Like its odds-defying hero, Rocky Balboa is the biggest surprise of the holiday season.

Full Review | Mar 24, 2007

Stallone wanted this movie to restore dignity to his greatest character. He succeeds, better then anyone might have expected.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Feb 23, 2007

The ol' lug can't be blamed for wanting one last victory lap, but if you've got nothing to offer except benign nostalgia, just let the gloves stay on the glory-days shelf.

| Original Score: 2/6 | Feb 3, 2007

The film meanders along this path for a long, slow while, a primitive soap opera dressed up as street poetry.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 27, 2007

The unfortunate effect is that of an invisible angel of death hooking Rocky's mouth with a fishing line and implacably reeling him in.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Jan 20, 2007

Even goodwill can't make this look like anything more than a glorified 온라인카지노추천 special. Surely it's time for the audience to throw in the towel?

| Jan 16, 2007

If you hear the Rocky theme and think '118 118', you might wonder what all the fuss is about. For the rest of us, this is a reminder of why we fell in love with the character in the first place.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 4, 2007

... despite some clunky melodramatics and questionable, M온라인카지노추천-esque editing barrages -- the film swings, stings, and sings.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 30, 2006

When asked why he would step back into the ring, even though he's out of shape and in his late 50s, the Italian Stallion mumbles something about "the stuff... inside," which sums up the thin justification for Rocky Balboa.

Full Review | Original Score: C | Dec 28, 2006

As usual with Stallone's Rocky sequels, the schmaltz is unbearable, but the fight is plausibly handled, and Stallone's sincere sadness at growing older makes this an unexpectedly satisfying conclusion to the series.

| Dec 20, 2006

It is a good movie, solid entertainment perfect for a cold winter's afternoon, and for all my initial reticence now that I've watched it I can't wait to climb back into the ring for a second time.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 20, 2006

Touchingly nostalgic, the sixth chapter in the saga of Sylvester Stallone's eternal underdog packs a far more powerful punch than anyone would have expected.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 20, 2006

Rocky Balboa scores a split decision: A familiar start, some flat-footed middle rounds and a solid, flailing finish.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 20, 2006

The first four-fifths of the film is a meandering lead-up to the inevitable getting-in-shape montage, run up the steps and a big fight. Up until that point, all Rocky does is talk. And talk. And talk.

| Original Score: C- | Dec 20, 2006

It's just good to see the guy, and it's good to revisit the character. And that's everything good to be said for the experience.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Dec 20, 2006

Ultimately, is Rocky Balboa necessary? Of course not. But neither are plenty of other movies that find their way to theaters, and this one at least provides some undemanding entertainment.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 20, 2006

Shamelessly nostalgic, strenuously formulaic and utterly bereft of unforeseen developments, Rocky Balboa nevertheless has its modest charms.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Dec 20, 2006

I gotta admit that I had a pretty good time watching this 94th film in a series that started 30 years ago.

Full Review | Dec 20, 2006

There were titters, yes. But to this viewer, sentimentality won by a knockout.

| Dec 20, 2006

It's actually the best Rocky movie since the original -- a fitting and triumphant final chapter for one of the most iconic characters in the history of motion pictures.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Dec 20, 2006