In defense of Sylvester Stallone

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November movies
The “Twilight” sequel, “New Moon” hits the big screen, along with George Clooney in “The Men Who Stare at Goats” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and the apocalyptic “2012” and “The Road.”

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Learning from Rocky
If only the rest of his career choices had been so good. He’s spent the past 30 years trying to match this achievement and hasn’t come close, which torments him. Here is what he said recently to Premiere magazine:

“I know I’ll be remembered as this left-handed boxer. It doesn’t even matter if ‘Rocky Balboa’ is a hit or a flop. [Either way] it won’t do my career much good. People always say that’s all I can do. So I’ll retire. It’s almost a relief, ya know. To retire. Rocky was f—in’ killing me.”

Rocky was f—in killing him? Rocky f—in absolves him. I’m sure he realizes this but isn’t comfortable with it. He should be comfortable with it. Yet that would require the type of self-awareness he gave his character: the ability to recognize his limitations. Which hasn’t been one of Stallone’s strengths. He took a shot at comedy in “Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot!,” a futuristic thriller in “Judge Dredd,” a country-western musical for god’s sake in “Rhinestone.” Dude.

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Regardless, he should feel proud. Sure, he’s responsible for some of the most painful viewing since “Triumph of the Will.” But he wrote and starred in “Rocky.” If he wants to keep bringing the southpaw back that’s fine with me. He’s already shown he’s not just another bum from the neighborhood.

And that’s worth jumping up and down for.

Adam Wahlberg recently ran up the steps of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and it just wasn’t the same. He’s the executive editor of Minnesota Law & Politics (“Only Our Name Is Boring”) He can reached at .

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