Rocky (1976)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Melvin W

  
   Apollo's Trainer: He doesn't know it's a damn show! He thinks it's a damn fight!  "His whole life was a million-to-one shot." Rocky is a beloved underdog classic. The name itself has become synonymous with sheer willpower. Sure it is one big cliche and… More
   Apollo's Trainer: He doesn't know it's a damn show! He thinks it's a damn fight!  "His whole life was a million-to-one shot." Rocky is a beloved underdog classic. The name itself has become synonymous with sheer willpower. Sure it is one big cliche and the main theme has been done a million times, but there is something to be said for a movie that can pull you in like this one does. We know what to expect from the very outset with Rocky aka The Italian Stallion. He is a dumb, poor, low rent boxer who fights other no name boxers for very little money. He also collects for a loan shark on the side. We know we are supposed to grow to love this dumb guy who talks too much. The success of the film relies on us being able to love this character. So based purely on that, I like the film. Every time I watch it, I laugh at the stupidity of some of the scenes, like when Rocky is walking and does his little air punch routine; but I always love the character by the end. Rocky gets his shot at the title when Apollo Creed hand picks him because of the nickname The Italian Stallion. He knows the name will sell, just as he knows that the underdog story will sell. Rocky isn't so much a sports film, as it is a story of a man who finally gets a chance in life. It's also a little play on the American dream, as Rocky has a chance to make it big when just yesterday he had absolutely nothing. Stallone also throws in a nice, if slightly awkward, love story. Stallone's screenplay explores a lot of themes and none of them are original by any means, but somehow he still pulls everything into a  well executed film. The popularity of Rocky is pretty crazy. You can't go a week without seeing it on television. Its appeal with men is also ridiculous. It has grown to be included in the genre of the guy movies. It's one of those films every guy must see, and most have. The ones that haven't would never admit it either; they just forgot about the scene you are talking about. The movie hasn't aged as well as one would hope, and it's easy to find problems with it now, but still I have troubles saying anything bad about the film.  In reality this film isn't nearly as good as a lot of people say it is. It isn't a masterpiece and if you think it is, you're wrong. It's highly overrated; that's just a fact. Still, I have to say I like it more than I should. There's something about the movie that draws you in and makes you unable to hate it, when in reality you should. What did this movie add to the underdog story? Nothing, yet everything. 

• Jeff "

  
  Rocky is a solid boxing drama that is probably when of the best boxing films ever made. Not only that but this is probably one of the best films that Sly has ever done. Although nowadays boxing films are almost a cliché, Rocky still remains a classic because it was one of the first… More
  Rocky is a solid boxing drama that is probably when of the best boxing films ever made. Not only that but this is probably one of the best films that Sly has ever done. Although nowadays boxing films are almost a cliché, Rocky still remains a classic because it was one of the first fight films to feature an underdog character. That to me is something that cannot be duplicated. No matter how many boxing films have come after Rocky, this film along with Raging Bull are still the standard boxing dramas, and the ones that are truly worth seeing. Rocky is a brilliant film that is a definite classic, and if you really want to watch the inspirational film, pick up this one. The film features a brilliant performance by Sylvester Stallone, who delivers as Rocky Balboa. Like I previously stated, this film is the film to watch if you want a terrific sports drama. What makes Rocky so special is the fact that it was made when Sports dramas were minimalistic in the sense that they didn't really have them back then. Nowadays it seems that every year there's some sort of drama and 95% of time it's about boxing. Rocky is a true original, and no matter how many films have come after it trying to duplicate its formula, there can be only one, and it's Rocky. The story is terrific, the acting incredible and the directing is terrific. No wonder it has stood the test of time, and it's refreshing no matter how many times you've seen it, and no matter how many films try to duplicate its underdog story. If you want the classic original underdog, Rocky Balboa is his name.

• Jason S

  
  He lost?

• Alexander D

  
  THE sports movie. Unbeatable.

• Directors C

  
  Rocky is truly inspirational. This story of an underdog boxer is a greatly compelling story with drama and romance in a solidly made script and outstanding performances from all of its cast members. Definetely Stalllone's best film. Nothing he has made to date has had the same… More
  Rocky is truly inspirational. This story of an underdog boxer is a greatly compelling story with drama and romance in a solidly made script and outstanding performances from all of its cast members. Definetely Stalllone's best film. Nothing he has made to date has had the same powerful and emotional strike.

• Brad W

  
  Rocky is a lifechanging boxing movie that will be in your heart forever. Its the story of Rocky Balboa who is a small time boxer who gets the chance to make it big when he must fight boxing champion Apollo Creed. The plot is not just a simple boxing film, this movie has a great… More
  Rocky is a lifechanging boxing movie that will be in your heart forever. Its the story of Rocky Balboa who is a small time boxer who gets the chance to make it big when he must fight boxing champion Apollo Creed. The plot is not just a simple boxing film, this movie has a great theme that it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, but either way you win in life, andI truly respect that about the movie. The cast in incredible, easily Sylvester Stallones best role to date, and everyone else was just incredible. The boxing scenes were also very well done and very enjoyable, they were great. Rocky will likely be remembered as one of the greatest boxing movies ever, and it is one of the best boxing movies ever, and I loved it.

• Cassie H

  
  This movie is the reason why Sylvester is my #1 favorite actor. Not only did he have great acting in this movie, he had the coolness factor, and was SO CUTE!!! Just a great movie. I love it so much! :) A great way to celebrate the aniversary. :) Love it! :) Everyone should see this… More
  This movie is the reason why Sylvester is my #1 favorite actor. Not only did he have great acting in this movie, he had the coolness factor, and was SO CUTE!!! Just a great movie. I love it so much! :) A great way to celebrate the aniversary. :) Love it! :) Everyone should see this movie!!! :) :) :)

• Jameson W

  
  I'm not going to lie...I didn't see what the big deal was. A very good film, but completely overrated!

• Michael E

  
  its okay but somewhat boring

• Jennifer X

  
  After finally seeing Rocky, I'm shocked by how dated and horrible this movie is. I watch a lot of sports movies, and this one definitely ranks at the bottom.

• xGary X

  
  A simple-minded but good natured nickel and dime prize fighter is given a shot at the title by the overconfident champion as a publicity stunt. The original Rocky is another example of a film that has become overshadowed by its legacy, and the franchise has become a glowing example of… More
  A simple-minded but good natured nickel and dime prize fighter is given a shot at the title by the overconfident champion as a publicity stunt. The original Rocky is another example of a film that has become overshadowed by its legacy, and the franchise has become a glowing example of everything that's wrong with the studio system. The increasingly laughable and simplistic sequels ignored everything that was good about the original, which was really a story of the underdog who is given a chance at self respect and escape from his hope-free existence. Balboa was obviously influenced by Terry Malloy from On The Waterfront and Stallone's acting talents are clearly well suited to this shambling, self conscious and inarticulate character; the dialogue is repetitive and ineloquent, but that actually makes it more realistic. The story is as much about inner-city life at the bottom of the food chain and his romance with cripplingly shy wallflower Talia Shire as boxing and considering the route the franchise took, it's surprisingly unsentimental. There's nowhere near enough of Carl Weathers and Burgess Meredith and at the end of the day, it's a sports movie and as such follows the usual formula, but the gritty approach makes for a surprisingly engaging watch that has stood the test of time quite well. Quite how it beat Taxi Driver for the Best Picture Oscar is a mystery though.

• KJ P

  
  The story of a boxer who is living in an old raggedy apartment, with very little money, until someones rings his bell with a chance at the title! Going through life changing moments, falling for a girl, going through training, hard times and unrelentless power, Rocky is one of the… More
  The story of a boxer who is living in an old raggedy apartment, with very little money, until someones rings his bell with a chance at the title! Going through life changing moments, falling for a girl, going through training, hard times and unrelentless power, Rocky is one of the best films of the 70's. Sylvestre Stallone gives the best performance of his career and truly makes himself a believable boxer at heart! I have never thought I would love a boxers life journey so much, but here I have to give it more credit that any boxing movie ever made. ROCKY is Brilliant!

• Richard C

  
  B+

• Dean !

  
  The classic underdog has his day film, probably the best Rocky of them all!

• Spencer S

  
  This movie has one thing above all else: Heart. Rocky, going the distance and all, is a definite winner.

• erika b

  
  good music but not my type of film. I really liked the plot.

• Coxxie M

  
  Fuh two howuz i was like, ay yo is Rock gonna win da fight? i see him bag dis hot broad, then run up fifty steps, and drink raw eggs, and its fight night and its onlee twinny minute fight, foist of all, then Rock all uva sudden gets hit- BOOM- and he hits the floor-BLAM- and then my… More
  Fuh two howuz i was like, ay yo is Rock gonna win da fight? i see him bag dis hot broad, then run up fifty steps, and drink raw eggs, and its fight night and its onlee twinny minute fight, foist of all, then Rock all uva sudden gets hit- BOOM- and he hits the floor-BLAM- and then my jaw drops -POW- and its like, ok kin i jus see Talia Shire's sweet italian boobs, but then i didnt see um and i got all rageful and punched my head, and i didnt feel betta so i cooked up a powah shake and made some meat, and i felt betta. da movie wus okay though !

• Conner R

  
  I really don't understand why anyone doesn't love and cherish Rocky. It is in many ways the best sports oriented movies around, even though it's technically more about a man more than boxing. Rocky really manages to get deep inside your heart early on and never lets go.… More
  I really don't understand why anyone doesn't love and cherish Rocky. It is in many ways the best sports oriented movies around, even though it's technically more about a man more than boxing. Rocky really manages to get deep inside your heart early on and never lets go. A lot of that is due to Sylvester Stallone's amazing and flawless performance, he created a person that you cared for like they were your family or your best friend. Every time he gets made fun of or hurt, you feel it too. What also makes it so great is the filming style. Most of the movie is spent just following Rocky around and getting to know him as a human being, a lot of it being on steady-cam and very claustrophobic. Then there is the story that is so powerful and relatable, it's about someone who does everything he can to prove he's worth something. It is the greatest bit of character development ever put on screen in my opinion and worthy of every once of praise it receives.

• Lady D

  
  The second part of the film was certainly the better half, in fact for such a widely known Classic, I had expected this film to be much better than it was - that will no doubt stop me from going on to watch the rest of the series though. Whilst most of the film was predictable and… More
  The second part of the film was certainly the better half, in fact for such a widely known Classic, I had expected this film to be much better than it was - that will no doubt stop me from going on to watch the rest of the series though. Whilst most of the film was predictable and as cheesy as it was, I quite liked the training scenes and the actual fight.

• Thomas B

  
  Uplifting. Full review later.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings