I did not expect to like “Rocky Balboa” and I wasn’t particularly interested in seeing a movie the day that I went to watch this film. As I sat in the theater and waited for the film to start, I grew very impatient, thinking that a movie about an over the hill boxer taking on a modern day champion and being competitive was too improbable to believe and that the movie would never be able to get past that crazy scenario. Once the movie started though and once the familiar and still majestic fanfare was played, I was hooked.

The film reintroduces the audience to one of the most beloved characters in cinema history (argue it if you must) with a blend of humor and drama. “Rocky Balboa” is a heartfelt and emotionally stirring film and it is the perfect way for the series to end.

Rocky is now a middle-aged former fighter. He is a widow of two years and he is the owner of a small Italian restaurant in Philadelphia named for his late wife. He seems stuck in his grief and restless, remarking to his brother-in-law Paulie, played expertly by Burt Young, that he feels he has something “left in the basement.” Rocky wants to fight again and though he is thinking of something small and local, a video simulation of a fight between Rocky and the current champ, Mason Dixon, leads to Rocky going back into the ring as an underdog.

Stallone does find a way to get around this plot point without making it sound too far-fetched. Also, it is because of the audience’s history with the character of Rocky that it becomes fairly easy to believe. Rocky has always been fighting against the odds and though he is clearly overmatched in this fight because of his age, you know he will give it his all.

It is this message of giving 100 percent of yourself for something you believe in and other similar messages of courage and self-respect that vault this film into one of the better “Rocky” films. In fact, it may only be second to the original. From the opening scene until the final shot of the film, Stallone makes sure that the audience is behind Rocky. He is a genuine, tender hearted guy. He helps out an old friend and her son, cares about his old neighborhood, wants the best for his family and just wants to go out on his terms. Stallone’s performance shows that he still is able to slip into the old familiar role and also act the heck out of a script that would feel heavy handed and awkward with less talented people involved.

The star of any “Rocky” film is the fight itself and this one is terrific. It is a back and forth battle that gives Balboa and Dixon what each of them is looking to gain from this match. One great thing that the fight had going for it was that the audience can’t ever be sure exactly how it will end and I won’t spoil it here.

“Rocky Balboa” isn’t fine art, but it is great cinema. It will take you on a ride, if you let it, and is sure to entertain you.

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