Wish I'd got around to seeing it sooner

Rating: 7/10 (3 November 2016)

ROCKY was one of those big-hit films that I'd never got around to watching – much like SUPERMAN – but at last I've corrected that film-fan error. Yes, I've finally watched the movie that made Sylvester Stallone a star, the low budget surprise hit that turned out to be the best-remembered boxing film of all time. I suppose there are a lot of reasons I never got around to catching it before – always something more interesting, plus the fact that sports films aren't really my sort of thing. I should have checked this out sooner.
It's not a boxing film at all. Instead, it's a human drama, an uplifting story about a guy who goes from having nothing to having everything. Rocky Balboa is a wonderful creation, played to the hilt by a surprisingly human Stallone. For those used to seeing Stallone as nothing more than a well-muscled action man, think again: he brings plenty to the table as Rocky, giving his most human performance as a man filled with failings but whose spirit wins out come the end.
The low budget is sometimes glaringly obvious, and I can't help but feel that some long winded scenes and sub plots could have been cut out. I appreciate Rocky's romance with Talia Shire, as it gives the movie its core emotional thread, but I can't help but feel there are too many scenes with a drunken, unlikable Paulie than are strictly necessary. On the other hand, Rocky's scenes with Burgess Meredith are very well handled and moving, so kudos to them.
The training sequences are very well handled and it's no surprise that they influenced just about every sports movie that came afterwards – along with all the martial arts movies that copied DRUNKEN MASTER by focusing on long and strenuous training scenes. There isn't even any boxing until the end, as the whole film builds up to the terrific climax that doesn't disappoint. Carl Weathers is very tough and believable as Apollo Creed, too. So yeah – a fine film and another to tick off the list, even if it isn't something I'd go out of my way to watch again. I intend on catching up with the sequels, though.