RELIGIOUS ROCKY

I really enjoyed the sixth film in Sylvester Stallone's Rocky franchise. Sure, parts of Rocky Balboa are cheesy and predictable, but you still come away rooting for the Italian Stallion. And I grew up on Rocky films and have enjoyed each one of them. And the sixth, and presumably last, in the series is better than you would expect, better than Rocky IV or Rocky V were. One thing that caught me pleasantly by surpris: the use of religion to add to the inspirational tone of the film. In one montage scene, Rocky does the sign of the cross. A featured character in the movie, Rocky's old boxing nemesis, Spider Rico, quotes Scripture in the film and is portrayed as wanting to please Jesus with his life. And the evolving love story between Rocky and Marie is very simple and chaste. The film makes it clear the unmarried couple share nothing beyond a kiss. I don't remember these distinctly Christian elements in the earlier Rocky films. But they helped make this one even more memorable for me. It's a fun flick and I highly recommend it.