According to Stallone, he was “negligent” in the production ofRocky V, leaving him and many of the fans disappointed with the presumed end of the series. Stallone also mentioned that the storyline ofRocky Balboaparallels his own struggles and triumphs in recent times.[5]In addition to Stallone, the film starsBurt Youngas Paulie, Rocky’s brother-in-law, and real-life boxerAntonio Tarveras Mason “The Line” Dixon, the heavyweight division champion in the film. Boxing promoterLou DiBellaplays himself in the movie and acts as Dixon’s promoter in the film.Milo Ventimigliaplays Rocky’s son Robert, now an adult. It also features the return of two minor characters from the original movie into larger roles in this film: Marie, the young woman that Rocky attempts to steer away from trouble; and Spider Rico, the first opponent that Rocky is shown fighting in the original film. The film also contains many references to characters and objects from previous installments in the series, especially the first.
The film was released on December 20, 2006, 30 years after the release ofRocky(1976), byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer,Columbia PicturesandRevolution Studios, and exceeded box office expectations with a mainly positive critical reaction. It was released in several formats for its home media release, and DVD sales have exceeded $34 million. It was followed by the 2015 spin-off/sequel filmCreed, directed byRyan Coogler, and the November 2018 follow-up, titledCreed II, directed bySteven Caple Jr.
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Rocky Balboa, now in his early sixties, has been facing some changing times in his life over the passing years. He now runs a small but successful Italian restaurant named after his wifeAdrian, who died from ovarian cancer four years prior. He also battles personal demons from his grief over Adrian’s death, and his eroding relationship with his son Robert, now a struggling corporate employee.Paulie, Rocky’s best friend and brother-in-law, continues to support him whenever he can, but is constantly guilt-ridden over his past poor treatment towards his late sister and accuses Rocky of living in the past.
Late one night, Rocky meets a woman named Marie, who was once a troublesome young girl Rocky had escorted home thirty years ago. Marie is now a single parent of a teenage son born out of wedlock named Stephenson, nicknamed “Steps”. Rocky’s friendship with Marie quickly blossoms over the following weeks and he meets and bonds with Steps, providing him a much-needed buffer for his anguish.
Meanwhile, on the professional boxing circuit, Mason “The Line” Dixon reigns as the undefeated yet unpopular heavyweight world champion, often ridiculed for having never fought a true contender. This leads to tension with the public and his promoters, and encourages him to return to his roots: the small gym he first trained in, as well as his old trainer who sagely tells him that, inevitably, he will earn back his respect through a true opponent that will test him.ESPNlater broadcasts a computer simulation of a fight between Rocky (in his prime) and Mason—likened to a modern-day version ofThe Super Fight—that ends in a disputed KO victory for Balboa, further riling the champ. In contrast, the simulation inspires Rocky to take up boxing again; an intention that goes public when he successfully renews his boxing license. Dixon’s promoters thus pitch the idea of holding a charity exhibition bout at theMandalay Bay Resort and Casinoin Las Vegas to bolster Dixon’s floundering popularity.
With some hesitation, both men agree to the match, creating a media buzz that stabs at Rocky’s age and Dixon’s credibility. Robert later makes an effort to discourage Rocky from fighting, blaming his own personal failings on his father’s celebrity shadow, but Rocky rebukes him with some profound, inspiring advice about how blaming others won’t help him succeed in life.
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