‘I Play Rocky’ Review: Biopic About the Making of Sylvester Stallone’s Classic Is a Hollow Crowdpleaser

"I Play Rocky," Peter Farrelly's film about the creation of Sylvester Stallone's iconic movie "Rocky," is a forgettable, crowd-pleasing biopic that fails to capture the essence of the story it attempts to tell. Anthony Ippolito, playing Stallone, delivers a convincing impression of the actor's voice but lacks the emotional depth that the real Stallone brought to the role.

Director Jay Duplass attempts to coax more out of Ippolito during a crucial scene, emphasizing the importance of finding the "emotional why" of the film, but even under pressure, Ippolito never fully connects. The film tries to compensate with playful jokes about filmmaking and a slew of expected plot points, but these elements fall flat, leaving the audience feeling uninspired.

The script by Peter Gamble is bland, hammering home every development and reference in a way that reduces the movie to a visual encyclopedia rather than an engaging narrative. While the real-life events surrounding the making of "Rocky" are intriguing, "I Play Rocky" misses the mark by delivering a formulaic and emotionally hollow imitation.

The film's lack of passion and creative vision is a glaring disappointment, as "Rocky" itself is a perfect embodiment of the underdog's triumph. Ultimately, "I Play Rocky" is a hollow victory, failing to capture the heart and spirit of its subject.