Sweet and Uplifting

Rating: 10/10 (11 May 2004)

How Sylvester Stallone managed to go downhill after this, his first film (which he also wrote), is a mystery -- he showed the greatest potential so early in his career. Don't think Rambo here...think stuffed teddy bear! The world of boxing is really just a device for the story's reason for being -- courage, love, and the fulfillment of dreams. Rocky doesn't have a chance against the world heavy weight champion, and he knows it...but that's not what matters. He just wants to prove he has the heart to go the distance. Women love the movie for Stallone's endearing characterization, and men love it for the boxing scenes. The Rocky series -- all films -- are the only movies I ever attended where the audiences stood to their feet and cheered and applauded wildly. I've never seen a reaction like that for any other movie -- and I doubt I'll ever see it again. Don't miss this one...it's an experience of the heart.