this film comes 16 years after the last part Rocky V, the saga started in 1976 and if you are a lover of rough off numbers. you go to appreciate that the last film comes 30 years after the first one.

what was the issue with the fifth one that they made another part after 16 years you ask, it failed to give a send off to this iconic character, failing to make enough money in box office and being a mostly forgetfully film overall, didnt sit well with Sylvester Stallone, who rightfully considered this saga his brainchild and thus a fitting end was needed, and this film definitely is that.

this film tries to emulate the first film going back to the roots, even though the director to this film is the man Rocky himself. it seems he has learned from the days of directing the 2nd,3rd and 4th films by toning down the action and concentrating on the characters and their dynamics. making the film about a aged Rocky an old man Rocky and his life direction after he becomes a widower. this gives a dynamic to the family that has been built up since the 5 movies. the whole fight takes a back seat and just is mostly a thing to have a good final fight to end the Rocky saga, but the core is the drama and its what makes this movie fresh compared to the 5th this one just so much better.

this movie shines for knowing its characters knowing them very well and thus to the fan of the movie its a treat as old characters minor characters from previous movie are reference or shown to give as a wholesome feel to the world and as well as show that time has changed and movie on. yet our Rocky remains the same. the core that made this story comes full circle. the one thing that can be associated with the character Rocky is his never giving spirit and this movie milks that aspect to its best value. and never is it more apparent the famous quote of this film. as to me this line was not only said by Rocky but in part said by Sylvester Stallone after his years in industry struggling and the experience he amassed in those years .

And when things got hard, you started looking for something to blame, like a big shadow. Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that! I’m always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, ya ain’t gonna have a life. Don’t forget to visit your mother.

Rocky Balboa

ranking time

Rocky III > Rocky IV > Rocky = Rocky Balboa > Rocky II > Rocky V

75 movies down…………..425 to go

see you soon

goodbye