He also said sorry to his son for not giving him proper attention and from now on he will take care of the relationship.

On New Year’s Day, Tommy beat Cane in the first round and won the heavyweight title but was booed by the crowd as they called Cane just a “paper champion” which actually never won the championship from Balboa it was just handed over to him. Hearing this Tommy was very upset and furious about these remarks. Duke seeing this asks Tommy that people will see him under his shadow and if has to come out of this he has to take down Rocky himself to be the best. Tommy went for Rocky in a bar and challenges him to a fight but Rocky refuses that. Being angry Tommy hits Paulie with a punch but this infuriated Rocky and he challenges Tommy to have a street fight right now. Duke wants to fight only in the ring but as Tommy was angry of being called him a paper champion accepts Balboa’s challenges. Initially Rocky goes hard on Tommy but Tommy being in better shape knocked down Rocky. Soon Rocky hears the Visions and sounds of Mickey and hellish punches of Drago to get back up and fight. Rocky gets up again for a second round and with his knowledge of street fighting and boxing champion skills knocks down Tommy for sure. Tommy was taken by the police and Duke threatens Rocky that he will sue him if he touches what Rocky hits him a punch which knocks him down too and said “sue for what?” The very next day Rocky and Robert were at Philadelphia Museum of Art and Rocky gives Robert the Marciano cuff link which was a gift given to him by Mickey. Rocky’s statue was looking at Philadelphia in the end.

Review: As the next sequel in Rocky series a much was expected from it but it wasn’t able to deliver that much as the rest of its prequels. Story somewhere lost its core idea what Rocky series was all about. Fighting sequences were not that much effective at all. Standards which Rocky series had set previously were fallen very low in this part. Sylvester Stallone’s performance was good and so does of Talia Shire. Rest of the cast performed reasonably well. Direction of the movie wasn’t effective at all and may be bringing back Avildsen as director wasn’t proved a good idea at all. Also the energy and freshness what Mr. T and Dolph brought in Rocky 3 and 4, Tommy wasn’t able to bring it in Rocky which was a major setback to this part of Rocky series. Overall a decent movie to be watched but didn’t live and rose to the standards set by Rocky series prequels.

Stars given: 2 out of 5.

Rocky IV

Name: Rocky IV

Genre: Drama/Sports

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Sylvester Stallone (Director)

Synopsis: Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), a tall and athletic boxer from Soviet Union came with his wife Ludmilla and with a team of his trainers from USSR to United States of America to demonstrate his athleticism, Soviet power and superiority in boxing arena in the world. Drago’s manager promotes a demonstration of Drago’s immense power and punching ability in public. Apollo on hearing this news tells Rocky that he wants to challenge this guy for bout as Ivan’s manager publically said that they want to challenge Balboa for the title and wants Balboa’s agreement on that. Balboa didn’t accept his request and so do Adrian but after being convinced by Apollo, Rocky agreed. Apollo officially challenges Ivan Drago for an exhibition bout which will taking place at MGM grand hotel, Las Vegas. As the fight started Apollo throw some good punches initially but it has no effect at all on Drago and soon Drago starts hitting hard which lands Apollo in trouble. Seeing that Duke and Rocky pleaded Apollo to stop the fight but Apollo refused to do that. Drago kept fighting in the ring and which result in Apollo’s death due to the injuries sustained. Drago also showed no remorse for the death of Apollo in the fight. Rocky felt himself responsible for the death of Apollo and agrees to fight Apollo in Russia on Christmas Day in an unsanctioned match. Adrian didn’t approve the same and remained in disagreement that he shouldn’t go there and fight him but Rocky went there to redeem Apollo’s honor.

 Rocky reached USSR and starts training with Duke and Paulie with him as Adrian refused to go. There training of both Rocky and Drago were same but the methods were different. Rocky used old techniques of training like chopping trees, running in snowy areas etc. while Drago used modern techniques for same training with a team of trainers for him. Suddenly after a few days Adrian shows her there which boosted the confidence of Rocky and make him more focused more. On the day of the fight Drago was shown as a national hero and Rocky was booed most of time before the fight. As the fight starts Drago starts hitting hard at Rocky and Rocky starts taking a beating from him. But before the end of second round Rocky makes a fierce comeback landing a heavy right hook that cuts Drago’s left eye which shocked Drago and rest of the people present there. Rocky now starts his assault on Drago with full force. At the few rounds Drago also seems to realize that he can’t take down Balboa that easy at all. Both Rocky and Drago continues to fight with neither man backing up and landing punches at others with full fury. Rocky also realized that what seemed to be a hostile crowd for him is now also chanting his name too which game him more morale boost. One of the member’s of Soviet politburo tries to confront Drago that he should win at all cost to which Drago told that he is also a man which is doing his level best. As 15^th round starts both the fighters starts fighting hard at each other but in the end Rocky won the match by knocking out Drago. In the victory speech Rocky said that “If I can change, and you can change then everybody can change”. Soviet Politburo stands up and applauds Rocky for that and for victory. Rocky in the ends wishes his son a merry Christmas and wave his arms as the crowds applauds and chants his name.

Review: What was expected of this sequel of Rocky, the same has been delivered. The movie was emphatic as a whole. Story was as usual different from its prequels and yet almost related to its prequels. Sylvester Stallone performance in the movie was brilliant which was full of energy. Bringing Dolph Lundgren was a very good idea as it again brought new freshness and new energy in the Rocky series of this part. Music of this part of the series was also very good which made its mark in the movie. Rest of the cast performance was as usual good as per its prequels. What came from this that Sylvester Stallone’s direction was also brilliant where he had taken the best of every character forward in the Rocky series and the boxing fighting sequences in this part of the movie was also very mind blowing but seemed very real to any boxing match and was fun to watch. This was another blockbuster movie in the Rocky Series.

Stars given: 4 out of 5. 

Rocky III

Name: Rocky III

Genre: Drama/Sports

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Mr. T, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Sylvester Stallone (Director)

Synopsis: It’s been five years for Rocky for defending his heavyweight title against 10 different opponents and he defended all of them successfully. Rocky has now seeing fame, wealth and recognition in his life after he becomes world heavyweight champion of boxing. A ferocious boxer named Clubber Lang (Mr. T) was also defeating boxers to become contender to challenge Rocky and each time he sees Rocky defeated his title successfully he defeated his opponent with more aggressiveness. Mickey also recognizes the ferociousness of Clubber Lang as a dangerous opponent. On a day when Rocky was addressing a Public event and Clubber Lang came there and challenges Rocky. He accused him of picking lesser skilled opponents for defending titles and also said badly for Rocky’s wife Adrian. Rocky accepted his challenge. Mickey initially asked Rocky not to go for the fight and refuses to train him. But being pressurized by Rocky he told him that at this moment he is more ferocious and dangerous boxer than him and he will beat you. Rocky understands about the saying’s of Clubber Lang was true about the title defenses. But at last Rocky convinces to train for this fight and in the end Mickey accepted his request. It is clearly seen that the there was a huge training difference between Rocky and Lang. On the day of the fight, before the fight start there was a shove between Rocky and Lang in which Mickey was hit. He got heart attack and seeing Mickey’s condition Rocky wants to call off the fight but Mickey told him to go and fight him in ring. Apollo too was present at the ring side too see the fight. Lang was ferocious as ever but Rocky couldn’t concentrate on fight. The fight didn’t continue to 2 rounds but Lang knocked down Balboa in 2^nd round and Rocky was still concerned about his coach. After losing, Balboa went to see Mickey and after being asked about the result he told Mickey that fight ended in two rounds. Hearing this Mickey though it as a win and later he died there.

After being beaten so badly Balboa was very upset. When he was at Mickey’s gym which is now closed he meets Apollo again. He told Balboa that he didn’t have that will or “the eye of the Tiger” this time which he had against him when he fought and offers him that he will train him in a rematch with Clubber Lang and in exchange of a special favor but that will be after the match. Rocky accepts that and he with Adrian, Paulie and Apollo went to Los Angeles where Apollo will train him. Initially Rocky wasn’t doing well as he was demoralized and lost his morale and confidence during the Clubber Lang fight. Despite Apollo’s best efforts progress of Rocky’s training was going nowhere. Seeing this Adrian talked to Rocky to tell her the truth too which he admitted that this time he is afraid but Adrian persuaded him that he should follow his heart. Mickey didn’t what he thought it was best for Rocky because it was his job but now he has too live it for himself. Rocky realized that and came back to his senses and start preparing for the fight again. Seeing Rocky’s performance and determination they too thought that they can beat Lang. The match was going to be held at Madison Square Garden. As the fight starts Rocky started the round very well and starts hitting hard at Lang but after few rounds Lang bounced back and dominate Rocky and knock him down two times. Seeing this Balboa changed his strategy by taking on Lang’s punches most of the rounds but simultaneously starts taunting Lang that he can’t take him down. Lang starts becoming angrier seeing this and lashes out at Balboa but when Balboa saw that Lang is now totally exhausted starts hitting at Lang with full fury and defeated Lang by a knock out and regains the world heavyweight championship again. In the end Balboa and Apollo (as a result of Big Favor asked by Apollo) was in the ring throwing a first punch at each other but in a friendly behavior.

Review: Again a very good sequel made by Sylvester Stallone in the Rocky Series. Mr. T entrant in the movie brings new freshness in the Rocky film series which looks great. Story in this part was also very good. Stallone’s performance in the movie was brilliant and so do was off the rest of the cast including Carl weathers, Talia Shire and Mr. T. Movie moved at a very good pace and didn’t went off the track even once. Story was also very different and unique of this part of Rocky series. The reason of such a good and creative story of the Rocky is that it looks like close to the reality which a boxer will have in real life that to goes through such types of up’s and down’s in his boxing carrier and in life too. Also the focus was given to each and every character in the movie and not only to Sylvester Stallone’s character which was a very good thing.  Overall Rocky III performed and lived up to the expectations of its prequels.

Stars given: 4 out of 5.

Rocky II

Name: Rocky II

Genre: Drama/Sports

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Sylvester Stallone (Director)

Synopsis: Rocky and Apollo were both taken to hospital after the world heavyweight bout where Apollo defeated Rocky in a split decision. In the hospital when Rocky was being questioned by media about the fight Apollo came there and challenged him a rematch which Rocky declined and announced his retirement from boxing carrier. As being treated for his injuries in hospital Rocky came out and marry Adrian. Rocky seems to enjoy his fame which he gets after that match and got some potential endorsement and sponsorships which let to increase his wealth. Soon, Rocky came to know that Adrian is now pregnant. Apollo reading all news and letters was angry that people accuses him for the fight being fixed and all that. He wants to have a rematch with him again at any cost through he wants to prove that Rocky’s performance in that fight was just a fluke and nothing else. Tony (Apollo’s Coach) tells Apollo that he should move on with some other contenders but Apollo didn’t listen to him and desperately wants a rematch with Rocky.  Soon Rocky went into financial problems as he wasn’t able to find a stable job for himself and for his wife. Apollo was running a campaign to make the Rocky came back to ring with him. Rocky being frustrated as he wasn’t able to support the house and Adrian went to Mickey that he won’t return in boxing arena against him but Mickey refuses the same as Rocky condition was very bad and specially the eye. Soon Apollo came on the interview and insults Rocky up to a large extent that he doesn’t have the guts to meet me in the ring again. Hearing this Mickey went to Rocky and asks him to train so that they could take this guy down this time.

Adrian worried about Rocky’s health didn’t support this decision of Rocky. Rocky accepts Apollo’s challenge for a rematch but Rocky wasn’t fully focused on the fight as for Adrian’s disapproval. Mickey reminded that this time Apollo will be more ferocious and deadly than before so he should focus more on the coming fight but Rocky could able to focus. Paulie confronted Adrian about her disapproval for the match and starts shouting at her for crushing his dreams. Soon, Adrian fainted and was taken to hospital. Adrian give birth to a baby child but as the it was a premature due to certain complications she went to coma and Rocky’s cursed and felt himself responsible for that. He wants to see the baby face with Adrian and till that time he was there at the Adrian’s side all the time and Mickey also joined him. Adrian after some days came out of coma and saw her new baby with Rocky and asked him to win the match. Hearing this, Rocky and Mickey starts training hard and Rocky was full of confidence and energy that this time he can take down Apollo. Apollo starts telling everyone that he will take down Rocky in just two rounds. Soon fight starts and Rocky starts taking initial beating from Apollo and went down twice. But as the match progresses Rocky starts retaliating Apollo and starts fighting with him Toe to Toe. Match went to 15^th Round. Apollo was way ahead of Rocky on points and just had to stay away from Rocky to hold on to title. Apollo’s manager too tells Apollo the same thing that there is no need for the knock out to be done. Just stay with him and he will have his title but Apollo was adamant to pin the Rocky down. Soon both the fighters fell down during the closing moments of the last round. Apollo wasn’t able to get on his legs but Rocky got up to the count of 10 and won the Heavyweight title from Apollo in a stunning upset and became world champion. At last Rocky thank everyone, the crowd, Mickey and his wife Adrian.

Review: Such movies are seen once in a lifetime, truly amazing. Every segment of the movie was fully perfect on its part. Story of the movie was as such as it should be which links to one’s reality. Sylvester Stallone performance was brilliant and so was of Carl Weathers. Talia and rest of the crew also performed their roles at utmost best.  Music was as usual great as it was in the prequel. Movie all time stick to its core idea and didn’t go here and there, which was very much appreciable. Cinematography was excellent. Fighting sequences performed at the final match was seemed to be so real that one could see in the real boxing matches will make you thrilled till the very last moment. It’s just “Hats Off” to Sylvester Stallone and the rest of the crew for giving is such a legendary movie. 

  

Stars given: 5 out of 5.

Rocky

Name: Rocky

Genre: Drama/Sports

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, John G. Avildsen (Director)

Synopsis: Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is a small time boxer and a money recovery guy for person named Gazzo who is a loan shark in Kensington, Philadelphia. Rocky gets thrown out of the gym in which he practice as his manager thinks that he has talent but he is wasting it and his life for working as a money recovery guy for Gazzo. Meanwhile, Rocky also meet Adrian (Talia Shire) in a pet shop but she didn’t give much importance to him. Undefeated World heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) was having a heavyweight champion bout fixed against Mac Lee Green in Philadelphia spectrum but before sometime of the bout, Green got injured and couldn’t take part in the bout. Apollo and his team were a little worried about what to do next as no other contender was saying yes to him as they said as they don’t have enough time to get in shape to fight him. Creed came up with the idea that to give a local boxer of Philadelphia a chance of his lifetime to have shot at the world heavy weight title which they all agreed a very good strategy. After going throw the names of local boxers of Philadelphia Creed picks up a name “Italian stallion” as it sounds very resounding to him and which will make a good headlines in the media which actually refers to Rocky Balboa. Initially Rocky didn’t accept the offer of creed but fight promoter George convinces him.

Hearing this news Mickey the owner of the gym wants to train Rocky for this big fight but Rocky refuses as he himself has thrown his stuff out of his gym as he considered him wastage of time because he believed he has talent but he is wasting it as a recovery man for Gazzo which he didn’t like. Later on, Rocky said yes to him being trained by Mickey. Rocky on other side develops a relationship with Paulie’s (Burt Young) sister Adrian which later on turns it into a romantic relationship from both sides. Mickey starts training Rocky and rocky too was having training with full confidence and believes. Seeing Rocky in news being trained hard, Apollo’s manager asks Apollo to take the fight seriously as Rocky is taking but Apollo doesn’t listen to him much. Rocky before the fight took place told Adrian that he doesn’t expect to beat Creed but all he wants to do his best in that fight. On the day of the bout between Rocky and Apollo, initially Apollo didn’t take Rocky seriously but during initial rounds Rocky knocks Apollo down once turns up the heat as Apollo has never been knocked down, Apollo starts taking things seriously. Fight goes on till the last round that is the 15^th. Both the fighters’ sustained injuries broken nose for Rocky and Creed got broken ribs. What happened during the fight was Creed fighting skills was taken heavenly by Rocky’s stamina and guts to take the blows from Creed for all the rounds. After the last bell, Creed said to Balboa that “there wouldn’t be no rematch” to which he said “Don’t want one.” Rocky after the fight was looking for Adrian and she too came there. Creed was pronounced as winner of the match by Split decision but Rocky diddn’t care about that. Adrian came to meet Rocky at the ring and confesses her love to him and too which Rocky also said the same.

Review: One of the legendry sports movies the one will ever see. The story of the movie was very unique and reflects the reality of the boxers in the real life. Sylvester Stallone performance of the movie is full of energy and charisma. Carl Weathers performance as Apollo creed couldn’t be taken away i.e. an excellent performance given by him. The performances of the rest of the crew were also good. The fighting sequences of the match between Apollo and Rocky were amazing and looks stunning real. The movie at a great pace and no where it was felt that movie went to a little side tracked. Music of the movie is all time hit. What makes this movie something different is that it is based on how the boxer’s life is all about and it may change when opportunities pass by why you must be willing to give all that what you have to prove a point. A must watch movie for everyone which is full of Boxing action and a little drama too it.

Stars given: 4.5 out of 5.