Greatness with a Capital G.

Rating: 10/10 (22 March 2009)

Rocky is a start to one of the greatest movie series ever in my opinion. While all of the films (except Rocky 5) are very good, the first Rocky film stands above all of them as the best of the series.
Rocky Balboa is a boxer who also collects money. He is living in the slums of Philadelphia and is not really achieving what he should be. As luck would have it the heavyweight champion of the world selects Rocky as his next opponent due to the fact that he wants to fight an Italian on independence day in Philadelphia. This opportunity leads to Rocky starting to try to achieve things that he never dreamed of before.
Often people refer to Rocky as a boxing film but it is so much more. THe acting in this film is great and so is the tone. There are a lot of scenes where characters are silent and reflecting on things that the audience easily can tell. Like how in the beginning Rocky is looking at himself in the mirror as if to say "what happened to me?".
The interaction between characters is awesome. Stallone does an awesome job as ROcky and this is his best performance in a film. How he did not win best actor is beyond absurd. THis is acting at its best. Rocky first meets adrian in this film and this is where the relationship starts. Also awesome in this film is Paulie, Adrians brother. The character of Paulie is very important because it shows the side of envy and disappointment that many people relate too.
While a few of the later films in the Rocky series are action flicks, this one is drama. THere is a lot of training and a great boxing match at the end but the story really is about Rocky and his relationship with several other characters like Paulie, Adrian, and Mickey. This film does an awesome job of developing characters which helps make the series endure for so long.
WHo can resist an underdog story? Rocky working hard in this film is awesome. THe "Gonna fly now" song is awesome as Rocky is training. THis is easily one of the most motivational films I have ever seen. Just thinking about Rocky training in this film makes me think that I can achieve anything.
The boxing match at the end of this film is epic. Nothing quite measures up to it due to how it is set up. THe guy who has no business being in the ring with the heavyweight champion of the world. Rocky holding his own against Creed is spectacular.
There are a lot of other emotional scenes but I do not want to give too much away. ALl I can do is recommend this film to everyone.