Anthony's Film Review - Rocky (1976)

Rocky is a classic film about boxing and an everyday man...

When you think of movies and boxing, the 1976 classic film Rocky no doubt comes to mind. Even if you have not seen it, its impact on American pop culture can be felt. The Rocky musical theme is recognizable to many. The name "Rocky" is practically synonymous with boxing. And it's this film that put actor Sylvester Stallone on the map. By playing the title character of Rocky Balboa, he got to showcase his skills in both acting and boxing.

I would characterize Rocky as a film focused more on character than plot, because we get to see the title character's multiple sides. As a boxer, Rocky fights professionally for money, but with such low pay. On the side, he gets extra cash for doing what an organized crime boss orders, though Rocky still maintains some sense of a conscience. As an animal lover, he shows appreciation for fish, birds, and other pets, and also regularly visits a pet shop run by Adrian (Talia Shire). And as a blue-collar resident of Philadelphia, he lives quietly alone in a modest apartment.

Someone like him would benefit from any chance for more money. That opportunity comes to him one day, when a skilled professional boxer named Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) comes to Philadelphia. Apollo finds himself in desperate need for a new opponent to fight while providing the world with an exciting boxing spectacle. This high-profile combatant can easily choose to fight whoever he wants. Of all the options in front of him, who does he settle for? Rocky Balboa, a.k.a. The Italian Stallion. You could say Rocky is lucky to face Apollo because it's a chance to prove himself, or unlucky because Rocky versus Apollo is a notably unequal match.

From this point on, we have two kinds of movies going on here: one related to Rocky's everyday life and one related to Rocky's lucrative boxing opportunity. The two parts complement each other. The thought of a big fight gets to Rocky, while he also prepares for it knowing that it could change his life for the better. He goes out for a long pre-dawn jog through the city of Philadelphia, ending at the top front step of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He trains hard under the guidance of Mickey (Burgess Meredith). Even then, we are not distracted from the other moments in Rocky's ordinary life.

The climactic boxing match between Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed is worth the wait. The anticipation of it during the pre-fight moments is intense, like a real-life championship match. The fight itself is riveting, filmed like it's an actual boxing match. The two combatants are carefully playing defense while throwing punches at the right moment, all while a play-by-play announcer is heard through the noise. And this fight goes on and on. Who will throw the final punch? Who will be crowned the champion?

Putting it all together, this movie was pretty good. I liked following Rocky's everyday moments of life, because they made me appreciate him for being just like the rest of us: imperfect but always wanting to get through life. And of course, I loved the boxing scenes, from his early development to intense training for the big fight. It's no wonder that this film won the Academy Award for Best Picture. That should tell you all you need to know about how good it is.

Anthony's Rating:

For more information about Rocky, visit the Internet Movie Database.