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Overall Rating
  Awesome: 75.31%
Worth A Look: 17.9%
Average: 1.85%
Pretty Bad: 0.62%
Total Crap: 4.32%
4 reviews, 138 user ratings
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| Rocky |
by Slyder
"Still memorable after all these years"
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It’s true that the formula of Rocky has already been done many times before, about the disgraced fuck that one-ups himself in order to gain if not fame, at least respect; just check Elia Kazan’s masterful On the Waterfront. Still, the reason that Rocky works is because everybody here gave it 100% on the shoe-string budget they have. Sylvester Stallone couldn’t ask for a better career debut and he rightfully deserved it when Rocky became one of the biggest hits of 1976, and still stands as one of the most memorable films ever made. What happened afterwards of course is another story.The plot of course was inspired by the notorious Muhammad Ali vs. Chuck Wepner fight in which Wepner went a full 16 rounds and even once knocking the Greatest down. Hence the following: Chump boxer and local bum Rocky Balboa (Stallone) suddenly gets the chance of a lifetime when out of sheer luck World Heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) draws his name out of the box to become his next contender. Balboa sees this as a chance to gain at least the respect of his peers, especially a boxing coach called Mickey (Burgess Meredith) whom would later become his trainer, while at the same time he tries to woo a local shy pet store clerk Adrian (Talia Shire) whom is sister to Rocky’s friend Paulie (Burt Young).
The success of everyone here is well-deserved since due to the low budget, everyone gives out their best in the movie. Director John G. Alvidsen (Joe, Save the Tiger, and The Karate Kid) manages to successfully turn his economical shortcomings into artistic strengths as he and cinematographer James Crabe bring out the cold urban landscapes of Philadelphia and its suburbs. Another great example is the ice skating scene in which 300 extras were originally planned but since they couldn’t afford it, they only shot with Rocky and Adrian and making it one of the most intimate scenes in the movie. The script is unquestionably Stallone’s best (compared to the utter shit he would write later) even if the fights are gripping yet unrealistic and it leaves a couple of characters and scenes undeveloped such as Paulie’s character and to a certain point Adrian’s. Many people give Stallone credit for this movie and he deserves it to a certain point, but its John G Alvidsen who in the end is the one who made this film work as great as it came out.
The second most important thing that drives the movie is the acting: Stallone gives out is honest and most complete performance due to the fact that the limitations of the character mold very well with his personality, and also because he gives it all since this was his make-or-break film; it’s pretty much the only time he manages to truly act and only once or twice he would come close to match his performance here. Talia Shire also comes out on her own with her dead-on portrayal of Adrian as well as Burt Young as the violent Paulie. Besides Stallone though, the man of the hour is Burgess Meredith and he nearly walks away with the entire movie with his impressive portrayal of the snarly Mickey.In the end, this film is a classic, and a fine film to watch with the family since it’s one of those feel-good movies that you can’t help but watch. Too bad that Stallone lost himself amongst his own movie formulas and brainless action thrillers and became nothing more than a talent-less studio hack. The same goes for Alvidsen, whom only did one good film after this one, and never recovered since. Oh what could’ve been… 5-5
 del.icio.us 
link directly to this review at http://efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=1256&reviewer=235
originally posted: 09/26/04 05:35:18
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OFFICIAL SELECTION: 2006 CineVegas Film Festival For more in the 2006 CineVegas Film Festival series, click here.
Trilogy Starters: For more in the Trilogy Starters series, click here.
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USA
21-Nov-1976 (PG)
DVD: 05-Dec-2005
UK
N/A
Australia
02-Feb-1977 (PG)
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