Debbie Schlussel: Just Saw the New Rocky Movie
I just returned from screening, "Rocky Balboa," a/k/a Rocky VI. It's not bad. But Girlie-Man Alert: Did we really need to see Rocky cry? Et tu, Rocky?
Parts of it were a little slow (like the first hour) and kinda cheesy, but it was okay. If you liked the Rocky quintology (Yes, I made up this word), you'll like this one. The boxing part is fun (with real-life boxer Antonio Tarver playing Rocky's opponent). And I wonder how much Mike Tyson got paid for his cameo. (To me, that was the funniest part of the movie, though there are some good lines, too.) Michael Buffer ("Let's Get Ready to Rumbllllllllllllllle") is in it, too, as well as some familiar sports commentators.
The new version has everything you expect in a "Rocky" movie. It is vintage Rocky: Rocky running up and down the steps in Philadelphia in front of the museum to the tune of "Gonna Fly Now," Paulie (now painting water colors?!), etc. As I said when I wrote about this movie in January, Sylvester Stallone looks pretty good for a 60-year-old (the Black hair is a little to Grecian formula, though; a little gray would have been fine).
No "Yo, Adrian," though. She's dead (though he does utter it once to her tombstone and she's shown in flashback footage).
Remember, the original "Rocky" movie is almost 31 years old! Feel old?
Stay tuned for my complete review when the movie debuts. Fave DebbieSchlussel.com Rocky character: crotchety trainer/manager Mickey Goldmill played by the late Burgess Meredith (who also makes an appearance in Rocky 6, in flashback footage).
Posted by Debbie on November 29, 2006 04:36 PM to Debbie Schlussel