This film is magic!

Rating: 10/10 (22 October 2013)

Although I've seen this film countless times over the years, it's been a while since I last saw it and I caught it on TV earlier today. Once again, I was touched by this story of the rise of the underdog Rocky. This film has such heart and warmth and in my experience, there is little out there to rival it in terms of you wanting to cheer for the protagonist to succeed.
Add to this some fine performances, notably Burgess Meredith. the gnarled old trainer, looking for a last chance to train a real winner.
I often thought that Rocky II was better. In some ways it was, but there is a special magic about the original, a depth, both with the characterisation and the terrific acting, that the sequels lacked.
The film contains one line that I think is one of my absolute favourites. Rocky tells Mickey: "You stop this fight, I'll kill ya" When you see it, in the context in which it is said, you will see what I mean! I don't think there is much in Sylvester Stallone's later acting career that can rival this one. I could watch this any number of times and never get tired of it.