Floats like a buffalo, stings like a well smacked botty! (Rocky (DVD))

Member Name: Judgee

Product:	Rocky (DVD)
Date:	14/04/02 (232 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Feel good film, love story, Action

Disadvantages: Over the top fights

Unless you have lived your entire life in a cocoon, or have yet to discover the joys of television (and let's face it both are unlikely!) then you will have at least heard of the legendary boxer named Rocky Balboa, even if you have never watched a Rocky film. Think of Stallone and what character springs to your mind first? For most people I guess, it is probably the down and out fighter with the wonky eye and the slurred speech. Why? Well Rocky symbolises the little man that takes life's punches on the chin and refuses to be beaten. You can't help but admire the spirit in which he takes on the world. Stallone will never be classed as the greatest actor that has ever lived, but in Rocky he found his calling. Perhaps he tried to milk it too much, sequels 2 and 3 were fine but by the fourth it became a bit stale, by the fifth, well just out and out embarrassing. Today I am reviewing the first film, the place where it all started. Written in 3 days by Stallone himself, it may have its faults, but has still earned a place in the all time movie hall of fame, at least as far as I am concerned!


Cast/Characters

Sylvestor Stallone - Rocky Balboa
Talia Shire - Adrian
Burt Young - Paulie
Carl Weathers - Apollo Creed
Burgess Meredith - Mickey
Joe Spinell - Gazzo


Rocky is one of life's could-have-beens. Having grown up in a tough area of Philadelphia he tries to stay on a straight and narrow path although his circumstances and associates often make this a difficult task. Boxing in dark and dingy fight halls by night, he supplements his income by day by collecting debts for local loan shark, Gazzo. Right from the start you realise that his heart is not really in the debt collecting game, refusing to take the hardline with debters that his boss would like. His lack of ambition also shows in the ring, making do when he really has the determination if not the ability to do much better.


It's a l
onely life at the bottom and Rocky seeks the attention of Adrian, a shy and awkward pet shop assistant to add some kind of excitement into his otherwise dull existence. Adrian is the sister of his best friend Paulie and Paulie tries his best to get the mismatched couple together. With Adrian being so shy and Rocky not being particularly gifted when it comes to wooing the ladies, it takes all of Paulies efforts to get the two to go out on a date. Eventually he manages it and an uncomfortable romance begins to blossom.


Meanwhile, the heavyweight champion of the world, Apollo Creed finds that life at the top is not all plain sailing. Contenders make excuses to avoid fighting him in the ring and being an astute business man as well as accomplished fighter, he formulates a plan to make him some extra cash and boost his popularity at the same time. His plan is simple, take a white all American/Italian deadbeat boxer and put him in the ring against himself. This would make Creed seem generous by giving an underdog a chance at the title and the publicity would bring in oodles of cash.


Rocky's luck is changing, not only is his romance proceeding nicely with Adrian, but Apollo Creed decides that Rocky's fighting nickname "The Italian Stallion" is sure to be a big crowd puller for his next fight. The date is set, Rocky focuses on the fight and begins training. Everybody assumes that he doesn't stand a chance against the current champion. Unfortunately no one tells Rocky this and his belief in himself, pushes him ever forwards towards the fight of his life. Can he do what can't be done?


As always I will say no more on the plot, you never know, there might be somebody out there who has yet to see this film. If that's you... tut tut tut!


Well I guess the two main aspects of this film are the romance and the fighting action. As for the romance, it really pales into insignificance compared to the
build up to the big fight but I am glad it is there. It helps to build up the bigger picture when it comes to Rocky's personality. You get to see the softer side of his character and it made me think of him as a big dopey puppy. Rocky really is a nice, genuine bloke who tries to do his best for everybody and just wants a little piece of love and affection for himself. His naivety with women is as blatant as is his innocence when it comes to being exploited by virtually everybody he knows, be it Apollo Creed or his best friend Paulie. Adrian comes across as the only person who really has Rocky's best interests at heart and it's nice to see some one who is truly in his corner.


The fighting is raw in style and overcooked in the believability stakes. Rocky is punched in the head so many times you get the feeling that his pet fish will wake up with a headache! But so what! All through the film you are coaxed into hating Apollo Creed's arrogance and loving Rocky's innocence and determination. If ever there was a fight in which to take one side, this one is clear cut, Rocky all the way and I challenge anyone to say they felt differently! You have to allow a certain amount of artistic licence in most films and this is no exception. So my advice would be when it comes to fight scenes, just forget realism and just enjoy the action.


Stallone provides probably his best performance in this film, failing that, at least his best performances are as Rocky Balboa. He gets your sympathy going at first and this leads to admiration later on in the film. Talia Shire is a convincing 'Dork' that turns into a swan with a bit of help from Rocky. Carl Weathers is good, if a bit over the top as the 'Muhammed Ali clone' Apollo Creed and Burt Young is disgusting as ever, as the slobby friend with few scruples, Paulie. For all those Die hard Rocky nuts that may be wondering why I haven't really mentioned Rocky's crotchety
old trainer Mickey played by Burgess Meredith. Well, although you feel he is a main character, in fact he is pretty insignificant in the first film and only really takes main stage in the sequels.


John G. Aviston won an Oscar as Best Director for this film and I think it's easy to see why. Although the story can drift in the early stages, the build up to the end fight is exceptional. There are no particular camera tricks and he keeps the camera changes to a minimum to enable you to concentrate on the characters and in particular, their interaction with one another. He does speed things up somewhat in the fight scenes to increase the excitement factor. Music is used to great effect to stir the emotions when necessary. His whole handling of the story makes the characters seem real and for me this is the key to his success. You have to believe Rocky is a real person or the film just would not work! Other than the Rocky films, he is probably best known for 'The Karate Kid' (1984) and it's sequels (less said about them the better!)


As for the music, it's just great. I guess the best known song from ALL the Rocky movies is 'Eye of the Tiger' by Survivor. This seems a bit strange, as I believe that it didn't turn up until Rocky 3! However, as soon as you hear the Fanfare I am sure that the music from the original Rocky will come flooding back. You must remember it, big, big fan fare followed by two hefty BLAM BLAMS! You can get a compilation of the music from ALL the Rocky movies, although there is a sound track from the first film lurking in the back of most good music stores. The line up on it is as follows:

Gonna Fly Now (Rocky Theme)
Philadelphia Morning
Going the distance
Reflections
Marines' Hymn
Take You Back
First Date
Taker My Heart away
Fanfare for Rocky
Butkus
Alone in the Ring
Final Bell
Rocky's Reward


I am sure the Rocky
films have inspired many people over the years, perhaps not only boxers but anyone the strives to overcome lifes setbacks. It is arguable which Rocky film was the best, but for me you just can't beat the first one. Sylvester Stallone shows that he is not just a meatheaded musclebound monotoned action hero despite his limited acting ability. Having written the story, it shows that he knew the kind of roles he would be best at, after all he must have had the leading role in mind for himself, from the very start. In the late nineties he tried to broaden his horizons and ultimately met with failure. All right, I can credit him with success prior to that with the Rambo stuff but let's face it, as with his main action hero rival Arnie, neither of them were destined for Shakespear. Rocky is a feel good film and despite numerous viewings it still makes me want to get up and punch something when the film ends. Timeless and a must for any video collection, I love it!



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