Rocky Balboa on DVD

I picked it up and watched the film again, but haven't checked out the special features yet. What's the alternate ending? I think going out on Adrian's grave, echoing the final line of Rocky II, is pretty much perfection.

Picking this up was a given. I'm proud to say I only own two ROCKY flicks on DVD--the original and this one.

Original, this one, and part 4 for me. Picked it up. Probably won't get to it for a few days. Looking forward to the commentary.

An amazing commentary track.

I definitely want to check out the commentary. Any good deleted scenes?

I've made a vow to cut down on DVD purchases in favor of Netflix and XBox Live downloads. This is still a foregone conclusion as a purpose, though. One of my favorite films of last year.

SPOILER

And I'm glad he went with the ending we saw. His triumph didn't need to be sweetened up by actually winning the fight.

The commentary is great. Towards the end he almost chokes up, which in turn made me get all teary again.

A great little piece of info - he mentions that the final shot from behind him on top of the museum steps overlooking Philly was filmed without his knowledge. He was actually just standing there, realizing that would be the last time he would ever stand in that same place, wearing those same clothes again.

I just love this movie. I dug all the Deleted Scenes, and wished there were more. The alternate ending, I'm glad was included (mainly for Dixon's reply re: what he learned from the fight), but I'm also (REALLY) glad they went w/ the one that made the final cut.

I want to get this...badly...but I want to wait for the inevitable boxed set that has all 6 (even thought it means getting Rocky V)

I'm definately looking forward to Stallone's commentary track. The man was a blast to listen to on the new "First Blood" disc.

Does anyone here have the "Director's Cut" DVD of COP LAND? After hearing the Stallone commentary on FIRST BLOOD and the good buzz the BALBOA commentary is getting I'm wondering how his COP LAND commentary with James Mangold and Robert Patrick is.

I didn't see this in theayters and quickly rented the DVD. I really liked it. I think its interesting that he filmed the ending both ways. I wonder if that was a diversion a la ESB or just because he honestly contemplated both endings. I like the theatrical ending better.

I think its great in that, like the first film, he goes into this without a prayer, not expecting to win, but he has enough heart to give it his all anyway. I think a split decision for Dixon makes sense, especially with the earlier scene with his trianer talking about the crowds only respect you once you've been tested and pushed to the limit.

There will never be a box set containing all six films. Don't wait for it.

Yeah, this came up in another thread. Apparently, the films don't all belong to the same studio, so no box set.

"Does anyone here have the "Director's Cut" DVD of COP LAND? After hearing the Stallone commentary on FIRST BLOOD and the good buzz the BALBOA commentary is getting I'm wondering how his COP LAND commentary with James Mangold and Robert Patrick is."

Molt - I have the Copland directors cut. It's worth picking up. They talk about getting it made, Stallone wanting a change in direction, his weight gain and the various performances of the actors. A bit "you are so wonderful" sometimes but not so much that it puts you off. Stallone is very engaging - you can tell he loves the movie and loved making it. Patrick doesn't say as much as Stallone or the director but makes some good points. How is the first blood commentary ?

Good to know. If I see that COP LAND disc cheap I'll have to double dip for that one.

The FIRST BLOOD commentary is terrific. He tells a lot of great stories and doesn't pull any punches. I only wish he had recorded one for the RAMBO "Ultimate Edition" that was released at the same time.

Well then....that kills my excuse...

Great film.

Sly should have gotten an acting nom.

There have been other multi-studio boxsets before, like the Stanley Kubrick Collection (MGM, Warners, Columbia.) There's obvious value in a ROCKY Saga boxset, especially with comprehensive extras and new transfers, so if MGM/Fox and Sony can strike a deal, they'll all benefit.

On the commentary, do they explain the rip in Rocky's temporal reality that allowed Mike Tyson to wander in from Earth 616?

Apparently, if you eat a boxer's child, or marry Robin Givens, you gain the ability to travel into a movie.

Of all the people that SHOULD have gotten nominated this year, Sly was at the bottom of a very long list.

Think of all the punches Rocky has taken to his noggin throughout his career as the equivalent of Superboy Prime's continuity punches. They retconned Rocky's brain damage and erased Tommy Gunn from existence. I think I even saw Jason Todd in the crowd.

I'd pay to see a Rocky:Infinite Crisis.

There's only one thing I wish Stallone would have changed...

Og all the things this movie does right, the very best is that is effectively banishes Rocky V from our collective consciousness. Yes, he's not rich, with sports cars and a robot, but he's obviously not hurting for money, he's a success, he lives a goof life. Far from the return to poverty that was V, and no mention of the dumb brain injury gimmick.

For the owner of a successful upscale restaurant he seems to live rather simply. I guess that's to show he's a man of the people.

You don't get Rocky, do you?

I've been watching the movie with the commentary, and Stallone's already mentioned a director's cut several times. Looks like this'll be a title that's gonna get a double dip sometime soon. It's Sony, so it's no surprise.

I'd have to watch it again, but I think 1 scene was with Paulie, and there was another that I can't remember. I like the film the way it is too, so I don't know why he'd want to change some of it.

He could change the whole bit with the surrogate son, only to be replaced by his real son in the third act.

He should have suspected that somebody had switched his son with some other kid when he aged several years during his fight with Drago.

What a suprisingly affecting film. The obvious parallel between Rocky and Stallone adds a bit of depth to it, and Stallone is just so damn likeable, I'm really rooting for him to have a hit or two in this later stage of his career. And you can tell he has genuine affection for the character, which only helps his performance.

Liked the parallel with the first film, how he didn't have to win to be a winner. And I'm glad it didn't end with him winning a belt or dying in the ring or something equally maudlin. Just him proving something to himself and walking away.

It really feels more like a companion piece to the first film, especially in how it feels leaner and more intimate than the more grandiose sequels. I could probably buy I through III and this one and be completely happy with my Rocky collection.

I went into this knowing it was going to be good but not this GOOD. Damn, what a great film. I've got to agree with Dickson... this is a very affecting film. It moves along at a quick page and you can't help but to love the guy.

I'm really glad they went with the ending that is in the film (the alternate ending is pretty bad, especially the editing) but I really wish they would have ended the film with that close up freeze of Rocky touching the unknown person's hand. That really got to me and would have been a perfect way to end it.

I don't know, I think I liked the graveyard ending, especially for the image of Rocky fading out in the background at the very end. Plus we saw him saying goodbye to one of the biggest parts of his life when he walked away from boxing, then we saw him saying goodbye to the other biggest part, Adrian.

Another thing I liked was the restraint with which they handled Rocky's relationship with Marie. I was glad to see it not become this instantly romantic thing, but more an awkward reintegration into life for both characters.

I liked the grave ending too, but the freeze frame was just so damn perfect. Story wise the grave ending works, but I wasn't as affected by it for some reason. I could easily go either way and it's only been a couple of days since I've seen the film, so my opinion could change.

Rocky's restraint was perfect. Marie's internal conflict with accepting his grace was a nice touch.

I'm with you, except I think "Rocky II" is horrid. This is a great movie though, and I completely agree about the parallels with the first film.

I think the graveyard scene works from a narrative/thematic point of view, but I agree, I would have preferred ending on the hand, from a moviemaking standpoint.

I agree on Rocky II. It's the definition of a pointless sequel.

As for the ending of Balboa, I feel strongly that he had to say goodbye to Adrian. The movie is about Rocky's inability to let go of the past, as represented not just by boxing, but by his dead wife. Coming to terms with both was essential to give the movie the closure it needed.

The handshake is a nice shot, but the series definitely had to end with Rocky and Adrian.

Rocky VII: Return of the Beast could still be a possibility, though. The folding chair is still in the tree!

Are you suggesting that Thunderlips is going to ambush Rocky at Adrian's grave in a future sequel? If so, then yes, the folding chair in the tree is a brilliant bit of foreshadowing on Stallone's part.

I'd have to say that the best purpose ROCKY II serves is that it became a bargaining chip used by Irwin Winkler to get RAGING BULL made.

I hear some talk about how all you need is the original and BALBOA and you're set for the series. But for my money the often absurd moments from III and IV help enhance BALBOA. I don't know if another franchise has ever strayed so far from it's original film only to circle around and end so closely to where it started. To an extent even part V serves a (shitty) purpose to bring the franchise to its lowest level and put Rocky in a position to a make a comeback that defies all odds.

You can't have Rocky without Clubber and Drago.

Yes, you really can.

I think he might have meant you can't have Rocky V without Clubber and Drago.

Interesting, I have never heard this story. What was the deal?

Watching them consecutively like I did a few months, the tonal shifts become pretty jarring. I think III and IV are enjoyable in a goofy way, but they are remarkably inferior to the original, and in a lot of ways, "Balboa" too. I agree with Greg, Clubber and Drago are fun, but nowhere near essential. That they exit at all is a pretty crazy indication of just how far the series strayed from its original tone and intent.

I think its interesting how, aside from alluding to his being a former champion, you could really go from "Rocky" to "Rocky Balboa" and not miss a beat.

Amphibatron, you're on a minor roll in this thread. Paulie's painting almost made me spray coffee across my computer monitor.

As for the movie itself, I can only echo the sentiments already posted. While I will always love the Clubber Lang (one of the first movies I ever saw in a theater) and Ivan Drago bouts, "Balboa" was the true follow-up to "Rocky". I was absolutely shocked at how affecting this movie was. I also found it interesting that Stallone was unafraid to depict the scumminess of Philadelphia, a city that he (and I) have great affection for.

And, while I agree that Stallone chose the proper ending for the film, he should have found someway to include the Larry Merchant-Mason Dixon interview that was in the alternate ending... even if it was only over the end credits (actually, that would probably be for the best because the film's actual ending was pretty perfect, in my opinion).

I also liked that "Balboa" wasn't afraid to comment on the current state of boxing which is, for fans of the sport, unbelievably depressing, especially when one considers the heavyweight division(s).

Yeah, even the brief clips they show of Lang and Drago could just be clips from random fights.