By J.R. “Jim” Zurak
Neither Rocky Balboa or Jake LaMotta would have approved of what their earlier in lives actor portrayers have become in the 30+ years since they were originally brought to the movie screen. Robert DeNiro and Sly Stallone portray two aging boxers who have been brought together to fight the deciding best of three “grudge match” they did not have 30 years ago. Were this movie viewed only through the eyes of a generation hoping that they might actually achieve the physical strength and prowess these obviously senior citizens are attempting to put forth as reality, credibility might not be strained to the breaking point. Unfortunately, an obviously out of any shape Bob DeNiro skipping rope and doing chin ups like a 20 year old is a tough sell and Stallone’s one punch knock out of a leviathan (really big) like cage fighter brings an ‘OMG are you kidding me’ atmosphere to the movie. Rating: “S” = Schmaltzy is a geriatric term to describe Sly Stallone’s attempt at extending Rocky Balboa’s screen career a generation to far.
Villager J.R. “Jim” Zurak reviews movies for Villages-News.com