4 stars out of 5 -- "[A]s Stallone's gentle gift for funny, engaging, naturalistic dialogue starts to take hold, the movie fills up with tiny, poignant moments....As a comeback, it could be the greatest triumph of Sly's career."
Total Film

"[T]his fifth sequel is perfect in scale and minus pretension, qualities that extend to Sylvester Stallone's performance as well."
USA Today

4 stars out of 5 -- "ROCKY BALBOA is a genuine highpoint on which to hang up the gloves."
Ultimate DVD

"It turns out that the added years only benefit the character, making him seem touchingly new....[With a] very niftily staged climactic bout..." -- Grade: B
Entertainment Weekly

"[I]t's hard not to be stirred once fight night arrives....Stallone, like his alter ego, avoids overstaying his welcome against the odds."
Sight and Sound