Legendary boxing underdog is absolutely everyone's favorite

Rating: 9/10 (15 March 2006)

What a great feel good movie and what an immortal, if unlikely, hero! Boxing is just about the last thing I'm normally interested in, so for me to have enjoyed the movie that much, it must have been pretty fantastic. Sylvester Stallone gives an incredible, believable performance as the underdog boxer who isn't a rocket scientist and has been put down all his life, but is so sweet and innocent at heart. For me (and probably many) there almost isn't a Sylvester Stallone. He's just Rocky.
This famous movie tells the tale of a Philadelphia meat packer, Rocky Balboa, who gets an unexpected opportunity for fame by competing in a boxing match against the huge, cocky favorite, the World Heavyweight Champion, Apollo Creed. Of course Rocky, alias the Italian Stallion, is the underdog by a mile, so must train like crazy, under the direction of his older manager, Mickey (played by Burgess Meredith). Meanwhile the boxer-in-training meets a sweet, painfully shy girl, Adrian, a pet store clerk, who is quite unable to string two words together when talking with a man.
It's just a wonderful story. You cheer so overwhelmingly for this lovable big hunk, and want everything to work out for him, not just in the boxing ring (the whole audience was audibly cheering him on at the theatre back in 1976), but also the romance department. Talia Shire is totally convincing as the timid, endearing Adrian, that Rocky tries amusingly and unsuccessfully at first to impress. She really deserves a nice man. By the way, the movie has a fantastic musical score to accompany the training, the romance, and the Big Fight. I have an enduring mental picture of Rocky running up those steps to that lively and inspiring music...and so does everyone else who saw this movie.
Simple story really, with a venue of the boxing ring. It totally deserved its Best Picture Oscar, all its fame and popularity. I even enjoyed (though somewhat less) most of the numerous sequels...could never quite get enough of Rocky Balboa.