Yes, he's an underdog. Unfortunately, the movie never comes out of the corner.

Rating: 6/10 (11 November 2007)

"Rocky" is, by no means, an intolerable film, but neither is it the perfect masterpiece, as has been described. The good thing about it is that Sylvester Stallone obviously has some kind of dream, motivation, determination, just like his on-screen persona.
The bad thing is, John G. Avildsen might as well be directing "Rocky Watches Grass Grow," as nothing truly great happens until at least the last third of the movie. Burt Young and Talia Shire seem to live for their shouting matches, which are not that impressive when compared, say, to "Reds" or "The Godfather". Carl Weathers helps boost things, but it isn't until "Rocky II" that his character gets a fair shake.
It's a shame that for a movie this acclaimed, more couldn't have happened. But for many people, it is still the ultimate inspirational picture, that delivers a clever message with at least a couple ounces of ingenuity.
In other words, "Rocky" is a movie backed by a dream, but the dream is never quite fulfilled.