Rocky! Rocky!!

Franchises, no matter how big or small, shouldn't slink away with a pathetic final chapter. That was where the "Rocky" pictures stood after 1990's "Rocky V" left fans wanting less, not more, of the aging Stallion. So Sylvester Stallone gave us "Rocky Balboa" last year, a startling comeback engineered against all odds by its writer/director/star.

This week, "Rocky: The Complete Saga" hits DVD shelves, a reminder that the much teased franchise did end on a surprisingly high note. The set is a mixed bag, to be sure, and even the best of the sequels can't match the soul of the original. "Rocky" is the modern day underdog, and if there's a better example of the genre in recent years, it's not coming to mind.

That said, let's all say a silent prayer we've seen the last new "Rocky" feature. (Photo: Stallone as Rocky Balboa striking a subtle pose before the American flag)