This film has to have been watched by almost everyone in the world at this point...

Reviewing it as part of the (so far and presumably closed) 8 installations of the Rocky/Creed saga.


What stands out?
- It is a real drama and love story. The boxing is merely a vehicle to show the tough, luckless lives that these very nuanced individuals live.
- Stallone plays Rocky not as a moron and a slow thinker but as an uneducated guy who has street smarts, is a tough guy but not a thug.
- The screenplay. Some beautiful scenes and monologues... The post-Mickey visit rant and the quiet speech to Adrian the night before the fight.

In relation to the other films:
- this Rocky is the same Rocky as 3, 4, Balboa and the two Creeds. He's not a moron. He is capable of some quite astute thinking. The anomaly to this version of Rocky is really the punch-drunk Rocky of V and II. PTSD Rocky...
- The boxing fight at the end is poorly shot compared to the later films but it barely matters. This isn't a sports film, it's a love story and a real 70s drama about a real character.


There's every reason to say this is the favourite Rocky as the whole film oozes heart and really takes its time setting up characters, giving them story, nuance, and warmth. The dividends that pays last 7 other films after this!

It's not my favourite of the saga these days but an occasional rewatch reminds me how brilliant this film was and still is.


9/10

Up until this week there was a Sylvester Stallone sized gap in my viewing history, as I somehow had never seen the triple Oscar winning (with 7 more nominations) film that rocketed him to stardom. I finally sought this out because I saw an interview Stallone did on BBC back in 1977. In the interview, he described his background and motivations. He was well spoken and as an aspiring screenwriter, I found it incredibly relatable and inspiring. So, with that as the backdrop, does the almost 50 year-old classic hold up? Absolutely*!

The story is tight as can be, with interesting characters, strong dialogue, and, of course, an iconic theme song. Stallone absolutely sells the role. One of my favorites scenes was probably when Mickey comes to Rocky's apartment to offer his services. Just an excellent set-up and Stallone delivers a raw/powerful emotional performance. I was also surprised at how funny the movie was at times, albeit always with a dry, almost Coen brothers humor. I'm not even sure how intentional it was, but something like Rocky asking Paulie half a dozen times if Adrian knew he was coming on Thanksgiving was hilarious. Then there's the ending, which even though I knew the result was coming (hard to avoid spoilers this old), the movie still surprised me with the execution in the final moments. The way the announcer and fight result is so out of focus to almost be lost is such an effective punchline. Just quality stuff.

*There is one exception. A component of the film that absolutely will not hold up for modern audiences is Rocky and Adrian's first date (specifically once they get back to his place), which watches like an uncomfortable compilation of problematic male behaviors of yesteryear. It's crazy to think there was a time when the line, "I'm going to kiss you, but you don't have to kiss me back", delivered while Rocky has Adrian literally cornered between his arms, was considered to be any kind of romantic/acceptable.

Rocky is an inspiring story about an ordinary man who takes advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I do have to say, the movie has a rocky beginning, as the dialogue is pretty clunky and awkward at times. But after about twenty minutes, the movie really gets into its groove and had me locked in till the end. My favorite aspect of this film is the humanity it has; it takes a look at a big and intimidating fighter in Rocky and explores his emotions and insecurities. My favorite scene is when he lays in bed next to Adrian with the sudden realization that he cannot win this fight. It was an incredibly vulnerable moment for him and worked really well.

As I said before, the dialogue is very inconsistent, especially in the scene at Rocky's house with Adrian. It was very unsettling to watch because she is written as if she does not want to be there, but then the next second she is in love with him. It was very weird and creepy. On the other hand, in some scenes, the dialogue is written very well, which lends itself to boosting the actors' performances. But when it is off, the acting on display is negatively affected. Despite that, this movie gets a lot more right than it does wrong in the script department.

Technically, this film excels. The score is fantastic, with one of the most iconic songs in cinematic history. The cinematography is top-notch, with some incredible shots in the city and very creative angles used during the training sequences.

Overall, this film lived up to every ounce of hype it had behind it, and I thoroughly enjoyed every second spent with these characters.

Score: 98% |
Verdict: Masterpiece

Sylvester Stallone is "Rocky", an enforcer for a small-time Philadelphia mobster who works out in Burgess Meredith's gym ("Mickey's") and is keen on the sister of his friend "Paulie" (Burt Young), the shy and retiring "Adrian" (Talia Shire). Meantime, World Heavyweight Champion "Apollo Creed" (Carl Weathers) finds his impeding tilte defence kybsoshed by an injured challenger. At this point serendipity takes a hand and "Creed" decides to pluck a challenger from obscurity - and he chooses the "Italian Stallion". What follows is a solid, engaging tale of grit and determination as the champion assumes it's all in the bag and together with his tight-knit team, the challenger is focussed and determined to, at least, go the distance. Sure, Stallone isn't an actor in any traditional sense - he is more of a character, he oozes the part rather then portrays it - and that is what makes this work. You are subsumed into his life, his love, his training and his ambition - almost as the then aspiring Stallone would have been whilst writing and making the film. The action scenes are first class, and the charisma offered by the star, and by trainer Meredith help this stand the test of time well. There are holes in the plot - but they are fairly easy to overlook if you allow the sentiment and strong performances to take and keep hold of your imagination. Great stuff.

This was the ultimate Rocky story wasn't it?

It was inspiring with the training, it was inspiring with the fight, and it was about the characters and the characters are what makes a great story.

The down side was Creed, he was a little under-developed in this wasn't he? They make up for it in Rocky II, III, and IV, but in Rocky he felt like a faceless nemesis didn't he? He was Mohamed Ali without real depth in this and the story could have used to develop him a little more in the first one.

But... we got it in the sequels.

The biggest selling point was the love story... I know mushy, right? ... but they did a great job of making it awkward and at times intimidating as well as absolutely sweet and charming and it was completely realistic and believable.

You could sit down and watch it and understand how they fell for one another. You got a sense of who they were and that carried over into Rocky II... but kind of ended in III and we only caught a glimpse of it here and there until Balboa.

Still, it was the low budget movie that stole out hearts. And it was the inspiring story about the underdog, and Rocky movies are best when they inspire.