There is a lot about I Play Rocky that is just "fine," but there's also a lot to love

Let's get this out of the way: I Play Rocky is probably going to get some awards buzz. Peter Farrelly's trademark humor, much more subdued from his early days of teaming with brother Bobby for comedies like Dumb and Dumber and There's Something About Mary, shines brightly in a feel-good, underdog story about perseverance and triumph in the face of overwhelming odds. That probably sounds familiar if you've seen Rocky. It has strong performances and a lot of heart, a script that moves quickly despite a few stumbles, and a message that's punctuated explicitly by the film's final scene.

I Play Rocky is the type of movie your dad will love and watch on repeat when reruns air on basic cable. It's effective, it leaves an impact, and it's consistently entertaining. That said, it's also the safest Oscar movie since, well, Farrelly's Green Book. It's the kind of film that will satisfy you every second you're sitting in the theater, but on the drive home, you might forget you ever even saw it.

Peter Gamble's script is fluid, and funny at times, even if it lingers too long in certain periods of Sylvester Stallone's journey toward making Rocky . He captures a pivotal moment in Sly's budding career, from his stubbornness as an actor to his perseverance in creating his particular vision. After losing out on multiple roles and being ignored as an actor, Stallone receives a key piece of advice and decides to make his own luck in Hollywood.

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