SCREEN IT! PARENTAL REVIEW: ROCKY BALBOA

"ROCKY BALBOA"
(2006) (Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Tarver) (PG)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
Heavy	Moderate	Moderate	Minor	None

Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Mild	None	None	Minor	Mild

Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Minor	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate

QUICK TAKE:: Drama: An aged heavyweight boxer tries to return to the ring one last time to take on the current champ.

PLOT:

It's been years since boxer Rocky Balboa (SYLVESTER STALLONE) was heavyweight champion of the world. With his wife and longtime manager now dead, Rocky's moved on to running a neighborhood Philly restaurant where he enjoys entertaining the patrons with his tales of old.

His annual tour of reliving the past by visiting his old haunts, however, no longer sits well with his former brother-in-law, Paulie (BURT YOUNG) who has a more negative outlook on life than his more famous relative. That old fame has also led to something of an estranged relationship with his adult son, Rocky Jr. (MILO VENTIMIGLIA), who feels he's never been able to get out from under the shadow of his hometown-favorite father.

Accordingly, he isn't happy when Rocky decides to reenter the ring one last time. It seems current heavyweight champion Mason "The Line" Dixon (ANTONIO TARVER) could use some good publicity, so his camp has come up with the idea of an exhibition bout. Despite seemingly being too old, Rocky still has the fire in him, and thus proceeds to train for the big fight.

At the same time, he befriends and then finally employs Marie (GERALDINE HUGHES), a local woman he once knew as a child who now has a teenager, Steps (JAMES FRANCIS KELLY III), of her own. She's somewhat suspicious of why he's being so nice to them, but he seems to enjoy their platonic friendship. That and other elements serve as inspiration for him as he prepares to enter the ring and take on his much younger and formidable competitor.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: If they're fans of the "Rocky" movies or boxing in general, they probably will.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG: For boxing violence and some language.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:: SYLVESTER STALLONE plays the now low-key and amiable but determined former heavyweight champion of the world who, despite his advancing years, decides to step into the ring one last time to take on Mason. He does so due to a fire still burning within him, while he also befriends Marie and her teenage son.
ANTONIO TARVER plays the arrogant and brash current heavyweight champion who reluctantly agrees to fight Rocky, but only because his handlers think it's a good business move.
BURT YOUNG plays Rocky's former brother-in-law, a pessimistic drunk who still hangs around the former champ.
GERALDINE HUGHES plays a mild-mannered bartender who's suspicious of Rocky's friendliness toward her and her teenage son since she last saw the champ when she was just a girl (although she eventually realizes everything is platonic).
MILO VENTIMIGLIA plays Rocky's young adult son who still feels that he lives under his father's long and quite famous shadow.
JAMES FRANCIS KELLY III plays Marie's teenage son who's initially a little cold toward Rocky (not knowing his intentions) but quickly warms up to him.; ANTONIO TARVER plays the arrogant and brash current heavyweight champion who reluctantly agrees to fight Rocky, but only because his handlers think it's a good business move.
BURT YOUNG plays Rocky's former brother-in-law, a pessimistic drunk who still hangs around the former champ.
GERALDINE HUGHES plays a mild-mannered bartender who's suspicious of Rocky's friendliness toward her and her teenage son since she last saw the champ when she was just a girl (although she eventually realizes everything is platonic).
MILO VENTIMIGLIA plays Rocky's young adult son who still feels that he lives under his father's long and quite famous shadow.
JAMES FRANCIS KELLY III plays Marie's teenage son who's initially a little cold toward Rocky (not knowing his intentions) but quickly warms up to him.; BURT YOUNG plays Rocky's former brother-in-law, a pessimistic drunk who still hangs around the former champ.
GERALDINE HUGHES plays a mild-mannered bartender who's suspicious of Rocky's friendliness toward her and her teenage son since she last saw the champ when she was just a girl (although she eventually realizes everything is platonic).
MILO VENTIMIGLIA plays Rocky's young adult son who still feels that he lives under his father's long and quite famous shadow.
JAMES FRANCIS KELLY III plays Marie's teenage son who's initially a little cold toward Rocky (not knowing his intentions) but quickly warms up to him.; GERALDINE HUGHES plays a mild-mannered bartender who's suspicious of Rocky's friendliness toward her and her teenage son since she last saw the champ when she was just a girl (although she eventually realizes everything is platonic).
MILO VENTIMIGLIA plays Rocky's young adult son who still feels that he lives under his father's long and quite famous shadow.
JAMES FRANCIS KELLY III plays Marie's teenage son who's initially a little cold toward Rocky (not knowing his intentions) but quickly warms up to him.; MILO VENTIMIGLIA plays Rocky's young adult son who still feels that he lives under his father's long and quite famous shadow.
JAMES FRANCIS KELLY III plays Marie's teenage son who's initially a little cold toward Rocky (not knowing his intentions) but quickly warms up to him.; JAMES FRANCIS KELLY III plays Marie's teenage son who's initially a little cold toward Rocky (not knowing his intentions) but quickly warms up to him.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.

(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).

OUR WORD TO PARENTS:

The following is a brief summary of the content found in this PG-rated drama. Profanity consists of a mild amount of expletives, while some colorful phrases are also uttered. Standard boxing violence is present (along with some resultant bloodiness), while some of that and/or the training bits might be enticing for some kids to imitate.

Various bad attitudes are present, while characters drink and/or smoke (one does a lot of both). Tense family material includes a somewhat estranged father/adult son relationship, as well as a man remembering his late wife and visiting her grave.

If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content.

For those concerned with bright flashes of light on the screen, there's some of that during a fireworks type display before a boxing match.

For those prone to visually induced motion sickness, there are varying amounts of handheld camerawork in the film (sometimes a lot).

ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE: Miscellaneous people have wine in Rocky's restaurant.
Paulie drinks from a bottle on the street while with Rocky (and then does so again).
A few people in a tavern drink where Rocky orders a beer.
Miscellaneous people have wine in Rocky's restaurant.
Rocky Jr., his friends, and others have beer and drinks in a bar.
Paulie drinks.
Paulie drinks and appears drunk after being laid off.
Miscellaneous people have wine in Rocky's restaurant.
Paulie drinks.
Miscellaneous people have drinks and beer in a bar.

BLOOD/GORE: We see some raw sides of beef hanging in a meat packing plant where Paulie works. Later, we see blood on one as Rocky practices by punching it hard.
Both Rocky and Mason have bloody injuries during their boxing bout (from cuts on their faces, from their noses and mouths, etc.), but nothing that's terribly graphic. During this, we also see a flashback to Rocky punching the hanging side of beef and some blood spraying out from that with a punch.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE: Mason is something of an arrogant champion.
There's talk of fans throwing ice at Mason after he's won (as the fans don't like him).
A young woman has a bad attitude toward Rocky as well as Marie in the tavern where the latter works. Later, and outside, that woman and her friends (several women and one man) continue to harass Rocky until he confronts the man and raises his fist (but does so just to scare him).
About Rocky's restaurant, Paulie, who's near constantly bitter and/or pessimistic, says that Italian food cooked by Mexicans is nothing special.
About seeing Marie's son (who's black), Paulie asks, "Who's the criminal?" and states they should hide the silverware.
A TV sports commentator jokes about Rocky's restaurant being called "pounded chicken."
When Marie asks Paulie (not knowing who he is) if he has a reservation at the restaurant, he sarcastically replies, "Do I look like a freaking Indian?"
A commentator refers to Rocky as "Balboasaurus" (making fun of him being old).

FRIGHTENING SCENES: It's possible some viewers might find the boxing scenes as suspenseful.

GUNS/WEAPONS: None.

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR: Phrases: "Mad as hell," "I don't give a damn," "You bum," "Freaking cold," "Screw you, creepo," "Bastards," "You're the fool," "Dumb ass," "You punch drunk goofy bastard," "Too damn tired to breathe," "Oh hell no," "Nuts" (crazy), "Whatever the hell you want," "Do I look like a freaking Indian?" (said after being asked if one has a reservation), "Balboasaurus," "Pissed," "Get your ass knocked down," "Shut up," "It's your ass" and "You're a crazy old man."
The boxing material might be enticing for some kids to imitate.
Rocky drinks raw eggs in training.
We briefly see Mike Tyson in the audience with the tattoo on his face and a gold tooth in his mouth.

JUMP SCENES: None.

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE): None.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE): Several songs included the word "ass" in them.

PROFANITY: At least 7 asses, 4 damns, 4 hells, 1 crap and 1 use of "G-damn."

SEX/NUDITY: Various male boxers are obviously shirtless during boxing related moments (the bouts, weighing in, etc.).
The young woman who holds up the boxing round sign in the ring shows a bit of cleavage (briefly seen once).

SMOKING: Paulie smokes or holds unlit cigars at least 8 times, while miscellaneous people do the same (cigars) and at least one smokes a cigarette.

TENSE FAMILY SCENES: Rocky visits his late wife's grave, as does her brother, Paulie, who states that Rocky Jr. should be there.
Rocky Jr. isn't happy being Rocky's son because, as he says, he casts a big shadow under which to live. Several scenes deal with that.
Rocky goes on a tour down memory lane of his life with his late wife (we see various, quick flashbacks of them together, etc.). This is more happy than sad, but it reminds him of his loss.
About his late sister, Paulie says he treated her badly and that he can't go down memory lane about her with Rocky anymore.
We hear that Rocky's late wife had cancer.
We hear that Marie's husband took off sometime in the past, leaving her to raise their son alone.
Rocky and his adult son visit Adrian's gravesite.

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT: Rocky Jr. isn't happy being Rocky's son because, as he says, he casts a big shadow under which to live.
We hear that Rocky's late wife had cancer.
Marie (who's white) having a black son (his father is Jamaican).
The notion of comparing athletes from different eras and trying to figure out who was the best among them.
The question of whether you should stop trying something just because of your age.
Boxing commissions and why one here denies Rocky a license to fight.
The business side of sports such as boxing.
Alcoholism.
The comment that fighters fight (meaning that's what they do).
The comment that the world is a tough place, and it's not about how hard you're hit, but how much you can take and yet keep going forward.
The comment that the last thing to age on someone is their heart.

VIOLENCE: We see standard boxing blows in the ring as Mason fights a number of opponents.
Rocky pushes a man (who's been harassing him) back against a wall and raises his fist (but just to scare him, which works).
We see clips of boxing in both Rocky and Mason's careers.
During their bout where various hard blows are delivered to the body and face, Mason breaks his hand when hitting Rocky's hip.
Both Rocky and Mason have bloody injuries during that boxing bout (from cuts on their faces, from their noses and mouths, etc.), but nothing that's terribly graphic. During this, we also see a flashback to Rocky punching a hanging side of beef and some blood spraying out from that with a punch.

Reviewed December 4, 2006 / Posted December 20, 2006

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