I just returned from seeing Rocky Balboa and thought I would share some thoughts.

Now, the reader must beware, it really did not matter what happened in the movie, I was going to come away defending it one way or another (just like I did with Rocky V). I have been a Rocky fan since the first movie. I had a big painting of Rocky from Rocky II that went we me everywhere I went. I used to watch Rocky pray before the first bell of round 1 and think to myself “see, he is a Christian.” Among other things let me make this a short list of further confirming details about my undying devotion to the Rocky legacy: I had a punching bag in my garage because of the movie, I named my German Shepherd Rocky, I had the entire Adrian-Rocky dialog on the beach from Rocky III memorized (. . . ahem, still do), and I even used to pray that one day Sylvester Stallone would trust Christ. All of this to say that my evaluation of this movie was going to be tainted no matter what happened. Still, I was nervous going into the theater and was relieved that I was able to go alone as my wife and three kids went to see Charlot’s Web (needed the time alone…just in case).

Cut to the chase. This movie was excellent (a relief?) from start to finish. Rocky was the Rock of old. While in Rocky V the attempts were made to return the character back to the characteristics that made people love him, it really did not do well. Rocky Balboa was able to do this and much more. Maybe it is because I am older now or maybe it is because Sylvester Stallone (who wrote and directed the movie) has now, according to reports, become a Christian (and yes, if true, I do take credit for his conversion), but I could see more the genius of his character. His humble state of simplicity (playing the part of a simpleton) was inspiring. Here we have the two time heavy weight champion of the world not caught up in who he was, what he deserved, or the stardom that had necessarily faded with age, but only concerned with what he could still do. He refused to accept the seemingly undeniable reality that the better years of his life were behind him.

I will not spoil the movie for anyone, but, really, you know what is going to happen. It follows the same format at the previous movies. Yet somehow this is different. The focus is not on the fight in the ring, but the fight within. Rocky Balboa’s aged character adds much unexpected emotional attachment to the circumstance in which he finds himself and moves the viewer along inspiring them in a very nuanced way. Rocky is a different kind of hero in Rocky Balboa.

OK, I know that is sounded too much like a typical movie review, so let me say just one more thing. This movie is redemptive and inspiring. It might even have been better if this was the only Rocky movie ever made. Why? Because it has such a self-contained and well rounded story. One can only think of Caleb, who advanced in years did not think his age a deterring factor in what he could still accomplish. It was not about the title, respect, or dignity, but about not giving up on life, understanding that we are all what we are (in Rocky’s case a boxer) and we will always have something in the “basement” to contribute to our short life.

Rocky also contributes significantly to his son’s life in one very simple speech that made me want to stand up and cheer. In sum, his son is complaining about having to live in his father’s shadow, blaming him for all his problems. Rocky does not surcumb to the advise and complaints of others as it typical of the character. Rather, in his uneducated way of speaking, he speaks with the kind of wisdom and boldness that few people have the courage to say (including me). He tells his son, in not so many words, ”Life is tough and it is not going to give you anything. You are what you are because of you, not someone else. So stop blaming others for who you are and make yourself something on your own.”

Bravo Sly. Highly recommended. I look forward to seeing other peoples good comments and deleting the bad.