Rocky (1976) Review

 

Rocky (1976)

Rocky follows Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer from working-class Philadelphia who gets a shot at the title against reigning world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed after Creed goes looking for an easy sell. 

I’ve said it before on this page, but there is such an allure to younger Stallone, before the action movie stardom, when he was still fresh faced and hungry to make it in the movie business. Rocky is the epitome of that hunger, not just representing the struggle and fight of a local boy out of Philadelphia, but also representing Stallone’s own underdog fight to make it and be seen, allowing him to showcase a very personal and moving story that is as much about the struggle on the streets as it is the ring. 

What's terrific about this film too, that the sequels sort-of glossed over, is that it's about Rocky. It's not about winning. It's not about fighting. Hell, he even looses the fight against Creed. No, it's about Rocky and his desire to get by in the world; a story any of us could relate to and a reason why it has resonated with so many for so long. It’s that parallel of going the distance, always getting back up, and relentlessly coming back for more in the face of insurmountable odds that made Rocky a classic because boxing was just a thinly veiled cover for working class America in the 70s. 

We get a wonderful cast in Joe Spinell, Burt Young, Burgess Merideth, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers, and Sylvester Stallone. Stallone, in his first real performance, is so endearing, allowing the audience to really relate to his selfless nature and purity of heart. His performance sets the tone for the entirety of this film and everything else follows beautifully. 

Based loosely on the story of boxer Chuck Wepner, Rocky, directed by John G. Avildsen and written by Stallone himself, is really the ultimate underdog story of a man who will fight for every inch in life, for himself and for any person he meets. You don’t have to be a fan of boxing to love and cherish the message it brings to the table. 

8.9/10