Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
The original Rocky, written by and starring Sylvester Stallone in the title role was released
in 1976 and winning the best-picture award that year. Not only did composer Bill Conti's
famous "Gonna Fly Now" theme song to the movie reach #1 on the billboard charts, Rocky also
grossed 225 million dollars, on just a 1-million dollar budget, to this day, making it one
of the most profitable movies ever created. By now you know the plot, Rocky Balboa is
a loan shark, and boxing enthusiast on the mean streets of Philadelphia, awkwardly trying
to win the affection of pet-shop worker Adrian Pennino when he gets the opportunity of a
lifetime when Heavyweight champion Apollo Creed decides to select a local unknown boxer
at random to fight for his belt on New Years Day. Thanks to his now-famous nickname, The
Italian Stallion is the local boxer Creed decides to fight... Rocky spends then spends
the movie training for this fight by way of musical montage, trained by spunky cranky
gym owner - Micky Goldmill, portrayed by Burgess Meredith like no other actor could have. Simultaneously,
Rocky, and his adorably loveable womanizing skills attempt to win over the affection of
Adrian, played by Talia Shire. Although the definite B-plot to all the Rocky films, the
love-story is not to be overlooked, one that is painfully realistic at times, and a relationship
you can't help but smile at. Burt Young plays Paulie Penninio, Adrian's older and more protective
brother, and Rocky's best friend. Paulie is, like every character in this movie - an absolute
treat, a funny, realistic, empathetic, and memorable character who I'm glad returned
for all five sequels. As the film's writer, Stallone has to get all the credit for this
movie - as he creates characters who are so realistic, lovable, and inspiring - that anyone
who watches this film will be cheering out loud for them in the final scenes. The build-up
to Rocky's final fight with Apollo Creed is perhaps one of the greatest middle-acts in
cinematic history... the epic montages of Rocky charging the steps of the Philadelphia
Museum Of Art to "Gonna Fly Now" are so engrained into the psyche of the audience that hundreds
of people to this day still run those steps, their arms raised over their heads. And the
heavy-weight fight itself is a masterfully woven conclusion to an amazing story of the
inspiring underdog who rises to the occasion and achieves the impossible. Rocky the epitome
of the "Feel-good" movie, one you won't mind watching over and over again. And it's certainly
a big help that all five sequels are similar achievements in cinema - each one more impressive
than the last... well... except maybe for Rocky V. As far as sports movies go, Rocky
is the crown jewel, a wonderful film that is great for men and women of all ages. well,
that's what I thought of the movie - now lets see what you had to say in the YouTube comments!
OriginalLawnmower The first Rocky isn't a guy film at all. The others mostly are, but
the first one is a masterpiece that appeals to anyone with a brain. 10/10
LancerEvo10Fan One of the greatest movies of all time. A great soundtrack for the ages
and very intense action scenes. Almost everything in this movie is very memorable. 10/10
Okay, lets go out with a *** here, and send Rocky up the Rate Of Matic... a Double-Amazing!
And it comes to no surprise, with almost half of you guys rating this movie a perfect 10.
And while Rocky I isn't even my favorite movie in the series, I can't think of a single thing
I don't like about it... I have to score it a 10 as well.