Hands down the most overrated film in cinematic history.
Slow, predictable, extremely poorly acted, dull, uninteresting characters, cheesy, not even that well made (how did this thing get Best Picture?).
I know that it connected with a lot of people because of its underdog/everyday man vibe, but I’d argue that a movie like Die Hard and its central character did a much better job at that.
This thing feels very dated when you compare it to its contemporaries like Raging Bull.
To me it’s a clear case of people overrating something because it did certain things first, whereas movies like The Fighter, Creed and Warrior have taken the tropes of this film and improved on them.
Up until this week there was a Sylvester Stallone sized gap in my viewing history, as I somehow had never seen the triple Oscar winning (with 7 more nominations) film that rocketed him to stardom. I finally sought this out because I saw an interview Stallone did on BBC back in 1977. In the interview, he described his background and motivations. He was well spoken and as an aspiring screenwriter, I found it incredibly relatable and inspiring. So, with that as the backdrop, does the almost 50 year-old classic hold up? Absolutely*!
The story is tight as can be, with interesting characters, strong dialogue, and, of course, an iconic theme song. Stallone absolutely sells the role. One of my favorites scenes was probably when Mickey comes to Rocky's apartment to offer his services. Just an excellent set-up and Stallone delivers a raw/powerful emotional performance. I was also surprised at how funny the movie was at times, albeit always with a dry, almost Coen brothers humor. I'm not even sure how intentional it was, but something like Rocky asking Paulie half a dozen times if Adrian knew he was coming on Thanksgiving was hilarious. Then there's the ending, which even though I knew the result was coming (hard to avoid spoilers this old), the movie still surprised me with the execution in the final moments. The way the announcer and fight result is so out of focus to almost be lost is such an effective punchline. Just quality stuff.
*There is one exception. A component of the film that absolutely will not hold up for modern audiences is Rocky and Adrian's first date (specifically once they get back to his place), which watches like an uncomfortable compilation of problematic male behaviors of yesteryear. It's crazy to think there was a time when the line, "I'm going to kiss you, but you don't have to kiss me back", delivered while Rocky has Adrian literally cornered between his arms, was considered to be any kind of romantic/acceptable.
Success is not about winning, it is about standing up after every time you fail and to never quit!!
I watched this as a kid and over time I pretty much forgot how it went. Apart from popular culture references in other media, I pretty much went in not knowing anything. And I'm surprised how much heart is in this film. What a great character Rocky is. Sure some things won't go over well in movies nowadays but he's a product of his time and environment. He had every chance to become nothing more than a thug but he kept dreaming. Even when people started giving up on him. He also seems involved in his community and taking care of people within it.
Ok.the final fight is coming up between him and Creed. I'm sure Rocky will win this...
the end for me was a bit cheesy and abrupt, but its an iconic movie hands down
This is The Godfather of sports movies. I loved it as a kid and it still holds up. Just a great story.
A classic from a different age, and the mold of a lot of movies to follow.
This is seriously the worst shit I've ever seen. What a waste of time.
A beautiful, touching and personal story of an underdog. An all time classic.
The original Rocky is iconic, and launched one of the most influential cinema franchises. Yet, this first installment is far subdued from what Rocky would become; delivering a smart edgy drama. It’s a quintessential populist story: down-and-out “everyman” Rocky Balboa gets a shot to go the distance with world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed in the Bicentennial Super Battle fight on New Year’s Day. Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, and Burgess Meredith all give strong performances (all Academy Award nominated). And, composer Bill Conti crafts a brilliant score that carries the soul of the film. Despite a few dated pieces of ‘70s style filmmaking, Rocky holds up as an extraordinary inspirational drama.
That's an amazing movie... Excellent
Overrated, it’s just a regular movie
This film has to have been watched by almost everyone in the world at this point...
Reviewing it as part of the (so far and presumably closed) 8 installations of the Rocky/Creed saga.
What stands out?
- It is a real drama and love story. The boxing is merely a vehicle to show the tough, luckless lives that these very nuanced individuals live.
- Stallone plays Rocky not as a moron and a slow thinker but as an uneducated guy who has street smarts, is a tough guy but not a thug.
- The screenplay. Some beautiful scenes and monologues... The post-Mickey visit rant and the quiet speech to Adrian the night before the fight.
In relation to the other films:
- this Rocky is the same Rocky as 3, 4, Balboa and the two Creeds. He's not a moron. He is capable of some quite astute thinking. The anomaly to this version of Rocky is really the punch-drunk Rocky of V and II. PTSD Rocky...
- The boxing fight at the end is poorly shot compared to the later films but it barely matters. This isn't a sports film, it's a love story and a real 70s drama about a real character.
There's every reason to say this is the favourite Rocky as the whole film oozes heart and really takes its time setting up characters, giving them story, nuance, and warmth. The dividends that pays last 7 other films after this!
It's not my favourite of the saga these days but an occasional rewatch reminds me how brilliant this film was and still is.
9/10
Rocky and Adrian are so bloody cute. I honestly thought this was a story about a boxer who was a meanie but he's such a sweetheart.
Amazing movie. Really inspiring. Who didn't feel like training with that music?
Rewatching this masterpiece in honour of Carl Weathers' passing.
:heart::heart::heart::heart::heart::heart::heart::heart::heart::heart: - I can watch Rocky 100s times without getting bored
10:heart:- Masterpiece :100:
9:heart:- Excellent
8:heart: - Amazing :ok_hand:
7:heart:- Great :sun_with_face:
6:heart: - Good :thumbsup:
5:heart: - Average :head_bandage:
4:heart: - Bad but watchable :octagonal_sign:
3:heart: - Bad :sob:
2:rage:- Awful :face_vomiting:
1:face_with_symbols_over_mouth: - Bull Shit
a man fighting his brain cells.
Sly airs the first and Oscar-winning boxing adventure.
Rocky is undoubtedly a great classic that left an unforgettable mark on cinema. However, while it set the stage for an iconic film series, I would argue it's not the best of the bunch. Nonetheless, it remains a powerful and inspirational film that laid the foundation for one of the most beloved franchises in movie history.
i really like the part where rocky is at the meat locker, and he stops talking mid-conversation to poke some meat and quietly say moo.
This is a solid film. The directing doesn't come off as particularly flashy, but it works, and the acting is probably as good as anything we could ask for here. The writing is subtle, but allows the story to cover various topics and aspects of like with a fair amount of deft. While the film lacks nuance on the topic, it does shed an interesting light on toxic relationships as well, especially the inevitable result of toxic sibling relationships, as well as how much life goals can influence one's trajectory.
Contrary to this film's reputation, it's actually quite dark, especially during the second act, and there's a surprisingly low amount of actual boxing during the film as well. I've heard it put that this film "isn't about boxing, it's about life", and I couldn't agree more.
A great underdog sports film about a local struggling boxer who gets a shot at the title against the heavyweight champ as sort of a publicity stunt as there are not a lot of top contenders. But it turns out to be a hell of a fight. The story of rags to riches story of Rocky is just such a touching story that tells you to never give up. The plot development, especially the first part of the film showing all the details of Rocky's life is as great way to get the audience to fall in love with the character that leads to a legendary of a movie series.
I love movies and I had gone my whole life without seeing Rocky. It is now nearly 50 years old, and I finally got around to it! It is easy to see why it is beloved. The plot of the underdog story; as well as the boxing are really well done. The only real critique is that this seems like a perfect one and done story that I am not sure what spawned this into a whole franchise, but obviously good thing it did!
Rating: 4/5 - 8.5/10 - Would Recommend
I live in South Jersey. Gotta love the mention in the Ice Rink scene.
"Going the Distance" is one of my all time favorite movie instrumentals, and fits so perfectly in the fight scene. So inspiring, and reminds us we can all get up, even when life is pushing us down.
"Rocky" is one of the greatest sports movies of all time. Above all, it popularized pretty much all the tropes of the subgenre. It really has everything that is still the norm these days, such as the underdog protagonist, the seemingly undefeatable antagonist, the epic training montage, and the final event in which the underdog surpasses expectations. "Rocky" may have had a small budget, but it was used to perfection, with the film also benefiting from great performances, most notably by Sylvester Stallone and Burgess Meredith. Ten Oscar nominations and three Oscars, as well as an insanely strong box office result, speak volumes.
I expected to rly like this one, but the story bored me and I found all of the characters to be pretty off-putting. I just couldn't enjoy it. I'm glad to know that others find it so inspiring though! And I am glad I finally gave it a watch, even if it wasn't my taste.
It's a good movie that shows how at the right time the right people comes to help you.I guess it's difficult for today's generation to understand this movie cause they don't get it things were not the same back then,all you got is one shot and few resources.
I didn't enjoyed it as much as I thought I would but I liked Rocky's courage.
This movie is not s**t it's gold.
An extremely impressive screenwriting debut for Sylvester Stallone, not to mention a breakthrough acting performance, in this transcendent boxing saga that's more about the path to the ring and the tumultuous effects of both participants' personal lives than the outcome of the fight itself.
Stallone is raw and nuanced as Rocky Balboa, the punchy palooka who wears his heart on the sleeve of his leather jacket and tumbles through life in a barely-contained tailspin. He's awkward but approachable, blunt but genuine. When flanked by an equally flawed supporting cast, we catch Rocky's personality from a number of different angles. Finally granted the long-sought opportunity to date a friend's sister, he's clumsy and oafish. They both are. The climactic moment of their embrace isn't a Hollywood crescendo, met with a romantic orchestral swell, it's a quiet fumble on the cold floor of his ratty, single-bedroom apartment. That's real; that's personal. As a trusted corner man's alcoholism spirals into an incoherent fury, we don't find any easy resolutions. Just added color to an already-bright fabric, portraying life in an American downtown during the mid-'70s.
The film's simple, seat-of-pants production further reinforces that theme. There's no gloss here, no smoothed edges. It's heartfelt and meaningful, bare and earnest, from the quiet moments of self-doubt to the irrelevance of the judges' scorecards at the end of the big match. Great stuff.
astig! first time to watch this movie. it's so awesome. woooooo
Right, how many times did Rocky say "you know" during the entire movie? I count about two thousand.
((Nah seriously though, I fell in love with the Creed movies and needed to come and see what the OG was all about, and it didn't disappoint. There are a lot of iconic scenes in this, for sure, even if I thought the story was a bit wild, like that'd ever happen in real life.... but that's what movies are all about, isn't it? Rocky is a great character.))
8/10
This is THE underdog story. The training montage even makes me want to start training. That music is perfect and the running of the stairs is so iconic. The boxing scenes hold up decently well I just wish there were more of them.
Good stuff 10/10 would recomend
Um dos maiores filmes que vi na vida. Sensacional.
Shout by shanytcBlockedParent2012-02-03T22:49:34Z
One of the most influential movies out there!!!