the movieGOOMBA

3 GOOMBAS

Did you guys know that Sylvester Stallone started out as a porn star? He kinda looks sleazy like that, huh? ::shudders:: And I think that he got a really bad eye lift sometime between Rocky V and Rocky Balboa, furthering the gnarly, Sly look. Though, he's still a talented guy, regardless of his past or his looks, which is why Rocky Balboa was a great final installment to the Rocky series.

Following the same formula of its predecessors, Rocky Balboa begins with an internal conflict, Rocky verse Rocky. Balboa has lost his beloved wife Adrian to cancer, and is estranged from his only son, Robert, played by former Gilmore Girl cutie Milo Ventimiglia. Retired and alone, Rocky owns a local restaurant where he devotes most of his time re-telling tales of "the good old days" to enthusiastic customers. In a modern world where life depends on technology for entertainment, a favorite national sports show computer generates boxing athletes from both modern and previous times based on known stats. The show then has the athlete's pixilated counterparts fight one another. The outcome of the Mason "The Line" Dixon vs. the Italian Stallion computer match-up caused a stir in the sports world, and people got an itch to see a real live one-on-one.

Though we correctly expected the general progression of the plot, Rocky Balboa is surprisingly interesting and sincere. It was way better than I thought it would be, that's for sure. The lighting is exceptional, and the characters had depth and humility. The pathos in this film was overwhelming, making the victory bounteous. Of course there was the signature "Rocky is in training" montage, and other typical scenes, but the fight scene was artistic and well thought out. The use of slow motion and shots in black and white film aids in the scene's appeal. It made me cringe with pain just watching the two champs go at it.