"Rocky" is the ultimate underdog story. Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is the average man who gets a shot at the title and has the chance to do something truly extraordinary. It’s a story that anyone can be inspired by and runs parallels with Stallone’s own career as he was very much an unlikely choice for movie stardom (as happened after Rocky became a big hit). Rocky is the perfect character for Stallone; he’s never better as the title character and his drive and enthusiasm to make this film really comes through in every frame. Stallone is amicably assisted by a stellar supporting cast, with Carl Weathers and Burgess Meredith being the standouts. Director John Avildsen shoots in a very realistic, documentary style fashion which gives the film a very authentic, gritty look. "Rocky" is a landmark film; it may be a bit slow compared to today’s films but it still has the same timeless resonance.
Rocky Balboa is a down-on-his-luck would be boxer. He resorts to being a loan shark to make money and his life is generally going nowhere. But he has a heart of gold, despite his tough exterior and mangled speech. Fate happens to drop an opportunity in his lap when flamboyant boxing champion Apollo Creed (played by an excellent Carl Weathers) offers to give Rocky a shot at the title. Rocky starts out on a journey which sees him actually going the distance with the champ and stunning the world.
"Rocky" is one of those films that just aren’t made any more. It’s story and characters; that’s it. It’s simple, yet strong. This type of story isn’t really new but the way it’s done is fresh, original and authentic. There’s the sense that everyone working on this film was working on ‘the little engine that could’. In a case of life imitating art (or vice versa, whichever came first!), "Rocky" is a representation of a drive in all of us to realise our dreams, and what it means not to. On this level, most people can identify and enjoy a film like this even if they have no interest in boxing. It could have been about anything (the boxing is just a plot point), but the boxing motif does introduce the idea of literally fighting for your dream.
"Rocky" was one of the first films to use a steadicam. Cameraman James Crabe is somewhat critical in the audio commentary of his early work with the steadicam in this film which he feels is quite rough but it does give the film an documentary-style authenticity that you couldn’t stage. And given the low budget nature of the film, the steadicam actually gives it much more production value in a number of scenes. The final fight sequence looks fabulous, and Avildsen does a great job of recreating a fight as opposed to glossing it up Hollywood style.
Carl Weathers is great to watch. He leaps off the screen and perfectly captures the larger-than-life Apollo Creed who is inspired by the real life boxer Mohammad Ali. Burgess Meredith is truly authentic as Rocky’s manager Mickey. His voice, his mannerisms, even his walk are just perfect. These guys are these characters. Talia Shire does very well as the shy and reserved Adrian who is literally the opposite of Rocky. Burt Young is also superb, if not likeable as the irritating Paulie, Adrian’s brother. But the star of the film, Sylvester Stallone deserves the most credit, portraying an empathic, realistic character in Rocky Balboa. This film is all about Sylvester Stallone and what he accomplished with this film.
"Rocky" is a piece of inspiration. It’s slow by today’s standards but it’s still great entertainment with strong characters that you can relate to.
{ 0 comments }
