History Film / RockyBalboa

The film [[SeriesFauxnale was intended to be the true ending to the franchise]], serving as a coda to the series -- it even ended with a tribute to the longtime fans of the series by showing them running up the famous "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Steps Rocky Steps]]" from [[Film/{{Rocky}} the first film]]. Eventually, a sequel/SpinOff film titled ''Film/{{Creed}}'' was released in 2015, focusing on Apollo Creed's son Adonis (played by Creator/MichaelBJordan) with Stallone reprising his role as Rocky. While Adonis' story has branched into a series of its own, Stallone has discussed making a [[https://variety.com/2019/film/features/sylvester-stallone-rocky-ownership-stake-1203275639/ seventh film in the main series]], and developments are still ongoing.

* WorthyOpponent: Mason Dixon, the current champ, is suffering from this; he's so talented at boxing that he made rising to the championship look easy, and his popularity is suffering because the public won't believe he's not being handfed easy fights when he steamrolls everybody dumb enough to climb into a ring with him. Rocky is a true challenge for him, which he relishes.

The film [[SeriesFauxnale was intended to be the true ending to the franchise]], serving as a coda to the series -- it even ended with a tribute to the longtime fans of the series by showing them running up the famous [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Steps "Rocky Steps"]]. Eventually, a sequel/[[SpinOff spin-off]] film titled ''Film/{{Creed}}'' was released in 2015, focusing on Apollo Creed's son Adonis (played by Creator/MichaelBJordan) with Stallone reprising his role as Rocky. While Adonis' story has branched into a series of its own, Stallone has discussed making a [[https://variety.com/2019/film/features/sylvester-stallone-rocky-ownership-stake-1203275639/ seventh film in the main series]], and developments are still ongoing.

''Rocky Balboa'' (2006), colloquially known as ''Rocky VI'', is the sixth installment in the ''Franchise/{{Rocky}}'' franchise that began with the UsefulNotes/AcademyAward-winning ''Film/{{Rocky}}'' thirty years earlier in 1976, written, directed by, and starring Creator/SylvesterStallone who reprises his role as the title character.

Meanwhile in the boxing world, the reigning World Heavyweight Champion, Mason "The Line" Dixon, celebrates [[TheAce an incredible professional career]] but is frustrated with his public image. A long record of fast and decisive victories has left fans, pundits, and even his closest managers [[InvincibleHero believing that his opponents were weak]], feeding into a derogatory perception that Mason is a mediocre champion who couldn't handle [[WorthyOpponent a truly powerful adversary]]. This tension comes to a boiling point when a television show uses a computer simulation to pit a virtual Mason against an in-his-prime Rocky Balboa, leading to Mason's defeat via knockout.

Rocky is inspired by the computer simulation to re-apply for his boxing license so he can tie up the last few loose ends in his life. Although Rocky had only intended to fight in small local events for fun and charity, he is quickly approached by Mason's managers who want to stage a ''real'' version of the computer simulation as a high-profile charity exhibition match. The film follows both Rocky and Mason as they prepare for the bout: Rocky using it to fulfill his dream of one last great match, and help restore his relationship with Robert; and Mason fighting to earn the respect he is owed from the world through a trial-by-fire from one of boxing's most respected champions.

The film [[SeriesFauxnale was intended to be the true ending to the franchise]], serving as a coda to the series -- it even ended with a tribute to the longtime fans of the series by showing them running up the famous steps themselves. Eventually, a sequel/[[SpinOff spin-off]] film titled ''Film/{{Creed}}'' was released in 2015, focusing on Apollo Creed's son Adonis (played by Creator/MichaelBJordan) with Stallone reprising his role as Rocky. While Adonis' story has branched into a series of its own, Stallone has discussed making a [[https://variety.com/2019/film/features/sylvester-stallone-rocky-ownership-stake-1203275639/ seventh film in the main series]], and developments are still ongoing.

* GoingHomeAgain: The film's plot is kickstarted because Mason, TheAntagonist, feels like this. He's the Heavy Weight Champion but can't find either respect or a worthy opponent in the ring, so he goes home to his old gym.

''Rocky Balboa'' (2006) is the sixth installment in the ''Franchise/{{Rocky}}'' franchise that began with the UsefulNotes/AcademyAward-winning ''Film/{{Rocky}}'' thirty years earlier in 1976, written, directed by, and starring Creator/SylvesterStallone who reprises his role as the title character.

-->'''Paulie:''' ''[sobbing]'' Why didn't I die instead of my sister? I miss my sister, Rocky, I miss her! She never hurt nobody, Rocky!\\

The film was intended to be the true ending to the franchise, serving as a coda to the series -- it even ended with a tribute to the longtime fans of the series by showing them running up the famous steps themselves. Eventually a sequel/SpinOff film called ''Film/{{Creed}}'', with Stallone reprising the Rocky character and focusing on the son of Apollo Creed (named Adonis), was released in November 2015. Stallone has discussed making a [[https://variety.com/2019/film/features/sylvester-stallone-rocky-ownership-stake-1203275639/ seventh film in the main series]], taking place after ''Film/CreedII'' but separate from the ''Creed'' saga.

--> '''Martin''': Listen to me: if there is any bone in your body he can break, ''he's gonna do it''. Give the man, ''a little respect.''

--> Duke: To beat this guy you need speed. You don't have it.....

* BrutalHonesty: Duke is pretty blunt with Rocky about his most obvious limitation:
--> Duke: Speed. You don't have it.....