Raw emotion wins out

Rating: 9/10 (16 February 2005)

Rocky is one of the most famous movies ever and spawned one of the cinema's most popular franchises. Much of it forms one of the cornerstones of film history, and it has one of the most famous scenes ever. But many people disregard it as a great movie. Even now I am utterly insulted that it is not even in IMDb's top 250. That's just an outrage. Rocky is a true classic in its field.
It is also one of the most influential movies ever, perhaps not in cinematic techniques but in story techniques. Rocky is nothing else but the original underdog story. Nowadays it seems like every sports movie- no, it's really like this- employs an unthinkable underdog story. Every single one of those films takes their main focus off of Rocky.
This movie never gets complicated, never enters thought, doesn't have any big plot twists or jaw-droppers, much less any philosophy or thought-provoking considerations, but it stabs at what you feel most: your heart. It is simply impossible for any good person to feel nothing in their first viewing. You root for Rocky like you have never rooted for anyone else before. That is the essence of this movie.
However, Rocky does have some splendid moments of direction. The steps scene, something that has been imitated so many times, something that is just as deep into our culture as the Vader battle in Empire Strikes Back, actually has some fantastic cinematography. The best part of Avildsen and Stallone's work are the intercutting shots of Rocky training coupled with the classic Rocky theme song.
I have just hit at one of the major reasons for Rocky's emotional effect: the soundtrack. Bar none, Rocky has the best and most inspirational soundtrack ever put forth into a movie. The theme song and the battle theme will flat out pump you up. It may sound silly to someone who hasn't watched Rocky, but it's the truth.
The plot of Rocky is basically this: he is just another bum living in the streets of Philadelphia and the first half of the movie do a great job of creating a depressing environment and a feeling of hopelessness. He is also a boxer at clubs, very clumsy, unskilled, but with a lot of heart. Then he gets the chance of a lifetime: Apollo Creed, the world heavyweight champion, is looking for a local underdog to fight and he has chosen Rocky. From a million-to-one shot Rocky has a shot at the title. Little does he know that this is just a novelty. He trains hard with his trainer Mickey, who is one of the most lovable characters conceivable, and the movie eventually leads up to the climactic showdown with Creed.
That fight pushes this movie over the top. It still stands as one of the greatest boxing scenes in the history of the cinema, maybe not as realistic or atmospheric as those found in Raging Bull but just as entertaining. And the fact that the ending isn't your typical jolly olly underdog tale. Although the most inspiring movie tale ever told this movie is not a very light one.
In the end this stands as one of the greatest sports movies of all-time, in the Holy Trinity along with Raging Bull and Hoosiers. It is basically perfect in what it does and nothing more. Do not expect this movie to alter your life or your thinking, just get ready for an inspiring piece of film. 8.9.
"Did you get the license plate number? Of the truck that ran over your face."