In the original ROCKY thirty years back, ROCKY BALBOA was given a one in a million chance shot of a lifetime to fight boxing champion Apollo Creed.  The film, also, against all odds went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture of the year.  In ROCKY BALBOA, the film begins with a conflict between him and his son.  Robert (Milo Ventimiglia) is ashamed of being seen with his dad (Sylvester Stallone) who spends evenings recalling the glory days to customers of his restaurant.  When a computer simulation matches the current champ Dixon (boxing superstar Antonio Tarver) against Rocky in his prime, the telecast arouses interest, resulting in an exhibition match in Las Vegas.

ROCKY BALBOA treads the same formulaic path as the original ROCKY.  Rocky Balboa is the underdog.  He is old and out of shape compared to Dixon.  But training and the human spirit triumph.  Since it is logically and physically impossible for Rocky to even go one or two rounds, the script emphasizes spirit (over body) ever so often in the film.  Rocky fans will be pleased that Burt Young is present as Rocky’s best buddy, Paulie and Bill Conti’s music still blares out loud during the training scenes.  A miserable looking pooch that is rescued and runs alongside when Rocky trains, is added to remind the audience that this is a film about heart.

As far as most of the film goes, ROCKY BALBOA is standard Hollywood storytelling – boring, predictable, sentimental and seen time and time again.  Rocky has to show his son what is right.  His new girl, little Marie (Geraldine Hughes), provides him moral support and female companionship.  But the father and son talk at the film’s end borders on the line of silliness and Robert’s sudden change of heart leading him to support his father in the fight is outright unbelievable.  Never have goose pimples being raised - so many in such a short period of time.  The final match between the Italian Stallion and Dixon is executed, at least with sufficient flare and exciting enough that barely makes the film worth a sit through.