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Created Mar 03, 2008 11:35AM PST • Edited Mar 03, 2008 11:35AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Great 4.0

   To summarize this film without comparing it ot the other films in the “Rocky” series is a given, just as such as it is easy to bring Stallone’s age in as a factor. Truth be told, This is the second best in the “rocky” series, coming in behind only the original in terms of quality and substance. A well-done and thrilling capper to a 30 year film history.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   Stallone received razzies for Rocky 4 and Rocky 5, but when his heart is truly into the character (as is the case here) I believe he shines. Yes people tend to think he is a monosyllabic old warhorse, but he truly brings out the acting chops for this one and for good reason…he wrote, starred, and directed it. Milo Ventimilia does a fantastic job with the material he is given, Burt young plays Paulie as abrasive as ever, Geraldine Hughes does a good job with her role as the leading female, and Antonio Tarver (an actual boxer by trade, not an actor) holds his own with his first ever film role.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

   This is Sylvester Stallone’s film obviously, and if it doesn’t involve him acting, it generally involves people talking about him in some light. Ventimilia and Tarver make up the principal supporting male cast, with Tony Burton, Burt Young, and James Francis Kelly III in the background yet still doing a decent enough job. If there is a weak link, it’d likely be Tarver but only because he’s so new to the acting world.

6. Female Stars Really Great 4.5

   The only real starring role for this category is Geraldine Hughes, and I think she does a terrific job with the part she was given. Not only does she bring a subtlety to a performance that may not have been if in the hands of another actress, but she elevates the scenes that she is in without chewing the scenery.

7. Female Costars Good 3.0

   I had trouble thining about female costars, but came up with the girl who is the hostess of the restaurant, who does a decent job with the minor role she is given, and the abysmal girl who Rocky speaks to in the bar. You know the one, she spouts off at the mouth about how he isn’t any better than she is repeatedly, and then her “good for nothing” boyfriend accosts Rocky outside. Honestly, there are not a lot of female roles in this film.

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

   I’ve already mentioned Tarver potentially being the weak link, mainly because he is so new. James Francis Kelly II does fine as Steps, Milo Ventimila is great as Robert, aka Rocky Jr. (last played by Sylvester Stallone’s real life son, Sage Stallone), while Tony Burton and Burt young reprise roles they’ve been doing for 30 years.

10. Film

    Great 4.0

    I think the film production quality was overall very well done, nothing too over-the-top, but also nothing too condensed. You could tell that Stallone had a smaller budget than he originally wanted, but made a very heartfelt film with stunning cinematography in places. Philadelphia’s grit and realism really came to life when it needed to and the final match had a great flash to it.

11. Direction Really Great 4.5

    Stallone should be allowed to direct more, he is a smart man with a grand vision of what he wants. the boxing match at the end had a lot of “flash” and shine to it, ala the boxing you would see on HBO or on PPV. The balck and white segments were well done, with color being utilized to tremendous effect. Like stated above, Philadelphia came to life for it’s grit and “hard hitting” realism just like was needed. All in all I would say that Stallone is a fine director and deserves to work more often.

12. Play Very Good 3.5

    Once again the writing belongs to Stallone, and he does a fine job. rocky was never intended to be the brightest brning star, and so some of the dialogue is a bit ham-fisted at times, but that is part of the Rocky icon anyway. there are no real “groaners”, but there are some one-liners that came close. My favorite line in the movie is said by tony Burton though, “Let’s get out there and build you some hurtin bombs!” Brilliant.

13. Music Great 4.0

    I’m giving this a four because it deserves every bit of a 4 out of 5…The Rocky music is ann American masterpiece. Bill Conti’s score is fully intact, without cheesy 80’s songs filling in the gaps. Nothing against survivor, because “Eye of the Tiger”is a classic, but no thank you as an ending to the Rocky series. I like that the music goes the classic route, like the original. I personally liked the touch of Frank Sinatr being his intro music as well.

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5

    Chalk this all up to Stallone again, this man’s mark is all over this movie. Like I mentioned above with his direction, he chose some clever lighting and coloring effects to create a tremendous atmosphere during the match, and brought a lot of grime and grit to the Philadelphia lower class areas. This was no feast for the eyes at all times, but it was brisk and intense when it needed to be, and softer edged when necessary as well.

15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.3

    There isn’t much in the way of violence for a boxing movie. You see a fight by Mason “the Line” Dixon at the beginning, a computer generated fight between Balboa and Dixon, and the final match which is about 15 minutes long. the fight is intense and it can be a gut check at times, but come on this is rated PG, and it wouldn’t be if there was anything really rude about it. I’m fairly certain there isn’t even any genuine cursing in it and I know there is no sex. This gets a 2.3 only because of the fighting

17. Sex Titillating 2.3

18. Violence Fierce 2.3

19. Rudeness Salty 2.3

21. Reality

    Surreal 3.0

    It’s about a 60 year old man returning to the ring after a 20 year absence to do an exhibition bout against the current boxing champion! There are some logic holes (what happened to Rocky’s brain thing from Rocky 5?) but there are moments that bring it from being ridiculous. It is mentioned that Dixon wasn’t in the best shape, maybe looking to “phone it in”…there is also the fact that he hurts his hand at one point, to make it at least a bit fair and realistic for Balboa not to get destroyed in the ring. Plus, it is only an exhibition match. But seriously, Stallone may be in tremendous shape for his age, but he’s still a 60 year old man.

22. Circumstantial Surreal 3.0

23. Biological Surreal 3.0

24. Physical Surreal 3.0