Rocky

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith
Directed by: John G. Avildsen
Rating: PG
Genre: Sport, Drama
1976

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Reigning world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) decides to give a title shot to a local nobody for public relations reasons. He chooses down and out fighter Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). At first, the Italian Stallion hesitates, but then takes him million to one shot against the Champ.

Review:

Tim: Rocky succeeds primarily because of the freshness of Sylvester Stallone. He wrote the part of Rocky for himself and refused to make the movie without him in the titular role. Rocky is the story of a regular guy who has a chance to make it big. Stallone has a lot in common with his character and that is why his performance is so realistic. The entire movie has an average joe "everyman" quality to it. This is where the film is at its best.

Rocky is really a good guy. We should all see a piece of ourselves in him. The best part of the film isn't the boxing scenes, but the developing relationship between Rocky and Adrian. Their relationship is touching and through this do we get to see Rocky as a man, instead of purely a boxer. It is the human element in this film that make it great.

However, the boxing scenes are all spectacular as well. The final fight against Apollo Creed is just terrific filmmaking. The result of the fight is gutsy and the way the movie should end.

Rocky was good enough to win the 1976 Academy Award for Best Picture. It spawned a number of sequels, but if you can only pick one, this one is the one to see.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend:
Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V, First Blood, Raging Bull