I Strongly Recommend This Movie.

Rating: 9/10 (27 December 2015)

Philadelphia's culture was depicted perfectly. Being a former recent Philadelphian, I had clear identification with the scenes and language. I only lived in Philadelphia for a year, but the town is very small, so it is easy to see the places that were filmed. There were streets in The Badlands that I drove down often, The Library Area that I passed every morning on my way to my shop. Those trail bikes used to freak me out. As a matter of fact, I know those bikes weren't just stunt bikes because that silver quad that was behind the main character while passing Amber Street is always racing through the Badlands. For some strange reason the movie made me proud to have been a part of Philadelphia's culture.
The movie brought back so many memories; the bar/club on Spring Street was one that I used to visit regularly. And how could they not include Maxx, the Philly cheese steak place on Erie and Germantown Avenue. I remember asking a friend. "What the hell is a Jawn?" The same as the main character asked. Its Philadelphian slang. Only a Philadelphian could have made this movie to depict so much of the city's culture precisely.
Stallone looked a mess as I expected. I felt sorry for the old guy as he slowly walked up the library steps, the same steps he used to run up when he was in the film, Rocky. The scenes that were supposed to be tear jerkers didn't come close to jerking tears. I felt Stallone's situation could have been a little more emotionally moving. I noticed several abrupt time-line jumps. I felt there should have been a smoother transition for the main characters change from boy to man. For those reasons I must hold back one star.
The characters in the movie played their parts well. It's not your typical Rocky movie. I do see where the ending sets the movie up for part 2, I am looking forward to it. I strongly recommend you see this movie.
Books written by Erik Smalls:
Never Give Up, Eye For an Eye, Cold Blooded