Rocky

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Rocky
This film has been preserved in the National Film Registry in 2006.
"Apollo Creed: Ain't gonna be no rematch...ain't gonna be no rematch." Rocky Balboa: "Don't want one." - Rocky Balboa
Genre: Sport

Drama

Directed by: John G. Avildsen
Produced by: Irwin Winkler

Robert Chartoff

Written by: Sylvester Stallone
Starring: Sylvester Stallone

Talia Shire Burt Young Carl Weathers Burgess Meredith

Cinematography: James Crabe
Editing: Richard Halsey

Scott Conrad

Music by: Bill Conti
Production company: Chartoff-Winkler Productions
Distributed by: United Artists
Release date: November 20, 1976 (New York City)

December 3, 1976 (United States)

Runtime: 119 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Budget: $860,000
Box office: $225 million
Franchise: Rocky
Sequel: Rocky II

Rocky is a 1976 film starring Sylvester Stallone (who also wrote the film) as Robert "Rocky" Balboa, Talia Shire as Adrian, Burt Young as Paulie, Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed, Burgess Meredith as Mickey Goldmill, Thayer David as Miles Jergens, Joe Spinell as Tony Gazzo, Tony Burton as Tony "Duke" Evers, and Pedro Lovell as Spider Rico. The film was directed by the late John G. Avildsen. The film was released on December 3, 1976. this film was also later followed by Rocky II in 1979.

Plot

In November, 1975, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), a small-time boxer from working-class Philadelphia, is arbitrarily chosen to take on the reigning world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), when the undefeated fighter's scheduled opponent is injured. While training with feisty former bantamweight contender Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith), Rocky tentatively begins a relationship with Adrian (Talia Shire), the wallflower sister of his meat-packer pal Paulie (Burt Young).

Why It's the Ultimate Underdog

  1. The story about Rocky Balboa attempting to go on a big heavyweight champion is incredible; what's more, Sylvester Stallone is also amazingly well written, since he also plays the iconic character.
  2. In addition, the story is not just being amazing, but it is just about a hero boxer, which it is still acceptable for a Rocky film.
  3. Rocky is a very lovable and memorable character, as well as a talented fighter, who tries way too hard to train in order to be the best fighter, making him a sympathetic character.
    • The supporting characters are also likeable and memorable, especially Adrian, Mickey Goldmill, Apollo Creed, and Butkus (even though he's a minor character he's still likable).
  4. The fighting scenes are amazingly choreographed, especially in the final fight between Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed.
  5. Incredible acting from Sylvester Stallone, who plays the Rocky, and is also the writer of the movie.
  6. Amazing cinematography.
  7. Despite the film being mostly serious, there are touches of humor in the film, so that the film won't be empty to most people.
  8. Very memorable and iconic quotes such as "Yeah. I been out there walkin' around, thinkin'. I mean, who am I kiddin'? I ain't even in the guy's league."
  9. Amazingly epic and awesome opening scene as we see Rocky's first fight.
  10. This film is the real poster child for the classic "rags to riches" story. In fact, it even invented (or at least popularized), the training montage, which became the most iconic and the most parodied scene in history.
  11. The soundtrack is phenomenally amazing. It was composed by Bill Conti, especially when one the most memorable theme songs to date is Gonna Fly Now.

Bad Qualities

  1. The story can be a little bit predictable at times, though the story is still amazing.
  2. Plot Hole: When Rocky knocks down Creed in the first round, he doesn't go to a neutral corner until a good 10 seconds after Creed hit the canvas. This was critical because the referee cannot start the count until the fighter is in a neutral corner. As it took Creed to the count of 8 seconds to get up off the canvas, had Rocky gone to a neutral corner immediately Creed would've been counted out and Rocky would've been champion via a 1st Round KO. 55 seconds into the first round, Rocky scores a knockdown and Apollo doesn't rise to his feet anywhere near the count of 10. If you count it out, it's more like 15-18, depending on how fast you count. Rocky wins in the first round.
  3. The punching sounds, do not sound convincing as they sound muffed.

Reception

Rocky currently holds a 91% "Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 69 reviews, with an average rating of 8.4 out of 10 and a critic consensus that reads "This story of a down-on-his-luck boxer is thoroughly predictable, but Sylvester Stallone's script and stunning performance in the title role brush aside complaints." Gene Siskel of The Chicago Tribune gave the film a 3 out of 4 stars and stated in his review "Sylvester Stallone [is] as likable as a basset hound." Roger Ebert of The Chicago Sun-Times gave the film a four out of four stars and described the film as "like a cliché from beginning to end. But Rocky isn't about a story, it's about a hero. And it's inhabited with supreme confidence by a star."

Awards and nominations

Rocky was nominated for 7 Academy Awards including Best Actor for Sylvester Stallone. The film won three including Best Picture.

Legacy

The statue of Rocky

The film was so popular that a statue of Rocky was erected in 1981 (a year before Rocky III was released in theaters) near the Philadelphia Museum of Art near the stairs where Stallone walked in the famous stairwalk scene. In 2006, the film was placed in the National Film Registry.

Videos

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Trivia

  • Screenwriter Sylvester Stallone was offered $275,000 for the rights to his script, but he refused to sell unless he was cast as the lead.
  • Bette Midler was considered for the role of Adrian before Talia Shire was eventually cast.
  • Rocky was one of the first feature length films to use a Steadicam. Garrett Brown, who is credited with special camera effects for Rocky, was granted a patent for the Steadicam process in 1977.
  • Sylvester Stallone donated the Rocky statue to the city of Philadelphia in 1982. It still sits at the top of the famous steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
  • Elevated trains were no accident in the movie, the director would call action for a scene when they knew a train was coming.
  • The film's script was inspired by the 1975 title bout between Muhammed Ali and Chuck Wepner.
  • Rocky won three Academy Awards® – including Best Picture.
  • Before his breakout success with Rocky, Sylvester Stallone cleaned lion cages at New York Central Park Zoo.

External links

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