Go the distance!

Rating: Null/10 (21 June 2001)

The film that made Sylvester Stallone's an overnight sensation and launched one of the most successful film series ever. However, this was much better than what would come later and other films of similar style have never matched its uplifting mood and edge-of-the-seat excitement.

The endearingly old-fashioned story sees Stallone's uneducated, down-and-out, ghetto guy and part-time boxer called up to challenge the World Champion in a special Thanksgiving event. The supporting cast is one of a kind. Talia Shire, Burgress Meredith, Burt Young, along with many others, all play roles that can be found down most streets whilist Carl Weathers wonderfully paints a picture of the ego that goes with fame and fortune as the Champ determined to give Rocky a hard time.
The memories that viewers take home with them however continue to be director John G. Alividsen's training montage sequences, and of course, the final climatic fight. All hallmarks from a hallmark movie.