The American Dream is alive and well, and his name is Rocky (Rocky (DVD))

Member Name: bruffyboy

Product:	Rocky (DVD)
Date:	11/04/09 (37 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: nice story

Disadvantages: acting

WHAT IS IT ABOUT:
Sylvester Stallone stars in this 1970s classic as Rocky Balboa, a down and out low level boxer who gets a shot at the world championship as part of a PR exercise from the champ Appollo Creed. To Creed, it's just a bit of fun, but Rocky's got other ideas. In the film that started a series spanning twenty years, Stallone writes, directs and stars in this heart-warming action drama.

IS IT ANY GOOD:
I am somewhat ashamed to say that I only saw the Rocky films a few years back. Knowing their cult status, I expected good things, but also knowing Stallone's stunted acting credentials, I was willing to forgive a lot. In the end I was happy!

Stallone himself wrote this one, and I think that naivety shines through: this is a very simple story of the American Dream, telling us that anyone can make it through hard-work and perseverance. I'm not knocking that naivety, as it's a touching, albeit simple tale, but be warned there isn't a whole lot of depth.

What there is is a feel good factor that is hard to rival, as Rocky does things we can really get behind, making his mark for the common man.
The fight scenes are really well choreographed (as good as any in modern cinema) and add an authenticity to the movie that is lacking from Stallone's almost disabled performance.

All in all, a feel good film, with basic acting and a basic storyline, but one that couldn't be less presumptuous, and therefore wins the hearts of all who see it. Quite how it won 3 Oscars is beyond me, but I would still recommend it for a good feel good movie, and if you liked it, there are a whole lot more to follow!

Summary: watch it