An underdog people can relate to

Rating: 8/10 (27 April 2010)

"Rocky" is one of those movies where you identify with the protagonist in some way. Everyone wishes for a chance to change their lives, but how often does that happen? Well, it happens to Rocky.
Rocky Balboa is a boxer who fights in local bouts in Philadelphia. To supplement his income, he takes a job collecting for a loan shark named Gazzo. Despite being involved in such a brutal sport and seedy occupation, Rocky is a decent human being. He trains at a gym owned by Mickey, who was a fighter in the 1920s. Mickey cares about Rocky, but sees him as a fighter not living up to his potential.
Across the street from the gym is a pet store where a girl named Adrian works. Rocky takes a liking to Adrian, but she does not reciprocate those feelings. It's not that she dislikes Rocky, she is just very shy. Eventually, a relationship blossoms between the two.
Rocky is friends with Adrian's brother Paulie, who works at a meat company. Paulie is one of those people who are just rude, and he is mean to Adrian in several scenes in the picture.
Unbeknownst to Rocky, Apollo Creed, the Heavyweight Champion of the World, is looking for an opponent to fight after the original challenger pulls out of the contest due to a hand injury. The fight itself is to take place in Philadelphia on New Year's Day 1976, which signals the beginning of America's Bicentennial. After Apollo finds Rocky's name in a book of local fighters, he sees the possibilities. As a result, Rocky becomes the challenger.
After accepting the offer, Rocky is paid a visit by Mickey. He explains to Rocky that this chance is a once-in-a-lifetime scenario, and he offers to become Rocky's manager. Rocky does not believe that Mickey is being sincere, since he needed Mickey's help once before and did not get it. Mickey leaves, and Rocky starts yelling at him in a rage. He catches up with Mickey moments later and the two work out their differences. After a handshake, Mickey becomes Rocky's trainer, and the two begin to prepare for the big fight.
The cast deserves praise. Stallone pulls double duty as actor and writer, and succeeds on both counts. Talia Shire is good as Adrian. Carl Weathers gives a fine performance as Apollo Creed. Burt Young is well cast as Paulie, and Burgess Meredith is terrific as Mickey.
John G. Avildsen, who directed "The Karate Kid" and "Lean on Me," does a good job here. Rocky's running to the Art Museum with "Gonna Fly Now" playing is a scene that stays in your memory. That can be said about several lines in the film as well.
I cannot say anything negative about this movie. It is well done and you should see it.