In this corner; Mason Dixon reigning, undefeated World Heavyweight Champion with 33 wins, 30 inside the distance. He’s proven himself against a plethora of mid-rate opponents and now still needs to convince the public, that is starting to desert him, that he is a real champion. In the opposing corner Rocky Balboa, twice Heavyweight Champion and now restraunteur, still mourning the death of his beloved wife Adrian and still failing to connect with his son.
Rocky Balboa is very slow to get going as we need to fill in what happened since Rocky V and that terrible story about him training Tommy Gunn. Paulie is still with us although he’s desperately trying to get Rocky to move on and learn to live without Adrian. It really starts for Rocky when he meets a bar-worker whom he once walked home when she was a kid. Life begins to look interesting again for the ageing fighter who hung up his gloves long ago.
But fighters fight and a computer simulation of what could have been between Rocky and Mason Dixon lights a fire in both the current champ and the has-been Italian Stallion. Rocky even begins to connect with his son again, who had for many years lived in the shadow of his father and found that the Balboa name had been the only thing that had opened doors for him. The fight itself will give a share of the takings to charity and is labelled an exhibition match.
The first 60-70 minutes are quite sentimental and at times witty, only the incidental music brings any real memories back of the original film. Clearly this is a sequel to the original, as very few references are made to the other films - briefly Clubber Lang and Ivan ‘I will break you’ Drago are seen in flash backs.
But what Rocky films are all about are the last 30 or so minutes which have all the training and the fight itself. Rocky has no speed, no tactics and no hope apparently. His training team focus on strength, stamina and raw power. If they can get the body shots to work and keep a few south-paw haymakers in the tank then the old-timer might be in with a chance.
Training consists of running with his new dog ‘Punchy’ around the famous streets of Philidelphia and beating up hunks of meat. A tip of the hat to the original, probably a bit too much actually.
Las Vegas, Nevada hosts the fight and it’s a sell out - just what the promoters want. Even Mike Tyson shows up to give Mason Dixon some advice ;”it’s for charity” he squeaks.
The fight itself if classic Rocky. Two heavyweights who are both in the 220lbs bracket punching as fast as Ricky Hatton and knocking landing puches at a ridiculous rate. You can’t but chant ‘Rocky, Rocky, Rocky’ as the spirited elder hangs on in the early stages to win over both the commentary team, the crowd and the World. 10 heart filled rounds of gladitorial combat ensue and in the end, after a massive flurry where both fighters want to go for the knock-down, the fight ends with both men embracing. “You’ve got heart” Rocky says to Mason. Clearly hearing that from the man with the biggest heart in the galaxy means a lot to the champ. It goes to a judges decision. It’s a split decision… the winner being… well that would be telling now wouldn’t it.
Go see this film. it’s a good yarn. It’s nothing special but it’s far from terrible. If you like Rocky films then you’ll enjoy this. The whole fight sequence is filmed very much as though it’s being broadcast on HBO and is quite authentic. Stay for the credits at the end as people young and old climb the steps outside the Museum of Art in Philidelphia and re-enact the famous scene from the original Rocky film.