Rocky is and has been a classic ever since its release back in 1976. Sylvester Stallone gives a memorable performance as small-town heavyweight boxer Rocky Balboa who gets a chance to fight Apollo Creed, the heavyweight champion.
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The story behind the film is almost as incredible as the film itself – Stallone wrote the script himself while being in a rather tough spot in his life, selling his dog just to get by. When an offer came to buy the script from Stallone, he only accepted once he knew he would be cast in the leading role. This is an outstanding backstory to the film that started a franchise that is still active and very, very memorable today.
The script is perhaps the best part to this film, as we know the story behind the screenplay we can appreciate the wonderment that is the dialogue in this film. Heart-warming in places, and even sometimes (particularly between Rocky and Adrian) difficult to listen to as they are forced together by Adrian’s brother. Stallone really understood, and still does, the reality of human beings and how interactions really occur.
Without saying, this film will appeal to the sports fan. A boxing film may not seem all that glamorous – and it’s not, but that’s the beauty of it. The heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears that go into boxing shines through in Rocky as the same mixture went into this truly exceptional film.
The film, when watching today, may seem so old and even mediocre – but when you really watch and appreciate the effort, the skill and the amazing people who created the legend that is Rocky Balboa, you may find a new appreciation for cinema.
Tagged in Sylvester Stallone Rocky