Rocky Balboa in Philly: Part 2

Rocky Balboa the movie can be summed up in a few words: slow, sentimental, gritty, and sappy.

The Philly crowd who viewed the film on opening night can also be described in a few choice words: slow, sentimental, gritty and sappy. Well maybe not "slow" slow, and maybe not as gritty as their reputation would lead you to believe, but definitely sappy and sentimental. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

As discussed in the Part 1 of this series, opening night in Philadelphia provided an opportunity to (1) take in the long, but not so awaited return of Sly to his Rocky trunks and (2) observe the raucous Philly crowd that would be showing up to cheer him on. Neither disappointed, but at the same time neither delivered the performance one might expect. The following review will attempt to paint a picture of this experience while keeping the dreaded "spoilers" to a minimum.
The night began with some much needed eats at a little known "local" South Philly establishment called "Barbecue Dave's". Sure, it wasn't Pat's or Geno's, but it was predictable slop and it was close in proximity to the Riverview theater where Rocky was being screened. After the famous food, we stopped by a local bar with a decidedly forced "jazz" atmosphere. After a drink or two, it was down the street to the Riverview with about a half hour until show time.

The scene at the theater was not as raucous as I had anticipated. The Riverview appeared to be a newer theater, but even a few short years of what I like to call "terrible management" can catch up to any commercial establishment. The Riverview was no exception - though it bore the name of a major chain (Regal, Edwards, UA - aren't they all the same company now anyways?), the funds of that corporation apparently weren't being wasted on niceties such as cleaning supplies and vacuum cleaners. While some might find these conditions discouraging, my heart warmed - I was excited that this was just the sort of gritty spot where the locals would blow the roof off cheering for Rocky. After a short wait (thanks to our friends, and yours, at Fandango), we scurried across the popcorn coated floor to our seats of choice.

As the theater filled, I paused to take note of my fellow Rocko-holics. While there were a few that met my terrible stereotypes of people from "Sout' Philly", most others seemed rather young, well dressed, and downright...suburbanite. My fashion senses had to be pushed aside though - it was time for the movie to start!

Is there anything better than watching a movie with a crowd that wants it to be good? It's a bit like a national political convention or a US Open Tennis match - you clap for everything and you really just want to be supporting a winner. What Rocky had over politics and tennis, however (aside from genuine interest from the American public), was the city itself. Every time the opening credits showed a shot of Philly, the crowd would cheer, applaud, or enlighten their fellow patron with a quick story such as "hey - that's where I take my dog to shit on our morning walk". The crowd, while not overly obnoxious, was genuinely excited to see a decent movie.

From the very beginning, you can tell that Rocky Balboa is alot more "Rocky" than it is "Rocky V". From the numerous shots of the city and Rocky's neighborhood right down to the aged and sagging Stallion himself, we realize that Lamborghinis and synthesizer music won't be a big part of the show. Sly apparently wanted to go back to the grit of the original movie, and he captured that - to an extent. In what was the worst kept secret about the movie going in (ok, ok - I'll do it....SPOILER ALERT!), we learn that Rocky's beloved Adrian has died. This discovery still interested me for two reasons: (1) I wondered if they would cast Rocko in a scandalous new love angle with a middle aged housewife from the mainline and (2) I thought his wife was already dead when she mailed in that pathetic performance in Rocky 4. Regardless, Adrian is dead for real now and Rocky is having a bit of a hard time dealing with it.

"What do you mean, Sly? That was 'with emotion!'"

In what becomes the main thrust of the movie, Rocky spends about an hour and twenty minutes of screen time reliving his past relationship with his wife (literally), struggling to maintain an awkward relationship with his son, and walking around his restaurant (yes - he has a restaurant) entertaining patrons in an odd sportscoat that makes him look like a cross between a valet, a catholic schoolboy, and an NFL Hall of Fame inductee. By the time he finally gets around to training, the movie is 75% over and we're left wondering if Rocky's ever going to fight at all. Strange as this dragging plot might seem - it works. I'm not sure if it was because I wanted the movie to succeed or because I was afraid to see Sly with his shirt off, but the slow buildup of the movie seems to fit the slow and dull life of the character. The movie takes its time explaining Rocky's undying celebrity in Philly and in a way this glimpse into the life of an aging Rocky is not unlike a reality show featuring a character many people have come to love through the years. By the time that famous music hits and Rocky's feet hit the jogging trail, we've done alot of catching up with our old friend.

Rather than walk you through the blow-by-blow (sorry) details of the entire movie, I'll take this opportunity to point out some highlights (and/or lowlights) that you'll want to watch out for if you view this movie yourself.

1. The Rocky-Mobile: I'm not sure if that is the official name, but Rocky has taken to driving a cargo van that calls to mind Tony Danza's ride in the opening credits of Who's The Boss. Rather than flashing the van in a few scenes to communicate to the audience that Rocky is a working class man, Sly decided to make the van an unbilled costar. Several key scenes in the movie take place in or around the van to the point that I probably wouldn't have been surprised if the vehicle started talking and driving itself around like KITT.
2. The Trashy Philly Girl in the Bar: I don't think this character was ever fully identified, but you will definitely know her when you see her. I'll go on record now - if this was an actor (and not an actual trashy Philly girl) then I believe a Best Supporting nod might be in order. Never has a bit player completely nailed the role of stereotypical local quite like this girl did. Kudos.
3. Rocky Junior's Preppy Coworkers: While the "preppy coworker" character has been played time and again in numerous movies, it's always refreshing to remind ourselves exactly where we don't want to fall in the scheme of life. While Rocky Junior eventually realizes the genuine assholiness of his friends, most of us already know the dangerous result rendered when frat boys are combined with a well paying job, Ikea, Starbucks, and Men's Warehouse.
4. Rocky's New Dame: I won't ruin the romance (or awkward lack thereof), but Rocky does pursue a friend/love interest in this film. While her character didn't bring a ton to the movie, her involvement did provide for some great unintentional humor. As we learn while the film progresses, Rocky's new lady friend has a son name "Steps". Steps, the product of an interracial marriage, provides a candid glimpse into the hilarity that is Sly's writing process. Can't you just see him sitting in his Beverly Hills mansion, drinking a protein shake from his favorite Rambo mug and pondering "What's a good name for the young non-white teenage character? What's hip and fresh that the kids these days would identify with? Wait! I know!...Steps!"

The list could go on, but I have to leave you some reason to want to see the movie. I will say that the biggest weakness I saw was the development of the villain, the ingeniously named Mason "The Line" Dixon (I'm confident Sly dreamed up this classic about 5 minutes after Steps came into being). As far as Rocky villains go, Dixon falls well below Hulk Hogan's forgettable Thunderlips character. In what should have been classic Rocky tradition, I entered the theater expecting a new entertaining bad guy to hate. Who would it be to join Apollo, Clubber and Drago in the Murderer's Row of movie villains? Unfortunately, it won't be Mason Dixon. Before you all dash off to your emails to explain the intricacies of the movie, let me explain. I understand that Rocky's "demons" and overall inability to cope with growing old and losing his wife are his "real opponent" in this film, but is it too much to ask that an evil, cartoon-like villain show up across the ring from him? Mason Dixon could just as easily have been the winner of that stupid Contender show and we really wouldn't have known the difference. Have him harass some girl scouts, club baby seals, do something - but don't let us get to the big fight with any insecurity as to whether we completely hate the bad guy.

That gaping plot hole aside, the movie itself gets a solid B+ rating from yours truly. I don't see it competing for Best Picture any time soon, but I do think it did a great job of wrapping up the series and not disrespecting its predecessors. If Rocky 5 was the Phantom Menace of the Italian Stallion franchise, then Rocky Balboa can be the Clone Wars closure that we all needed.

As the closing credits rolled, I once again took the opportunity to assess my fellow movie patrons. We had clapped and cheered together at many points in the film, but the Rocky chants I had hoped for never broke out and the rowdiness was generally quite subdued. Amongst my fellow moviegoers I saw quite a few who looked and talked like the "Trashy Philly Girl at the Bar". I also spotted some of "Rocky Junior's Preppy Coworkers". Despite the stereotypes, which they no doubt fit to a T, on this night they were all sappy and sentimental. Just like the movie...and just like the aged Stallion himself. The night wasn't rowdy, but the movie wasn't either - it worked. In the end, I think I can live with that. Until next time...I'm...'Gonna FLY Now!'