Quick Reviews!!

Rating: 10/10 (24 November 2004)

Whoever accuses Sylvester Stallone of being incapable of acting needs to watch this and then ask themselves if they are a fool. Acting has nothing whatsoever to do with slurring lines if that is what the role demands, and here Stallone gives one of the most famous performances in Cinematic history. If Spacey and Norton could show the range of emotions Stallone shows in this, i would admit that they are great actors, but they haven't yet, so i won't. Sentimental (not a flaw) and inspirational, we cheer for Rocky and hope that he will beat Apollo Creed, but perhaps more importantly we want to see him and Adrian end up together.
Stallone's script is sharp, Avildson's direction seems effortless, every performance is superb, the characters are real and the music is memorable and rousing. Lots of great images-Stallone and Shire in the ring at the end, Rocky running through the streets, the opening shot of the inner city boxing ring establishing where Rocky has come from. This must rate with Shawshank as one of the most uplifting films of all time, starring one of cinema's most famous characters. 9 out of 10