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Disclaimer: we sent our biggest Rocky fan to a sneak preview of “Rocky Balboa.” The following is his biased review of the latest installment in the franchise.

When we last left the Rocky movies, the series was in shambles. Rocky was bankrupt and brain damaged. The climactic streetfight was against some guy named Tommy Gunn, while his son shouted “Get him dad! HE TOOK MY ROOM!”

After that debacle, and coupled with a falling career, Sylvester Stallone couldn’t pay people to make a new Rocky movie. And then a few years ago, a regime change occurred at MGM, and he was able to give Rocky the send-off the fictitious boxer so deserved.

In “Rocky Balboa,” Rocky is going through the motions. Adrian is dead, he embarrasses his son, and he spends most of his time at her grave and the ice skating rink where they had their first date. He owns a restaurant, and spends his nights there telling the same old stories about fighting Creed. His only companion is Paulie, who hasn’t changed.

But then two things happen that awaken Rocky’s spirit. He runs into Marie, who famously told him to “drop dead creepo,” in the first film. Marie, who is also stuck in the doldrums, becomes a companion to Rocky, and Rocky becomes a friend to her younger son.

Rocky’s name also gets back in the media as a result of a simulated fight on ESPN that shows that Rocky Balboa, in his prime, would knock out the current heavyweight champion, Mason “The Line” Dixon. With the heavyweight division in shambles, and no one for Dixon to fight, his handlers propose a friendly exhibition match with Rocky. Of course, this is a Rocky movie, so it awakens the eye of the tiger and you know you’re moments away from a training montage.

“Rocky Balboa” is in many ways a companion to the first one. The events of the four are rarely mentioned. Just like the first movie, this is all about Rocky getting a chance to lift his life out of the despair it’s in. It’s not about beating Dixon; it’s about proving to himself that he can still go.

Part of the fun movie is Rocky hanging out in the old neighbourhood. Stallone gets excellent shots of Philly and all the characters that inhibit it. There’s also a lot of funny references to the first movie, including an appearance by Spider Rico. And it’s great seeing Duke back to train Rocky again.

The Rocky-Marie relationship is the strength of the movie. A lesser movie would’ve had them become a couple, but Rocky is still loyal to Adrian. Instead they help inspire each other to start living again.

The final fight is filmed like you’re watching it on Pay Per View, giving it a “you are there” look. Stallone works hard to make the boxing a bit more realistic, unlike “Rocky IV” where Drago drilled him in the head 200 times. Coupled with Bill Conti’s expert score and the crowd going crazy, it’s hard not to stand up and start chanting “Rocky.”

The movie is not without its flaws, not counting the ludicrous plot. The movie is only 100 minutes long, and is filled with subplots that don’t go anywhere. They try to give Mason Dixon his own story, yet most of it seems to have been left on the cutting room floor. Rocky also befriends Marie’s son Steps, but it’s another unfulfilled subplot. Once Rocky decides to fight again, the movie goes by too quickly. Duke is reintroduced without explanation. I would’ve liked to have had a scene where him and Rocky officially reunite. And like in “Rocky V,” the scenes with Rocky and his son feel padded.

But ignore the flaws, because the most important question is: Does Stallone give Rocky the send-off he deserves? And the answer is a resounding yes. When the movie ends, there is a sense of closure. When “Rocky Balboa” ends, there’s a sense of sadness knowing that one of the greatest stories of our time is finally over.

I applaud Stallone for being man enough to admit that “Rocky V” sucked, and going back to the drawing board to give fans the proper ending and closure that they’ve needed for sixteen years.

And for all you people snickering about another Rocky: I defy you to not get chills when “Gonna Fly High Now” hits. Because if you don’t, you have no soul.

An open audition for Rocky VI, the fifth Rocky Balboa film, attracted hundreds of hopefuls in Philadelphia on Saturday.

The film, which is currently in production in Las Vegas under the eye of star Sylvester Stallone, will move to the City of Brotherly Love next year. Producers have set aside a role for an aspiring Philly actor to make the movie as authentic as possible.

Casting director Diane Heery says: “They want the character and personality of Philadelphia. We’re looking for the face to the story of Philadelphia. We’re looking for real people.”

Sylvester Stallone will don the boxing gloves once again in a sixth Rocky film.

The 59-year-old actor has confirmed plans to direct and act in the movie, which will begin production in December.

“There is a script but it has yet to get the green light,” said a spokesperson for Stallone’s agent.

Early reports have Rocky Balboa as a restaurant owner, grieving over the death of his wife. Balboa decides to return to the ring to fight off his loneliness. When a reigning heavyweight champion, Mason Dixon, hears of Balboa’s return, he offers him a big pay off if he’ll return to the ring for the fight of all fights.

Revolution Studios, who will co-produce and finance the film, released a statement saying the sixth Rocky movie will bring fans back to the days of the original.

“As a past champion, Rocky Balboa is once again a regular guy who has to find himself and deal with real life. This film brings Rocky’s story full circle,” said Studio founder Joe Roth.

Stallone will be 60 by the time the film is released.