One of Stallone's best films

Rating: 8/10 (2 July 2004)

Let me start this review of by making one thing absolutely clear; I hate boxing. I don't even consider it a sport. I consider it legalized violence, that people pay money to see, knowing that each blow to the head costs countless braincells. So, there is no way I would ever like a boxing movie. But Rocky isn't a boxing movie. It's not about boxing; it's about determination, will-power, and doing what you can to realize your dream. That's why I think Rocky is a great movie; it has something that everyone can relate to. Many people who watch this movie don't know the first thing about boxing, nor do they care about it(myself included); but everybody has a dream, something that they want to accomplish, something great they want to achieve at some point in their life. And that's why it's going to appeal to so many different people; everyone can relate to the theme: wanting to realize a dream. The plot is good, it moves along at a slow, steady pace, so you will need to be fairly patient with this film. Don't worry, the waiting pays off in the end. That I can promise you. The acting is pretty good, by pretty much everyone in the film, even Stallone, who I'm normally not at all impressed by. The characters are well-written, credible and likable(the ones we're supposed to like, at least). The story and theme is something that really sparks some interesting thought, especially since this was based on something that really happened. It's definitely one of Stallone's best films. I recommend it to fans of Stallone, and people who the subject appeals to(which should be many, many people) who has the patience to sit through a somewhat slow-moving two-hour movie(which narrows it down a little). 8/10