Rocky Balboa MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +4 Content: +2

Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, Milo Ventimiglia, Antonio Tarver, Geraldine Hughes. Sports drama. Written & directed by Sylvester Stallone.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Philadelphias beloved son, Rocky Balboa, has retired from the ring, lost his beloved Adrian, found himself estranged from his son, and now meets and greets customers to his bustling eatery. But a new champion is looking for publicity and manages to wrangle an exhibition fight with the aging Rocky.

PREVIEW REVIEW: Both Rocky Balboas main character and Rocky Balboas message are a little crinkly around the edges (though we should all be in such bad shape), but both are still enduring to those of us who root for the underdog and still believe in those old-fashioned themes of loyalty, spirituality, enduring love and doing the right thing. We who still cherish these values will find Sly Stallones sixth time in the cinema ring to be a winning knockout. A moving, personal story of a mans life, the films boxing takes a back seat. Oh, theres still plenty of pugilistic pummeling, and it is just as energetically choreographed and filmed as Rocky, One, Two, and Three, but here boxing is used as a metaphor (indeed, the film is a parable that deals with the battles we must undertake during our journey through life). Like the best sports movies, its plot centers around the discovery of what is really important. This, the aging Rocky has learned in sequel after sequel, and now must share with others in his life, including the new champ. Its a feel-good movie, one with an inspiring message. Mr. Stallone has definitely gone the distance.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: MGM