Rocky Balboa

Years later, Rocky is a widower: Adrian died of cancer, and he runs an Italian restaurant named after her, telling old stories to the customers. His son, Robert, works in an office and resents living in his father's shadow. Rocky reconnects with Marie, whom he knew as a girl, now a single mother to teenage Steps. A computer simulation on TV shows a young Rocky beating unpopular champ Mason Dixon. Rocky renews his license, and Dixon's handlers set up an exhibition in Las Vegas. Robert is against it, but hears from his father that it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, and quits his job to help. Rocky goes the full ten rounds; Dixon wins a split decision, and Rocky leaves to a standing ovation.

• Mid-credits During the credits, ordinary people run up the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps and celebrate at the top with their arms raised, Rocky-style, intercut with shots of Rocky climbing the same steps.

1. ReferenceMarie, the girl from 1976

   Marie is the neighborhood girl Rocky runs into in the first film. Now grown up, she's played by Geraldine Hughes.

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2. ReferenceSpider Rico is still around

   Pedro Lovell returns as Spider Rico, the fighter Rocky faces at the start of the 1976 film. Now he works at Adrian's restaurant.

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3. CameoMike Tyson heckles Dixon

   Mike Tyson shows up taunting Mason Dixon on his way to the ring. Real HBO and ESPN broadcasters play themselves.

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4. Behind the scenesReal punches in the ring

   Stallone and champion Antonio Tarver traded real punches on set. In one take, Tarver accidentally knocked Stallone out.

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