Rocky (1976)
Rocky is an American sports drama movie made in the year 1976. It is the movie that launched Sylvester Stallone and announced a start of his career. This film was directed by John G. Avildsen. The story was written by Sylvester Stallone. It is a story about an American dream. It tells us a story about a simple and uneducated boxer Rocky Balboa. He started his career as a club fighter and at the end he gets a chance to challenge the world heavyweight champion. Rocky is a thrilling story of a simple man willing to reach the top.
Actors
The main actors in this movie beside Sylvester Stallone are Talia Shire as Adrian, Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed, Burgess Meredith as Rocky's trainer and Burt Young as Adrian's brother Paulie.
Plot
Rocky Balboa is a main character of this movie. He is a small time boxer. He also worked as a collector at a loan shark office. There is a Heavyweight Championship scheduled for New Year's Day 1976. Apollo Creed is a world heavyweight champion. He is injured and he wants to give a local small time boxer Rocky Balboa a chance to challenge him. Apollo likes Rocky's nickname and thought that it was a good idea to fight with an unknown boxer.
Rocky wants to prepare for the fight and he does it with a help of his trainer Mickey Goldmill. Mickey believes in Rocky and he encourages him to improve his training efforts. Paulie is Rocky's good friend who works in meat packing plant. Rocky comes to an idea to practice boxing on the animal carcasses hanging in the freezers of the meat packing plant. Rocky dates Paulie's sister Adrian. Before the final fight with Apollo Creed, Rocky confesses to Adrian that he doesn't believe in victory.
The boxing match between Rocky and Apollo starts on New Year's day. Apollo doesn't take this fight seriously. He was surprised when Rocky knocked him in the first round. This was embarrassing to Creed. He decides to intensify his attacks. The fight lasts for 15 rounds. Both of the fighters suffer many injuries. At the end of the fight, the ring announcer declares the fight for Apollo Creed. Adrian and Rocky embrace and confess their love to each other. They don't care about the results of the fight.
Reception
At the time of its release Rocky received different kinds of reviews. Although some of the critics didn't welcome this type of story and stereotypes in this movie, it received a warm welcome by public. It was nominated for ten academy awards in nine categories. It won three academy awards for best picture, best director and best film editing. Rocky was a start of successful series of movies that left a great influence on cinematography in 70's and 80's. Rocky Balboa become an idol to many people and they were impressed by his persistence and will to success.
Rocky is a movie worth watching. It has an interesting story and a dynamic action. It is a good choice for people who like fighting movies combined with a little bit of romance. Rocky will surely keep you attention from beginning till the end.