![]() To prepare for this war – and it is no exaggeration to describe this fight as such – Balboa went back to basics, his training camp in Krasnogourbinsk so remote and apparently primitive that it made you wonder if the man had taken leave of his senses. Derailing the Siberian Express looked an impossibility. However, those close to Balboa, and the vast majority of his fans, were rightly worried that Rocky was risking his own life in his attempts to avenge the events of that fateful night. It wasn't just the members of the boxing press who were appalled with the comments made by the Russians in the immediate aftermath of the so-called exhibition bout in Las Vegas, and America at large wanted revenge. Yet the impression that the great man was doing it for his close friend was beyond doubt. Whether victory here in Moscow tonight can provide Balboa with full closure over his part in Apollo Creed's tragic death is questionable. There are worse ways to spend your Christmas Day than this. But in a performance so brave that it seemed to extend the limits of humanity, the former heavyweight champion of the world not only silenced his doubters in defeating Ivan Drago, he also turned a hostile home crowd in his favour, so much so that come the end of almost 15 rounds of brutal boxing, cries of "Rocky, Rocky" were resonating around the auditorium. But, truth be told, it's damn entertaining hogwash.Wow! Many felt Rocky Balboa was crazy to take this fight in Moscow, myself included among the dissenting voices. As for the fight, in which computer analytics break down the actualities in a staged exhibition between far-over-the-hill Rocky and the current champion, it borders on hogwash. Rocky's embattled relationship with his son teeters on the same melodramatic precipice, but it nonetheless rings true. ![]() If only his scenes with Stallone - mostly them trekking through Philadelphia revisiting long gone haunts - didn't descend into melodrama. It's also great to see Young, so long relegated to third tier player, finally get elevated to second billing. Here, as a restaurateur happily telling old fight stories at - you guessed it -Adrian's, his next chapter feels wholly appropriate and plausible yet entirely respectful of the Balboa legacy. With Adrian - long Rocky's anchor - out of the picture, the iconic character gets a refreshing new story arc while keeping her spirit very much alive and Stallone brings great poignancy to the part. Somebody Up There Likes Me is a film about and expression attributed to boxing champ Rocky Marciano, but it likewise applies to another successful pugilist called Rocky, namely Balboa. In this PG-rated sports drama, widower Rocky Balboa (Stallone) comes out of retirement and dons his gloves for his final fight, which pits him against the reigning heavyweight champ Mason 'The Line' Dixon (Antonio Tarver). Even though the film revisits a lot of the franchise's past and the main event proves far-fetched, this heart-warming sequel nonetheless ratchets up the entertainment value for an entire 12 rounds. ![]() If viewers watch blow for blow, however, they're truly in for one of the better Rocky films. ![]() After all, the fourth Rocky sequel denigrated the series and our hero retired 20 years ago. Audiences have every reason to want to boo this latter-day follow-up without even watching the fight-let alone sitting ringside. Restoring the character's Can-Do underdog qualities, this Rocky-solid redemption tale truly deserves a look from anyone who dropped out of the franchise after the low blow known as Rocky V.
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