Sylvester Stallone Movie:

				Salesrank:
		Used Price: $49.90
		MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
The only remaining evidence that Sylvester Stallone might have had a respectable career, this 1976 Oscar winner (for Best Picture, Director, and Editing) is still the quintessential ode to an underdog and one of the best boxing movies ever made. After writing the script about a two-bit boxer who gets a "million-to-one shot" against the world heavyweight champion, Stallone insisted that he star in the title role, and his equally unknown status helped to catapult him (and this rousing film) to overnight success. The story is familiar, but it has been handled with such vitality and emotional honesty that you can't help but leap and cheer for Rocky Balboa, the chump turned champ (despite his valiant defeat in the ring) who stuns the boxing world with the support of his timid girlfriend, Adrian (Talia Shire), and grizzled trainer, Gus (Burgess Meredith). Oscar nominations went to all the lead actors (including Burt Young as Adrian's hot-tempered brother), but four sequels could never top the universal appeal of this low-budget crowd pleaser. --Jeff Shannon

Rocky [Region 2] Reviews:
awesome
2009-11-14 - I really like the original Rocky movie. I forgot how amazing the writing is.

I mean, come on- it's about a boxer who has to compete in the biggest match of his life thus far in his young and already pretty beat-up career. How can you make a great storyline out of a rather lackluster idea?

By having the story focus significantly on the boxers life, and by featuring a steady and quiet storyline build-up to please those of us who love a good drama, and even include a charming quality in the atmosphere along with great character development by everyone involved in the film.

Sylvester Stallone may be the main character, but all the other characters are equally terrific. It's nice to have some variety.

The portion of the film dealing with Rocky getting to know Adrian was well-executed, and perhaps even better than the boxing match itself. Absolutely great writing material. Adrian is such a shy woman, in fact, more shy than I've EVER seen a woman before, and that kind of personality appeals to me personally.

This is the film where we learn about all the characters that would make more appearances and play major parts in future Rocky movies. Most of the movie focuses on getting to know the characters, and less on the fight itself (even the dramatic build-up to the fight was short and sweet).

The boxing match itself was fun to watch, though I wish the writers would have included a bit more of the match itself, instead of skipping ahead several rounds. I won't reveal who won the fight, but you might get the same impression I did over who really won the fight based on the amount of material we see.

So yeah, the film is obviously dated a bit, Sylvester Stallone is quite young here, the movie does a tremendous job showing viewers what it's like to wander down the dark, empty streets of Philadelphia in the middle of the night, and this movie is just the beginning of what would deservedly become a classic film series over the years.


THIS ONE HASN'T AGED WELL ...
2009-09-17 - You have to give Sylvester Stallone credit for writing himself a starring vehicle, and then getting it made. He also more or less created the "Sports Underdog Triumphs
In The End" genre. That said, that fact that this embarrassingly over-acted film beat out ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, BOUND FOR GLORY, NETWORK and TAXI DRIVER for the
Best Film of 1976 is absolutely mind-boggling, and becomes more so with each passing
year. Strictly for Sly fans, and anyone who wonders what was in The Academy's drinking water that year ...

A Classic!
2009-08-20 - Rocky won an Oscar for Best Picture in 1976 and rightfully so. Sylvester Stallone isn't a gifted actor but it's pretty amazing he wrote this film and all the sequels. Rocky is a tender film about an underdog boxer who gets a chance to fight heavyweight champ, Apollo Creed. Talia Shire's beloved character, Adrian is so shy and nervous in this film, thank goodness she loosened up in Rocky 2. This film was a labor of love for Stallone, such a touching and rewarding film, enjoy!

Rocky-Great film of 1976!
2009-07-13 - Rocky was a great five star film from 1976. The latest DVD transfers have been excellent at aspect ratios of 1.85 and play beautifully on a wide screen HDTV and upward compatible DVD player. This story by Sly had it all and created a great character that would endure for years.

My favorite film ever, and Stallone's best!
2009-07-12 - I am a huge fan of Stallone, and this is definitely his best. You can tell that it was a true labor of love for him, especially when you listen to his commentary. The characters are very believable (Talia Shire, Sly and Burt Young are amazing), the storyline is great, the music is phenomenal, and the dialogue is great. I also love the fact that this isn't your typical 'feel good' movie. It doesn't have the typical perfect ending. He get's the girl but he still loses the fight.

In this edition, the commentaries, particularly Sly's are very informative and fascinating. He lived and breathed the character for as the whole month it took to shoot. I could go on and on, but do yourself a favor and just buy it. You won't regret it!