5/5 Just when you thought it was over...
  by Texan (Texas)
Its Balboa coming back, no its Creed, now its Balboa...no...its Part 6 to this never ending saga!

And you know what? Rocky Balboa is probably the best one since Rocky II. What a relief it is to know that Stallone can make a credible movie at the end of his career. Who knows, may be Stallone is just getting warmed up... Rocky 7????

4/5 i'm the demographic , that's getting rare
  by B. Lafave (lakeland , fl)
this film is not without flaw . it gets so much so right though , it's not even about the fight . we all know the ROCKY films have not been RAGING BULL from the get go . the first film was a tremendously uplifting story about the spirit of an individual brawler who never would have prevailed giving and getting such superhuman punishment . if MR. TARVER'S character were to actually box MR. STALLONE'S character , it would last moments . it wouldn't even happen in exhibition . it's a mistake to observe this film as if it were an approximation of CINDERELLA MAN . you forgive the deep dark dye job if you understand that this film is about maturity . between the first film and this picture there were a lot of fun movies that were guilty pleasures more often than not . fun to watch over and over because of their implausibe and rote formula of good verses bad or proud or unfair . this rousing picture serves as a proper bookend to the first great chapter in a character saga . one in which we don't have to see the central character aged by make up but rather actual time itself . STALLONE'S maturity informs an individual so right and real that the only significant flaw is that he manages to go several rounds with the young boxer . by surrounding himself with an outstanding group of actors young and old . by putting so much truth into the lions share of what occurs on screen (in word and deed) . i feel he made the finest ROCKY picture yet . after its' fashion , nearly as satisfying and thrilling as MILLION DOLLAR BABY . great motion picture making . great entertainment . the coda that was needed .

5/5 The Real Rocky 3
  by Anthony Iozzo (Toronto, Canada)
I have always been a fan of the first two Rocky films, as they portrayed a more realistic story. Rocky III, IV, and V were only for commercial purpose and as such lost the spirit of the original two. Now with Rocky Balboa we can enjoy one last time the original character and story. I now view the Rocky franchise as a trilogy of Rocky I,II and Rocky Balboa/III.
On the whole a well written and touching story about life and the pains of this world. We not only sympathize with the title character, but all other minor roles. His son trying to make it on his own, the single insecure mother, Pauly and his guilt, and Mason the champion. This movie has it all. Good job!!!

3/5 More sentimental than good but worth it
  by Cobra (CA - USA)
Well it's hard not to like the Rocky saga in general, although I could very easily have done without Rocky IV & V. This final episode is basically a sentimental recapturing of a sorts of the original Rocky film. He's now clearly "WAY" past his prime and it's tough to even look at him frankly. As another reviewer very correctly stated no boxing commission anywhere would sanction such a fight (exhibition or not). However, in true overcome-all-odds fashion Rocky somehow makes it happen. I won't give away the results of the match because frankly the official results are unimportant and not what he's after. He's after validation just one more time. Validation that he still matters . . . that the fire that still burns within him means something. Adrian believed in him and he now needs to believe in himself just one last time. Is it a great film? Nope. However, it's a warm sentimental film of remembrance not only of his journey and saga but of particular meaning to many of us baby boomer's who are aging and would like just one more moment in the sun before we head off to the rocking chair. Rocky's "rock" was Adrian and he pays beautiful and appropriate tribute to her as the one person who did believe in him unconditionally. The moral is to never give up and believe in yourself regardless of age or who says you can't do something. Thanks Mr. Stallone for making this final film. It was a far nicer ending to the Rocky series than Rocky V as it very warmly closed the circle of magic. Thanks for the memories.

5/5 If you loved the original, then SEE THIS FILM!
  by Kevin (United States)
This will be short: This film is only one micro-millimeter away from being just as good as the original "Rocky". It is poignant, well-written, very well acted, and, if you'll forgive the boxing terminology, it packs quite a punch.

Folks, when I first heard that Stallone was doing yet another "Rocky" sequel, my first response was, "He's GOT to be kidding, right???" I just couldn't believe it, and I thought that it was a sure sign that Stallone's career really was over. I was certainly sad to think that, because I've always been a big fan.

This is one of those very rare occasions that I was well and truly wrong about something. This is a very good film, and deserves to be given credit as being what it is: The best of the "Rocky" sequels. Stallone's writing and acting, as well as his direction of this film, haven't been this good in some time.

If you loved the original "Rocky", and you haven't already done so, SEE THIS FILM!

You'll thank me later.