Rocky Balboa

email this story
read comments (46)
post a comment

"We realize it never goes away. Life is always going to be a battle. You expect it to get easy as you get older, and It doesn't. [And so the movie is about] how does he cope, how has he tried to put together new friends? He's starting out without his wife. He's full of grief. But [what he goes through and comes to] is like a rebirth. Certainly not the way he was in Rocky but an older, wiser guy." -- Sylvester Stallone talking to AP sports writer Dan Gelston about Rocky Balboa (MGM, 12.2).

Last-minute "Girl" screenings<< previous | next >>Goldstein's Betting List

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on December 5, 2006 at 9:23 AM

comment #1

Mike Schaefer says ...

He was on Monday Night Football last night to plug "RB" and said pretty much the same things. Is anyone expecting anything of this movie? The TV spots aren't very promising.

Posted by Mike Schaefer at December 5, 2006 9:39 AM

comment #2

actionman says ...

the TV ads for this movie are a fuckin' joke...the movie looks laughably bad. the boxing action looks pathetic, Stallone looks like he's 85 fuckin' years old, the editing is atrocious. I could never see this in a theater for fear of starting a fight by laughing my ass off throughout the entire film, thus enraging some meat-head douche bag who still thinks it's the mid-80's while enjoying this piece of rubbish. my god am I the only one who thinks this looks just embarrassing? I have been in theaters when this trailer plays and people are applauding!!! I just shrink in my seat and remember that the American public is mostly made up of complete simpletons.

Posted by actionman at December 5, 2006 9:51 AM

comment #3

storymark says ...

Guys who champion the brilliance of Domino should be carefull about throwing stones.

Posted by storymark at December 5, 2006 10:05 AM

comment #4

Sean says ...

: I could never see this in a theater for fear of starting a fight by laughing my ass off throughout the entire film, thus enraging some meat-head douche bag who still thinks it's the mid-80's while enjoying this piece of rubbish.

If it helps your courage, I laughed through the entire 'Passion of the Christ'; from the moment where it looked like Jesus was masturbating, it had me in hysterics.

Posted by Sean at December 5, 2006 10:13 AM

comment #5

Monument says ...

I think people are fans of the character and are responding to him rather than the perceived quality of the movie. I really wouldn't count this one out, I think it could end up being a surprise hit.

I don't know where you live "actionman", but the 85 year olds around here don't look like Stallone. He's in better shape than most guys in their 20's.

Posted by Monument at December 5, 2006 10:21 AM

comment #6

actionman says ...

Domino is 10,000 times the movie than ANY Rocky movie. Sorry.

Posted by actionman at December 5, 2006 10:24 AM

comment #7

actionman says ...

Stallone looks bloated, messy, post-steroids...he looks like a disaster and so does this dreck.

Posted by actionman at December 5, 2006 10:25 AM

comment #8

Monument says ...

I guess we've been looking at different images. And Domino isn't even in the same league as Rocky, sequels notwithstanding.

Posted by Monument at December 5, 2006 10:28 AM

comment #9

Mark says ...

The problem with the American public is not that they're simpletons, but rather that they lack a sense of humor. I was kicked out of the theater for laughing throughout Starship Troopers.

I started screaming, "What is wrong w/ you people??? Doogie Howser is leading the human race? Professional football is coed? Denise Richards is smart? And I shouldn't be laughing???!!!" I don't think people got the humor w/ that flick until it came to TV.

Posted by Mark at December 5, 2006 10:29 AM

comment #10

The Movie Man says ...

Actionman, I respect some of your comments and appreciate your no bullshit, no real pretense approach here. That said, Domino is awful, deep down you know its awful and it makes Rocky 5 look like Raging Bull and Stop or My Mom will Shoot look like, well...that still looks like Stop Or Mom Will Shoot.

All kidding aside, I could be cynical, I SHOULD be cynical but I'm rooting for this movie. The first two Rockys were charming and unassuming (no defense for the rest of the series) and I would like to see Stallone return to that. But I'm sure I'll be eating a big old hunk of crow come Dec. 22.

Posted by The Movie Man at December 5, 2006 10:31 AM

comment #11

J. Huff says ...

Actionman, the people are clapping for the underdog, which both Rocky and Stallone are at this point. It became about boxing in the last few installments, but it's hard to say that the original was every really about the sport in the first place. Admittedly, it doesn't look like a great movie, but it does harken back more to the first film and the sense of "making something out of nothing" than any of the others.

Posted by J. Huff at December 5, 2006 10:32 AM

comment #12

actionman says ...

wow, all of you are DELUSIONAL

hey Movie Man...dont tell me deep down I know that Domino is awful...because that's just silly. It's a great mind-fuck of a movie and that's that. It's a freaking story being told to the viewer by a character in the throws of a mescalin trip...it's supposed to be crazy and all over the place...that was the point!!!! Nothing anyone says will change my opinoin of this. You putting Domino in the same league as Stop or My Mom Will Shoot is idiotic.

I will give Stallone some credit for Rocky Part 1 but that's it. But even that movie is staggeringly overrated.

Posted by actionman at December 5, 2006 10:40 AM

comment #13

Monument says ...

"staggeringly overrated"

As long as you're using talkback cliches you might as well call it "deeply, deeply flawed" as well.

Posted by Monument at December 5, 2006 10:44 AM

comment #14

storymark says ...

No defense of Domino and it's mescalin-trip structure will change the fact that the movie sucked.

Find another fan of that movie before you start calling the rest of us delusional, because I've nevr met one.

Posted by storymark at December 5, 2006 10:53 AM

comment #15

The Movie Man says ...

actioman-the stop or my mom will shoot reference is a joke, as I believe was obvious in the post. I can't honestly say that Stop or My Mom Will Shoot is better than anything, and, believe or not, I was able to gather that Domino is supposed to be a drug induced fever dream. Claiming that I don't like a movie because I don't understand it is one of the oldest and juvenile of cop outs.

The "its a mescalin trip" reasoning is just a covenient excuse built into the script so Kelly and especially Scott have license to cut to whatever random, ridiculous, completely superficial thread suits their fancy at any given moment. The film is a derivative, cliched bit of business that has nothing but hipster too cool for school mood. Domino is nothing, nothing, nothing. It's one of the worst mainstream films I've sat through in some time and anyone who defends it so fervently should be careful as to how they use the word "idiotic."

Posted by The Movie Man at December 5, 2006 11:00 AM

comment #16

actionman says ...

i know plenty of people who enjoyed the visceral thrills of Domino...just because you didn't like it doesn't mean there aren't plenty of admirers. tony scott is an action movie artist, always has been, always will be. i never suggested that u didn't understand the movie either so not sure what you meant by that comment. Domino was more creative, original, unique, and stylish than almost any other movie released last year.

Posted by actionman at December 5, 2006 11:14 AM

comment #17

Pelham123 says ...

Stallone is easily the worst filmmaker/star of the last twenty-five years -- "Rocky 3 & 4", "Over The Top", "Cobra", "Stop or My Mom Will Shoot" and "Staying Alive" to name just a few. If you expect anything of quality from this abominable garbage heap you are delusional. I saw the trailer at the Chinese before "Casino Royale" and the audience there pretty much laughed it off the screen.

Posted by Pelham123 at December 5, 2006 11:15 AM

comment #18

MAGGA says ...

"Find another fan of that movie before you start calling the rest of us delusional, because I've nevr met one."

I like Domino. As Jeffrey pointed out in his review of Children Of Men, sometimes visual flair goes a long way towards making a film interesting, and to me Domino had good visuals and sound. No masterpiece in any way, but more interesting than any number of films receiving kudos and Oscar consideration.

Posted by MAGGA at December 5, 2006 11:17 AM

comment #19

actionman says ...

Damn straight MAGGA

Posted by actionman at December 5, 2006 11:23 AM

comment #20

Hallick says ...

The premise of the movie is too retarded. I don't know if it's a good movie along the way or not, but who in their right mind looks at Rocky Balboa and says, oh sure, he can go toe to toe with a champion in his early twenties?

There's also the fact that the trailer has a smell of, "Oh please, O Great White Geriatric Hope, come and save our sport from this uppidy hip-hop whippersnapper!"

Posted by Hallick at December 5, 2006 11:59 AM

comment #21

Monument says ...

Tarver was born in 68, that puts him a bit past his twenties. And might I be the first to point out that it's a movie. No movie has a realistic premise, certainly not Domino.

Posted by Monument at December 5, 2006 12:06 PM

comment #22

MathewM says ...

I think fans of the character will like it. It's not a film that needed to be made by any stretch but what's to take away from those who will enjoy it. At least the Rocky character has a motivation and in the end makes the audience feel good unlike the 100's of other pointless sequels.

Posted by MathewM at December 5, 2006 12:20 PM

comment #23

MathewM says ...

"Domino is 10,000 times the movie than ANY Rocky movie. Sorry."

No need to apologize that you're an idiot.

Posted by MathewM at December 5, 2006 12:22 PM

comment #24

Edward says ...

I was pleasantly surprised by "Domino." I found that the stylization to be forced, but overall a decent ride. On the other hand, "Rocky Balboa" looks horrible, even though I'd like Stallone to succeed.

Posted by Edward at December 5, 2006 12:26 PM

comment #25

actionman says ...

"No need to apologize that you're an idiot."

calling me an idiot over a difference of opinoin...big guy u are!

Posted by actionman at December 5, 2006 12:28 PM

comment #26

storymark says ...

I dug the hell out of Man on Fire, so we agree on that one, actionman. I like Tony Scott movies in general, with a few exceptions, Domino being one of them. Yes, it was visually interesting, but that was it. I could watch 2 hours of music videos and get roughly the same visceral thrill, and the same level of plot coherency.

As for Rocky Balboa: Who thinks a guy that age would still gey in the ring? George Foreman comes to mind. But really, does anyone really expect Rocky to win in this one? Really?

Posted by storymark at December 5, 2006 12:32 PM

comment #27

storymark says ...

That was supposed to read "geT in the ring". But my typo does open the floor for more (not-totally-undeserved) Stallone bashing.

Posted by storymark at December 5, 2006 12:37 PM

comment #28

The Movie Man says ...

Rocky Balboa does look ridiculous, there's no way around it, but I pull for the guy.

Posted by The Movie Man at December 5, 2006 12:39 PM

comment #29

Monument says ...

"Rocky Balboa does look ridiculous, there's no way around it, but I pull for the guy."

From what I've read about the film, that's pretty much what the story is about.

Posted by Monument at December 5, 2006 12:43 PM

comment #30

Rich S. says ...

Some people forget, but there is a precedent for this movie. George Foreman (before he started selling grills) came out of an almost twenty-year retirement to fight, with the proceeds to go to his church. Far from being a pure publicity stunt, George got some serious play. He ended up with a title shot against Evander Holyfield, who was more-or-less in his prime. George didn't win, but he didn't embarrass himself, either.

Granted, George was in his 40s and Stallone is in his 60s, but the premise is not as far fetched as it sounds. If he wins, yes. But if he simply makes a good showing, it might not be too bad.

Posted by Rich S. at December 5, 2006 1:13 PM

comment #31

jeffmcm says ...

Domino sucks. It's mindless eye candy with no redeeming features in terms of story, performance, or theme. I challenge anyone to defend it in any way other than to say 'it looked cool kicked ass' which is a pretty juvenile and meaningless position.

Posted by jeffmcm at December 5, 2006 1:46 PM

comment #32

thatmovieguy says ...

I never saw DOMINO, so I can't comment. But I did see ROCKY BALBOA, and it's neither the comeback picture Stallone fans have been hoping for or the uproariously awful turkey that Stallone haters have been anticipating. Frankly, it was kind of dull, to be honest. Much of the movie is devoted to dwelling on past glories since Adrian is now dead and Rocky's boxing days are long ago (or are they?). Rocky now runs an Italian restaurant called Adrian's -- shocker! -- and has a slightly chilly relationship with a twentysomething son, who is perturbed about living in Dad's shadow and is apparently trying to make it as a stock broker or a financial analyst. After spending a considerable amount of time establishing the fact that Rocky is now officially a has-been (albeit a semi-celebrity in Philadelphia), the movie finally moves into the ring for some less-than-electrifying fighting that's interspersed with hazy flashbacks of Rocky's other bouts. The screenplay introduces some potentially interesting angles on the Rocky formula, only to drop every one of them midway through. I don't know what Stallone has done to his face over the years, but everything from the top lip up is cis now completely immobile and his eyebrows look like they've been drawn on with a marker. As for his body, well, you be the judge. I'll say no more, except that it's bizarre to hear that Bill Conti "Gonna Fly Now" theme again and that the audience I saw it with seemed reasonably enthusiastic about the movie before it started and rushed for the exits the second the credits began to roll (no one broke a hand applauding, that's for sure). It will probably open and then drop off severely, which is exactly what happened with ROCKY V: I recall a friend who was stuck playing ROCKY V saying of the film's second weekend that "a rock dropped out of an airplane couldn't fall any faster than ROCKY V did this weekend."

Posted by thatmovieguy at December 5, 2006 3:35 PM

comment #33

actionman says ...

All of the performances in DOMINO are terrific and spot-on and perfectly in synch with the rest of the movie.

The plot is twisted and clever and trippy...and makes total sense if you're paying attention.

There are almost too many "themes" running through Domino to pin-point one or another...lonliness, deception, friendship, heroics...all staple Tony Scott ingredients.

Thatmovieguy---interesting comments re: Balboa. It does look more bland than anything else; my negative reaction stems from my inability to take Stallone seriously at this point, and how clumsy the boxing action looks. Once you've seen Ali, there is no need to see anymore choreographed boxing sequences.

Posted by actionman at December 5, 2006 4:20 PM

comment #34

Monument says ...

From a Stallone Q&A on AICN

"Itâ€™s the first time in any of the ROCKY films where I actually engaged in punching with a professional. The reason I wanted to use a professional like Antonio, who was at the time the Light Heavyweight Champion of the world, is that in sports films actors try to duplicate the precision of a real professional athlete and it looks foolish.

In this fight we use the HBO boxing format and the same camera positions so it has the look of authenticity.

The second part is I wanted to have a great deal of physical contact in the ring so I wanted to use a professional who could adjust to the ebb and flow of an awkward boxer like Rocky. Tarver, being a great boxer, could adjust and delivers punches from angles that no actor could possibly duplicate. I was knocked down several times during the fight and we keep those in there.

If you want to see some real straight-on fighting and not the usual over the shoulder camera tricks, you might enjoy this fight a little bit more than the other ROCKY fights."

Posted by Monument at December 5, 2006 4:26 PM

comment #35

actionman says ...

hmmmmmmm....if all of these pains were taken for the sake of realism, I wonder why the footage glimpsed at in the trailer is so phony looking. maybe it's the cutting of the trailer...maybe not.

The stuff that Michael Mann and Emannuel Lubezki did in Ali was just incredible; they made the past come back to life in a boxing ring. I mean they were completely replicating entire moves and moments from Ali's fights. Sensational stuff.

Posted by actionman at December 5, 2006 4:36 PM

comment #36

Monument says ...

I agree, as a film fan and boxing aficionado, the fights in Ali were superb.

Posted by Monument at December 5, 2006 4:51 PM

comment #37

le corbeau says ...

Domino made Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot look like Oscar.

I haven't seen a Rocky movie since 3 came out but I gotta say, this trailer actually gets me every time. I still don't think I REALLY want to sit through it, but there'd be something kind of nice about Stallone returning to the character of his early promise and pulling it off.

Posted by le corbeau at December 5, 2006 5:51 PM

comment #38

Cadavra says ...

So does this mean Adam West should star in the next Batman movie? Sheesh.

Posted by Cadavra at December 5, 2006 9:32 PM

comment #39

jeffmcm says ...

Actionman, I never said the plot of DOMINO didn't make sense; I would merely say that I didn't give a crap about anything that was happening in it. And if you really thought that Keira Knightley gave a good performance, or that Tony Scott was saying or exploring something interesting in that movie aside from 'how much money can we make if I convince her to take her top off', then I think you need to broaden your viewing choices.

Posted by jeffmcm at December 5, 2006 9:54 PM

comment #40

jeffmcm says ...

I'd prefer to see Adam West's head grafted onto Christian Bale's torso via CGI. That would blow a few minds.

Posted by jeffmcm at December 5, 2006 9:56 PM

comment #41

joncro says ...

Remember when Doogie Howser walks in dressed like a Gestapo officer? The whole theatre belly laughed at my screening (in London, UK). Starship Troopers is still one of my fave comedies.

Posted by joncro at December 6, 2006 3:32 AM

comment #42

The Movie Man says ...

I could never decide if Starship Troopers' awfulness was intentional or not, if it is then its brilliant, if not its Showgirls with aliens. I would guess a little from column A, a little from Column B.

Posted by The Movie Man at December 6, 2006 7:52 AM

comment #43

christian says ...

his name is action, man. he doesn't care about superfluous things like character -- to say that DOMINO is better than the first ROCKY reveals a paucity of imagination that can only come from somebody infected with cultural ADD.

ROCKY remains one of the best films of the 70's, and stallone's iconic performance still holds up beautifully along with avildsen's low key naturalism combined with a not quite triumphant ending.

to compare cocaine addled offal like DOMINO to ROCKY makes no sense at all. you might as well have said that DOMINO is way more kickass than ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN...

Posted by christian at December 6, 2006 8:58 AM

comment #44

christian says ...

and i agree movie man that STARSHIP TROOPERS wants it both ways. that was my problem. it was clearly intended to tweak the fascism of galactic imperialism (the movie specifically states that we attacked first) along with doogie's obvious ss gear and the aryan youth touches.

but verhoven's a bit of a tool. why spend 100 million to make a thin thin fascist action film whose main point of interst is CG bugs? verhoven could have made the same point in a different film that worked better than ST.

Posted by christian at December 6, 2006 9:04 AM

comment #45

The Movie Man says ...

"his name is action, man. he doesn't care about superfluous things like character -- to say that DOMINO is better than the first ROCKY reveals a paucity of imagination that can only come from somebody infected with cultural ADD.

ROCKY remains one of the best films of the 70's, and stallone's iconic performance still holds up beautifully along with avildsen's low key naturalism combined with a not quite triumphant ending.

to compare cocaine addled offal like DOMINO to ROCKY makes no sense at all. you might as well have said that DOMINO is way more kickass than ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN..."

Agreed on all counts, and when I think of ROCKY, I think of several scenes but the all timer is when Rocky, beaten to the point of being nearly unrecognizable, waves Apollo with his fists to keep going. If Stallone gets 5 percent of that scene in BALBOA, I'll forgive him a lot of things.

Posted by The Movie Man at December 6, 2006 9:48 AM

comment #46