I went with my friend Gabe to the new Rocky Balboa movie, and was amazed at how much I enjoyed it! I have always enjoyed the Rocky series. It’s always good for some cheesy entertainment, with Adrian screaming for Rocky, and Rocky screaming for Adrian. You go to a Rocky movie, and you know what to expect, you know?
First off, I like that they didn’t call it Rocky VI. It’s definitely not the same movie that we’re used to seeing with Rocky. I won’t spoil anything, but it’s really an emotionally charged movie. It’s good to have seen the earlier movies, thought, as they do pay a great deal of homage to what has come before.
And here’s something I didn’t know if I would be able to say after this movie; This film is seriously wholesome. The Rocky series has never been about debauchery or violence. Sure, the whole point of the movies seem to be boxing, which many see as needless violence. However, I remind you, the movies are far more about Rocky trying to provide for his family and make a place for his family in the world. He was never about fortune and fame. He supported his wife with his only skill, and that was boxing. You can question his choices…that’s fine. But if more men would use all of their being to love and support their families, I think we’d read the news in a far better mood these days.
The new Rocky movie contains no swearing that I can remember. There’s absolutely no adultery. And Rocky is one of the most giving people I have ever seen on the silver screen who is not portrayed as overtly Christian. Sure, he prays before he fights. He has the Scriptures read to him before he goes into the ring. But the film isn’t preachy, except perhaps to remind people that if they love Rocky as a character, it’s because he is a wonderful person. Reminds us that if we would like to be loved, perhaps we ought to be as loving as he is.
This movie is just stunning, and I was happy to have seen it in the theater. I would like to leave you with a surprising quote from Sylvester Stallone that convinced me that I should see this movie.
“The more I go to church,” he said, “and the more I turn myself over to the process of believing in Jesus and listening to His Word and having Him guide my hand, I feel as though the pressure is off me now.”
He admits that he’s not always followed the example of Christ, but that he is attempting to turn his life around, beginning with going to church. In this quote, Stallone reminds us that Christianity isn’t a solo gig. He reminds us why the Lord calls us to not forsake meeting with one another.
“You need to have the expertise and the guidance of someone else. You cannot train yourself,” he said. “I feel the same way about Christianity and about what the church is: The church is the gym of the soul.”
This is the original article from citizenlink.org, and I recommend both the article and the movie for your edification. :)
I was always a fan of the series, but after Rocky IV, I didn’t even bother with Rocky V (which I’m told was a wise decision on my part – Stallone even talks negatively about it). But after reading some of the same quotes you have above, and hearing that it was much more like the original movie, I went Saturday.
Good decision. Everything from the story to the acting was well done. Even the obligatory fight, which could have ruined the film given Rocky’s age, was successful. If you like Rocky at all (and maybe even if you haven’t) this film is worth seeing.
That’s something I didn’t even cover in my “review”, and that is Stallone’s acting. He really did a stellar job…you’re right, Deschain. The scene where he’s talking to Paulie and trying not to completely bawl? Wow. That’s all I can say. It was definitely well-acted. You could really get into how Rocky feels regarding his wife and son…you could see it all over his face. Man, it was a good movie. I hope I can convince my wife to see it. :)