Rocky

Rating: 9/10 (4 December 2009)

Described as one of the best uplifting dramas ever made, and probably the most popular underdog story of all time, I had to see it, from Oscar winning, and BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated director John G. Avildsen (The Karate Kid). Basically Rocky Balboa (Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated Sylvester Stallone) is a struggling small-time boxer in Philadelphia, who works in a meat factory, and also collects debts for loan shark Gazzo (Joe Spinell). Rocky boxes once in a while to develop his skills, his ex-trainer Mickey (Batman's Oscar nominated Burgess Meredith) thinks he could be on top if he really worked hard, which is why he is really hard on him. Current world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Predator's Carl Weathers) is visiting Philadelphia, and after a match he was keen on falls through, he and his promoters decide to set up a once in a lifetime opportunity for an unknown boxer to fight him, they of course pick Rocky, "The Italian Stallion". Rocky, while training for this event, is trying to get closer to his local pet shop owner Adrian (Oscar and Golden Globe nominated Talia Shire), who is very shy, but they do fall for each other. So it comes to the big match, and after Rocky in his training montage, with that iconic theme, he is ready to face Apollo, and it takes more than three rounds to finish either of them off. The final round is really hard to watch, and even though Rocky didn't win, you really feel up in arms for him, and he and Adrian declare their love for each other. Also starring Oscar nominated Burt Young as Paulie, Thayer David as Jergens and Joe Frazier. Stallone is brilliantly convincing as the no-hoper boxer who makes the most of his opportunity, Weathers does well as a worthy opponent, Shire wonderful being quiet and attractive, and Meredith, still almost quacking like his Penguin, is gloriously over-the-top grouchy. This is a story that will appeal to all those people out there who want to achieve something, and this shows with hard work, it can be done, and it doesn't necessarily matter how long it lasts, with the iconic montage sequence and catchy music, and the great fight sequences, especially of course the finale, this is a must see boxing drama. It won the Oscars for Best Film Editing and Best Picture, and it was nominated for Best Song for "Gonna Fly Now" (which was number 58 on 100 Years, 100 Songs), Best Sound and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for Stallone, it was nominated the BAFTAs for Best Editing, Best Screenplay and Best Film, and it won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Drama, and it was nominated for Best Original Score for Bill Conti and Best Screenplay. Rocky Balboa was number 7 on 100 Years, 100 Heroes & Villains, "Yo, Adrian." was number 80 on 100 Years, 100 Quotes, the film was number 78 on 100 Years, 100 Movies, it was number 70 on The 100 Greatest Tearjerkers, it was number 52 on 100 Years, 100 Thrills, and it was number 4 on 100 Years, 100 Cheers. Very good!