The only surprise about seeing a 60-year-old Sylvester Stallone step into the well-worn character that made him a screen legend is how well the working class incarnation holds up as a repository for entertainment. A computer-generated match-up reveals that, in his prime, Rocky would win against the reigning boxing champion, Mason "The Line" Dixon. The televised publicity inspires Rocky to take a hiatus from telling the same old stories to patrons of the Italian restaurant he owns, and go to work preparing for an exhibition match against Mason for charity. Composer Bill Conti returns to the franchise to lay the musical foundation for Rocky to realize his dream of proving himself in the ring one last time. Stallone wrote and directed this cinematic ride down memory lane that puts a final grace note on his indelible creation, Rocky Balboa.
Rated PG. 102 mins. (B-) (Three Stars)
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