Rocky and Sylvester Stallone Are at the Top Again

Sylvester Stallone's new movie, "Rocky Balboa," had some stiff competition over the holiday weekend, going up against Will Smith's "Pursuit of Happyness" and Matthew McConaughey's "We Are Marshall," but yet again, Rocky rose to the challenge. The movie opened on Wednesday with a $6.2 million in ticket sales, making it the number 1 spot for the day.

Access Hollywood movie expert Scott Mantz said that "Rocky's" comeback kid theme is leading it to the top. "Stylistically it's a return to form," Mantz said. "Stallone got back to basics with the character and why people loved this big guy in the first place. He's this charming, big-hearted, loving guy. That character is infectious. When he gets back in the ring you want to cheer."

And it's even better news for Sylvester Stallone. "When people heard Sylvester Stallone was doing a sixth "Rocky" at 60, everyone said, you're kidding me! It's going to be an embarrassment', but its gotten really good reviews. It's a good film," Mantz said. "[The box office success] reestablishes him. Don't count him out just yet. Just like Rocky, Stallone's still got some power in his punch."

Photo from Access Hollywood.

Flashback: Sylvester Stallone

That right there is a picture of Sylvester Stallone and one of his ex-wives, Brigitte Nielsen. Hard to believe that 15 years ago, they celebrated their wedding day. Time sure flies.

They've both moved on. Her to mostly obscurity, him to the sixth installment of his Rocky movie. He understands that people are skeptical about the movie coming out now that he's 60. "I understand, I do. I totally get it. They're going to have that polarization," Sylvester Stallone told The Associated Press when asked about audience reactions. "My hope is that people that have screened it have enjoyed it and say, 'You know what? It's not as bad as you think.'"

Photo from Geocities.