A movie that speaks to the underdogs of the world

Rating: 10/10 (29 October 2015)

Rocky has been on of my families favorites for forty years now, and it still speaks to the modern viewer in a way that is as powerful as it was in 1976.
I feel a good many of us can relate to the character of Rocky Balboa who is a Boxer in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. A guy who is frustrated in his life by his lack of good fortune in having his dreams come true. A once in a lifetime opportunity from Heavyweight champion Apollo Creed puts them toe to toe in the ring for Rocky to have a shot at the title.
I feel Stallone was telling us a very personal story through the guise of Rocky, and it mirrors how his own acting career was going at the time. Any of us who had to struggle for the things in our lives can appreciate the themes of this movie.
The cinematography makes the movie feel almost documentary like sometimes, and it captures the gritty existence of Philadelphia's ghettos. The scenes at night can get pretty dark looking at times, but it helps to give the movie the atmosphere of depression that exists in Rocky's life.
Also, I must mention there isn't much music to speak of, the only one you will really notice is the unforgettable "Gonna fly now" by the talented Bill Conti.
All in all, if you are looking for pure escapism, or a movie to make you feel motivated or to lift you up, then you would be well nourished by watching this movie.