It Ain't Over Till It's Over...

Rating: 9/10 (16 November 2013)

"Rocky", is the first movie of a franchise that many people love and adore. Hell, go online and look at the user reviews and see how many people feel about this movie (Or the multiple videos of people running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art). Though I have never been the biggest fan of the franchise, I am for the first time currently watching the movies with a friend who is. Even though I don't adore all these movies like a lot of other people do, I can clearly see why they are so highly regarded.
Sylvester Stallone (Who also wrote the script) stars as Rocky Balboa, an underground boxer who consistently wins yet earns little prize money, residing in a rundown Philadelphia town. Heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), decides to give one underdog a shot at the title choosing Rocky because of his nickname "The Italian Stallion". Rocky is grateful yet refuses the offer, but after a change of heart he later accepts. Training with Paulie (Burt Young), who allows Rocky to train by punching meat in the factory he works at and old boxing coach Mickey (A brilliant performance from Burgess Meredith), who also offers his fighting expertise to Rocky. In his downtime, Balboa also tries to form a relationship with Paulie's shy sister Adrian (Talia Shire). After a couple of training montages here and there, Rocky is ready and does it really matter if he will win? We have gotten to know and love the character so much, either way you'll be cheering his name.
Stallone really had a heart for this film, and obviously has done a very good job on making Rocky such an icon over instalments. John G. Avildsen has shot the film very well to capture the Philadelphia street-life, and the boxing match at multiple angles (Though with any simulated sport, some of the hits don't make contact). Bill Conti's music has obviously passed into the stuff of legend, and one thing I love about the Rocky films is that every one of them has a different era and form of music in their soundtracks. Sure you can have "Survivor" playing, but the first score remains superior and the very well orchestrated pieces give bleak yet optimistic views of inner city life (Listen to "Philadelphia Morning", you'll understand what I mean).
Final Verdict: There's brilliant acting and a bit of a predictable script, but nevertheless it's a film full of heart. Rocky is a great underdog story and who doesn't love the underdog? 9/10.