Rocky Balboa 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 85
from 4 reviewers
Review Date:
Rocky Balboa in 4K Ultra HD delivers a notable Dolby Vision HDR upgrade and a compelling Director’s Cut, though the new transfer has mixed results and recycled extras.
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Disc Release Date
2K Upscale
HDR10
Dolby Vision
DTS-HD MA
Video: 80
Rocky Balboa's 4K UHD Blu-ray provides a mixed experience; despite promising Dolby Vision HDR support and some gains in mid-range black levels and color vibrancy, the presentation suffers from heavy digital noise reduction and an uneven bitrate, yielding an underwhelming 2160p/HDR10 transfer that barely surpasses the Blu-ray.
Audio: 87
The DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix, consistent with the 2007 Blu-ray, delivers clear dialogue, vibrant soundscapes, and impactful bass during the boxing scenes, though a Dolby Atmos remix would have added another layer of immersion.
Extra: 80
Rocky Balboa's 4K UHD Blu-ray boasts a powerful DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track with clear dialogue and impactful score, alongside archival extras such as Sylvester Stallone's commentary, two deleted scenes, and several featurettes, all enhanced by detailed Steelbook packaging and comprehensive presentation.
Movie: 90
Stallone’s ‘Rocky Balboa’ on 4K UHD receives high praise for expertly blending heartfelt storytelling and genuine emotion with technical prowess. The modestly-budgeted film serves as a triumphant comeback, restoring the iconic character's legacy. The new Director's Cut adds depth but slightly impacts pacing. Overall, both cuts present a touching and authentic continuation of the series.
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Video: 80
The 4K UHD presentation of "Rocky Balboa" exhibits a nuanced mixture of strengths and shortcomings, largely influenced by its source material. Unfortunately, while the transfer retains some of the film's inherent charm, it displays notable deficiencies. The video encoded at 2160p/HDR10, consistently ranges between 30-40 Mbps, occasionally even lower—barely surpassing Blu-ray bitrates. Despite the utilization of HEVC encoding, substantial digital noise reduction (DNR) has smoothed away much of the original 35mm grain. This approach, aimed to blend with digitally-shot sequences like the climactic fight, results in a less authentic and uneven visual fidelity.
Warner's implementation of a Dolby Vision (DV) pass introduces some redeeming qualities. The HDR grade enhances black levels and brightens lights naturally without overexposing them. While cinematography favors a softer, foggier aesthetic, DV strengthens color saturation and density, yielding vivid primaries and warm flesh tones. However, the inherent 2K upscale hampers potential fine detail and texture fidelity that a true 4K source could unleash. Particularly, new footage incorporated into the Director's Cut, although cleaner than its Blu-ray counterpart, still appears somewhat rough around the edges.
The movie spans both its theatrical and Director's cuts on separate files within a single BD-100 disc. This choice impacts overall bitrate allocation, resulting in variability that compromises visual stability in darker scenes and digital video moments. A separation onto individual discs (BD-66) could have alleviated pressure on bitrates, enhancing the clarity and consistency in 2160p. Ultimately, while the new 4K UHD release improves specific visual aspects and preserves Stallone's stylized photographic intent, its execution leaves room for a more refined and satisfying transformation. The blend of aesthetic upgrades and technical limitations renders an uneven yet watchable enhancement over previous formats.
Audio: 87
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Rocky Balboa" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, notably consistent across both its Theatrical and Director's Cuts. This audio track, while not exceedingly different from the lossless LPCM 5.1 track on the prior Blu-ray release, impresses in key segments. The mix remains largely subdued until the climactic final stretch, where it transitions to a powerful, immersive experience. Commentary around Philadelphia incorporates elevated trains, traffic, and sirens that effectively fill the soundstage. Once inside the stadium during pivotal fight sequences, fireworks, crowd noise, and punches are rendered with impressive clarity and depth.
The audio presentation benefits from solid dialogue clarity, ensuring Sylvester Stallone's legendary speeches and Bill Conti's iconic score are delivered with emotive precision. The mix remarkably captures the ambient soundscape in crowded scenes at bars and restaurants. Engaging moments—such as training montages and the intense final fight—are particularly enhanced by this audio mix. Although the DTS-HD MA 5.1 is not a significant upgrade over previous formats, it remains a robust and compelling auditory experience. Enhanced dialogue, meticulous background details, and rich, full-bodied bass during fight sequences combine to create a vibrant listening experience that holds true to the spirit of the film.
While the omission of a Dolby Atmos remix may be disappointing to some audiophiles, the DTS-HD 5.1 track ensures both versions of the movie have a seamless, quality sound. Optional subtitles in English (SDH) support accessibility without sacrificing audio integrity. This release clearly showcases the attention to detail that enhances the overall viewing experience for both new listeners and longtime fans of the "Rocky" saga.
Extra: 80
The "Rocky Balboa" 4K UHD Blu-ray offers a robust set of extras that enrich the viewing experience. This release includes both the theatrical and director’s cuts, adding value for fans and collectors alike. The included bonus content, mostly archival but still relevant, grants deeper insights into the making of this iconic film. Highlights include a solo audio commentary by Sylvester Stallone and a range of featurettes, offering everything from behind-the-scenes looks at fight choreography to the technical aspects of creating virtual fights. Although some deleted scenes are no longer separate extras due to their inclusion in the Director's Cut, the remaining material still provides substantial context and background.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary: Featuring writer/director Sylvester Stallone.
- Deleted Scenes: Includes the alternate ending and Paulie's girlfriend moving his things.
- Skill vs. Will: The Making of Rocky Balboa: Insightful featurette on the movie's production.
- Reality in the Ring: Filming Rocky's Final Fight: Details about the climactic battle.
- Virtual Champion: Creating the Computer Fight: Explores the creation of the virtual fight scene.
- Fight Makeup: Brief overview of makeup used for the final fight.
Movie: 90
In "Rocky Balboa," Sylvester Stallone returns to right the perceived wrongs of "Rocky V" and successfully revives the beloved character in a mature, heartfelt narrative. Drawing inspiration from the real-life 1994 Foreman vs. Moorer fight, Stallone navigates Rocky through a belated return to the ring, poignantly portrayed against the backdrop of personal loss and community connection. The film blends the soulful melancholy of Rocky mourning his wife with the gritty determination of a comeback, leveraging Stallone’s own bitter career experiences to deepen the narrative. This results in a story resonant with authenticity, enhanced by the nuanced relationships between Rocky, his estranged son, and familiar characters like Paulie. Despite limited budget constraints, Stallone delivers a film that resonates as both an emotional send-off and a credible boxing tale.
The 4K UHD release of "Rocky Balboa" includes both the well-received theatrical version and a new Director's Cut, adding about 14 minutes of additional scenes that enrich character development. While the original cut effectively concluded Rocky's saga, this extended version offers a deeper dive into Rocky's grief and personal interactions, although it sometimes disrupts the film's pacing. Notably, an extended breakdown scene featuring Paulie adds emotional depth and context to his character. These subtle enhancements create a more comprehensive portrayal without drastically altering the film’s essence. The fight sequences remain some of the most authentic in the franchise, particularly due to reportedly real landed punches, adding a layer of verisimilitude to Rocky's final bout.
Stallone’s performance in "Rocky Balboa" is arguably his finest in the franchise, embodying an older, wiser Rocky who confronts past regrets while carving a place for himself in his community. His genuineness shines through in his interactions, where his life experience serves to uplift others rather than just dominate in the ring. This final chapter is a fitting tribute that caps off Rocky's journey with grace and emotional resonance, ensuring it stands as one of the pivotal sequels in the canon, enhanced further by its meticulous 4K restoration and thoughtful new cut.
Total: 85
"Rocky Balboa" on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray represents a noteworthy re-entry for the iconic franchise, masterfully blending nostalgia with a modern twist. Sylvester Stallone's stellar return as both actor and director proves that age and career downturns have matured his storytelling and performance, imbuing this installment with considerable depth. Warner Bros.' release includes a new Director's Cut, offering a unique perspective but not necessarily an all-around improvement over the original. The film's core strengths—its emotional resonance and thematic closure for the beloved character—remain intact, elevating it to one of the franchise's best sequels.
Technically, the 4K transfer presents mixed results. Filmed on multiple formats, its visual upgrade is uneven, but the Dolby Vision HDR stands out as a significant enhancement. The DTS audio track delivers robust sound, reinforcing the impactful experience. Additionally, Warner Bros. has ported all previously available stellar extra features onto the 4K disc, enriching this release further. Although some components, such as the visuals, may not fully leverage the 4K format, the integrity and appeal of the comprehensive package are nonetheless compelling.
In conclusion, while "Rocky Balboa" on 4K UHD Blu-ray is not without its technical limitations, it remains a commendable addition to any collection, particularly for fans of the series. Its narrative strength and the inclusion of a Director's Cut make it a standout release. The Steelbook packaging and archival extras enhance its value, making it a worthwhile acquisition for both dedicated enthusiasts and curious newcomers seeking to complete their Rocky saga in high definition.
avforums review by Casimir HarlowRead review here
Video: 80
That said, 116 minutes suddenly feels a lot longer for a film which doesn't punch into overdrive until its final act; a film which is refreshingly character-driven, sure, but which also felt leaner and...
Audio: 80
Getting the Director's Cut in 4K, given the same impressive treatment as the Theatrical Cut, is certainly a nice touch, even if 1080p-only viewers may find it frustrating that 4K is the only way you can...
Extras: 80
There's some great LFE to be found here (even early on, in the newly added sparring sequence, the impacts draw significant bass input) and, alongside the real crowd in the background (who were really cheering...
Movie: 80
As with previous stories, he would infuse a great deal of his own bitter experience into the characters he forged (not just Rocky's own ageing comeback plight, but actually even the youthful arrogance...
Total: 80
a superb comeback Warner's 4K release affords a decent enough upgrade, once it gets going, along with a very good audio track and all the old, excellent, extra features ported onto the 4K disc itself,...
Blu-ray.com review by Randy Miller IIIRead review here
Video: 60
What's more likely, however, is that this simply isn't a demanding image for one unfortunate reason: large portions of the grain present on Sony's 2007 Blu-ray have been smoothed away via copious amounts...
Audio: 80
The default DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix sounds virtually identical to the similarly lossless LPCM 5.1 track found on Sony's 2007 Blu-ray, which unsurprisingly is still a largely subdued affair until the...
Extras: 60
The back cover features the more familiar triumphant pose used for poster images and earlier home video releases (albeit again in black and white), while inside we get a full-color still of Rocky and Mason...
Movie: 80
You'll notice I don't say "better" because, with maybe two or three exceptions, the re-insertion of about half a dozen deleted or extended scenes -- all originally included on Sony's Blu-ray in rough format,...
Total: 70
Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa was the long-awaited comeback many fans hoped for after the disappointment of Rocky V in 1990, offering a solid amount of closure for the beloved franchise until its later...
DoBlu review by Matt PaprockiRead review here
Video: 60
Cinematography favors a softer, foggier look, which is fine, but one a true 4K source could make sing....
Audio: 80
Bass doesn’t factor in until the boxing comes into play, with the punches hitting and catching the subwoofer with force....
Extras: 60
Two deleted scenes (one of them an alternate ending) are followed by four featurettes carried over from the original disc release....
Movie: 100
This is where Rocky needed to be, not in a mansion or an easy life, but a crowded Philadelphia existence, among his peers, fans, and Paulie (Burt Young).As with every great film in this series, it’s not...
Total: 75
The best of the sequels, Rocky Balboa takes an absurd circumstance and turns into a wonderful, thoughtful rumination on life....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 60
Those blown-out whites are still there but now there’s a little more dimensionality to the image giving scenes like the first time we see Milo Ventimiglia’s Rocky Jr. some more depth....
Audio: 80
I flipped my receiver into DTS Neural:X and felt that for those big crowded scenes at bars, restaurants, and at the fight, the element spacing opened up nicely and gave those heavy punches extra heft....
Extras: 60
The big difference over the previous disc’s extras is that since most of the deleted scenes are now in the actual Director’s Cut, there are only two cut pieces left, Paulie’s girlfriend and the alternate...
Movie: 100
But the best change, the one that really pulled the heartstrings is a scene extension after Paulie gets fired....
Total: 80
The Dolby Vision grade is the real transfer highlight while the DTS Audio lands its jabs and we see the return of some archival extras....
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Actors: Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Tarver, Milo Ventimiglia
PlotYears after retiring from his successful boxing career, the once-great champion now runs a modest Italian restaurant in Philadelphia, named after his late wife. Living in the past, he nostalgically recounts his glory days to the patrons, struggling with the death of his beloved spouse and estranged relationship with his son, who feels perpetually overshadowed by his father's legacy. The former fighter faces the challenge of finding purpose and direction in this new chapter of his life, grappling with the ghosts of his past and the reality of aging.
In an unexpected turn, a computer simulation sparks public interest by predicting that he would win against the current heavyweight champion in his prime. This reignites the fighter's passion for the ring and becomes the catalyst for an improbable comeback. Despite skepticism from his family and the public, he embarks on a rigorous training regimen, seeking to prove not only to the world but to himself that he still has what it takes. This journey back to the boxing world is as much about personal redemption and confronting his inner demons as it is about reclaiming the spotlight.
Writers: Sylvester Stallone
Release Date: 20 Dec 2006
Runtime: 102 min
Rating: PG
Country: United States
Language: English, Spanish