Rocky Balboa parents guide

Rocky Balboa Parent Guide

Overall B+

After a lengthy absence from the ring, Sylvester Stallone steps back into the character of Rocky Balboa, as an actor, scriptwriter and director. This time the aging boxer attempts to take a swing at midlife challenges, a stand for self-respect and a knockout blow to self-pity. This is no small feat --but the comeback match and the movie champions them all.

Release date December 21, 2006

Violence B-
Sexual Content A
Profanity C-
Substance Use B

Why is Rocky Balboa rated PG? The MPAA rated Rocky Balboa PG

Parent Movie Review

The MPAA has rated Rocky Balboa PG for boxing violence and some language.

Thirty years ago, the character Rocky Balboa, a Philadelphia debt collector and underrated boxer, climbed into the ring for the first time and the movie went on to win Oscar approval. In the following years, the Rocky franchise found the boxer fighting his way through four more opponents. While not all those matches met with the same financial success or critical acclaim as the first film, Rocky proved himself to be a tenacious pugilist.

However making a comeback isn’t an easy feat—-either for an aging athlete in a grueling sport or an actor with a past film franchise. But setting aside the implausibility of a mature fighter taking on a much younger, quicker challenger, there’s still plenty to love about Rocky Balboa.

When so many sports personalities strut their over-inflated egos or trash talk their opponents, Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) is a man who defends a woman’s honor without expecting some kind of payment, who doesn’t hold grudges against former rivals, who looks out for underdogs, single moms and kids on the street and who rescues a mutt from the pound.

As the owner of a little eatery named Adrian’s, in honor of his deceased wife, Rocky now entertains diners with stories from his glory days and poses for pictures. But even his celebrated past isn’t enough to lure his son Rocky Jr. (Milo Ventimiglia) down to the restaurant. Blaming his father’s legend for his own lack of success, the young adult stays as far away from the old Philadelphia neighborhood as he can.

However, when sportscasters create a virtual match between fighters from different eras, Rocky and the current heavyweight champion Mason ‘The Line’ Dixon (Antonio Tarver) are pitted in the ring. The media hype surrounding the video-game-like event eventually inspires the older Rocky to return to the gym. His application for a boxing license is finally enough to bring his estranged son to the neighborhood in hopes of dissuading his father.

Now in case viewers think Rocky Balboa is only about a midlife crisis or motivation for middle-aged competitors, this film is roped with wise advice about self-respect, compassion and true friendship for all ages. (If you doubt Rocky’s cultural influence, don’t miss the ending credits.) Among other things, this father challenges his son to stop wallowing in self-pity and demonstrates the importance of getting up again no matter how many times life knocks you down.

As the movie’s writer and director, Sylvester Stallone deserves credit for giving families with teens an uplifting screenplay, without the typical sexual content, alcoholic binges or overly graphic violence. With only limited language concerns and portrayals of sport injuries, the film may inspire a whole new generation of fans—- at least it has at my house.

Starring Sylvester Stallone. Theatrical release December 21, 2006. Updated

Rocky Balboa
Rating & Content Info

Why is Rocky Balboa rated PG? Rocky Balboa is rated PG by the MPAA

Life doesn’t end after 50, but some things get harder. After deciding to re-enter the ring, Rocky takes on all kinds of tough physical challenges. Mean-spirited broadcasters and a group of young adults mock and jeer the former boxer. Secondary characters are shown drinking and smoking. Depictions of bloody sports injuries and some infrequent profanities are included.

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Rocky Balboa Parents' Guide

Mason Dixon has a management team that looks for ways to improve his image and bring in more fights. How do those promoters compare with the long-time friends that support Rocky in his comeback?

One boxing coach says an athlete needs to be tested and challenged in order to know what they are made of. How does that apply to all people? What can a person learn about him or herself when faced with opposition? What challenges does Rocky overcome?

What are some of the difficulties inherent with aging? What are some of the benefits? Why does Rocky no longer care about what others think of him?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Rocky Balboa movie is March 19, 2007. Here are some details…

Rocky Balboa becomes a home entertainment contender with this DVD release, which offers an audio commentary with Sylvester Stallone, deleted scenes (including an alternate ending), and boxing bloopers. You can also get a ringside look at the production with the featurettes, Skill vs. Will (the Making of Rocky Balboa), Reality in the Ring (filming Rocky’s final fight) and Virtual Champion (creating the computer fight).

Home Video Notes: Rocky: The Undisputed Edition

Release Date: 3 November 2009

The complete Rocky anthology is now available on Blu-ray. Along with the six movies in the series, the 7-disc box set includes bonus materials. Click here for a closer look at the product details for Rocky: The Undisputed Edition

Related home video titles:

Sylvester Stallone wrote the script for the original Rocky in three days after watching a fight between Muhammad Ali and an unknown opponent. Cinderella Man is based on the life of real life depression-era fighter James J. Braddock.