One Of A Kind.

Rating: 8/10 (28 April 2017)

I guess there's A lot of people born in the 80's or 90's taking this for a poor 70's movie. Slow, boring, and dull.
Filmed in a semi-documentary way by the director to get that "street-feeling", it's really a great move. Today not many people can't stand to see a movie filmed in a "handy- cam" way...)
Re-visit - for an example - "French Connection" (1971.)
Younger watcher's of Sylvester Stallone by his so called youth can't believe their eyes, but for god's sake: Do It!!
Here is pure and good acting, from a guy that was almost broke and finished in the business he once choose to enter, in then 1975.
Made up A boxer's story his way and made it work all the way to an Academy Award.
The company did not had high hopes and gave away just a strict 1 M$ (same as the 1st James Bond movie 14 years earlier) in production costs.)
You can clearly see the fails and the flaws of a 70's movie, but that's the charming parts of it. The whole cast crew gives their most to make you believe it, and you do that.
The steps Sly takes on the way to the final confrontation is very heartful and moving, which of course was the attention.
Fellow actors Burt Young and Talia Shire is excellent all the way.
Accused for stealing a concept from a real heavy-weight fight in 1975, Stallone always denies the Ali-Wepner comparison. (The difference of Rocky almost punch movie champion to the floor; the latter being saved by the bell and then pronounced as the winner by judge decision.)
Real boxer Chuck Wepner gave Ali a real deal to handle, referee didn't blow the whistle until a few seconds left of the 14th.(?) (Correct me please...)
All in all a great "feeling" movie.
Carl Wheaters is going punch you hard if you disagree!
A beautiful 70's movie; you like it... or you're not.