The "Italian Stallion" Named Rocky Scores a Knockout

Rating: Null/10 (26 July 2008)

Rocky is more than just a boxing movie. Rocky is about going after your dreams when the opportunity arises. Everyone can relate to being the underdog, to being the down and out guy without a chance of actually being the one to come out on top. Rocky Balboa uses boxing as a metaphor to just capitalize on the great opportunities that come by in life.
The whole premise of the movie is an unknown getting a shot at the heavyweight champion. Carl Weathers, (played by Apollo Creed) the heavyweight champion of the world gives Rocky a chance because he likes his nickname, The Italian Stallion because he knows it's marketable. Apollo doesn't take Rocky with any seriousness. Why should he? He belittles him during the televised press conference, doesn't train for the fight, and degrades and humiliates Rocky when he ever gets the chance to (Before the start of the fight). What makes Rocky so unique and wonderful is that they don't cookie-cutter anyone as the main villain. Apollo can be seen as a generous man, and although he talks down to Rocky he certainly isn't the bad guy. And it's not even like Rocky wants to beat Apollo, it's almost like Rocky wants to beat himself, do the best he can by "going the distance" and Apollo is just the best fighter in his way for him to try to achieve his goal.
One of my favorite scenes that I feel makes Rocky so special is the night before the fight. Rocky wonders around the stadium, and then goes back home to Adrian to say "he can't beat him." This is a moment where Rocky sort of admits defeat; it's a gripping, captivating scene that displays the more gritty realism of Rocky. Everyone from time to time has those moments of doubt, where they realize that it just ain't realistic and feasible. This shows the depth and character of Rocky, almost as if he has sort of been broken down. At this time, Rocky just decides that "All he wants to do is go the distance. Nobodies ever gone the distance with Creed, and if the bell rings and I'm still standing... maybe I'll realize I wasn't just another bum for the neighborhood." This scene is so pivotal in marking a fairy-tale movie like Rocky so much more gritty and realistic.
The training montage with "Gonna Fly Now" blasting through the screen while Rocky runs up the steps is easily one of the most memorable, recognizable, and inspirational scenes of all time. It's like a metaphor for somebodies triumph; Rocky runs from the lower class section of town to the more intellectual area. He runs from the bottom to the top. He turns around to the face the city in which he came in and he raises his arms higher than the skyscrapers. The symbolic nature of the shot is astounding, and it is probably the most inspirational image from any film ever.
Rocky is just such a magical, emotional, powerful film. You feel like your in it with Rocky, and during the fight scene your standing up screaming for Rocky. It's such an incredible experience. It's sentimentalism at its best. The acting is terrific all across the board. Burgess Meredith is perfect as Rocky's trainer. Burt Young is great as the drunk, jealous, irritated friend. Taili Shire is great as the shy pet shop worker. And Sylvester Stallone was born to play the down and out, lovable boxer. At the time, Roger Ebert said Sly would be the next Brando. Well, that didn't quite work out for Sly, but he delivered an excellent performance in Rocky. The score is one of the essentials for fueling the film, and is easily one of the best fitting scores of all time. And the cinematography make for some of the most memorable scenes in movie history. Everything is just so great about Rocky, which is what makes it what you love so much about movies. 10/10 I recommend it for everyone.