From the Hype's front page:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=16166
NY Rocky Fans Knocked Out by New Trailer
Source: Jonathan Baylis August 23, 2006
I don't know what came first. My fascination with Muhammad Ali and the sport of boxing? Or my crazed fandom of the "Rocky" movies. Though Schwarzenegger may have won the box office war back in the day, my heart has always held a place for Sly Stallone and his #1 character, the Italian Stallion. So it is with great anticipation that I await "Rocky VI," even if it means we're one step closer to that throwaway gag poster of "Rocky XXXVIII" from Airplane II.
For the original Rocky, Stallone drew inspiration from a boxer named Chuck Wepner, an unknown that was given the chance to fight Ali. And it is perhaps from George Foreman's well that he drinks from this round for the story of "Rocky VI," or rather, Rocky Balboa, the story of a once great heavyweight making a comeback at an age not thought possible.
I watched the trailer for Rocky Balboa before an outdoor screening of the original Rocky on a lovely night in Manhattan at the Bryant Park Film Festival. The first chords of Bill Conti's famous theme brought out loud cheers from the big crowd. "I love Rocky, man!" shouted Chris, 38. The story plays on the age-old fantasy of what would happen if two boxers in their prime, but of different generations, fought in the ring. Like, "Who would win in a rumble between Joe Louis and Mike Tyson?" In this case, it is the fictional Rocky Balboa (Stallone) vs. Mason "The Line" Dixon (real life boxer Antonio Tarver). But what if Rocky came out of retirement to actually make this happen? Could he pull it off?
I spoke with a few people on surrounding blankets at the outdoor festival. "I can't believe Rocky is going to fight again. I want to see it" said Kim, 28. Stallone, 60, who has clearly kept up his workout routine, brought out the believer in some fans. "Stallone looks in great shape!" continued Chris. My philosophical boxing buddy John, 34, chimed in, "I think that the trailer looks great! The series is a great look at American filmmaking throughout the decades. I'll be first in line!"
I might be in line with him, if to only fantasize about there being an American Heavyweight Champ (all current belts are held by former Soviets (and no, none of them are named Drago)). The original Rocky is one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. Rocky Balboa looks like the return of that underdog, and I for one will buy ringside seats.
-------------------------------
All positive reactions.
