Rocky Reviews | RateItAll

Rocky

1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and written by and starring Sylvester Stallone Website

Approval Rate: 89%

89%Approval ratio

Reviews 47

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  • by

    jvallone014

    Sat Apr 14 2012

    Rocky is one of my favorite movies. The first one is best by far. Rocky Five was the worst one. There were 6 rocky movies. I've watched Rocky over and over again and I never get sick of it. Its a classic.

  • by

    monstermaster1_3

    Wed Oct 19 2011

    Very inspiring, you can't help but get inspired by this movie and the story behind it.

  • by

    genghisthehun

    Sun Jun 12 2011

    It is a good movie and really worth the watch. The story is an old one but a good one about a boxer, a washed up everyman, who fights his way back and tries to grab the brass ring.I don't know the boxing game that well but would a champ take the risk to fight a guy like Rocky? It is hard to suspend your disbelief that much.

  • by

    cablejockey

    Fri Jul 30 2010

    I only watched this because my daughter wanted to see it I was really surprised at how good this movie is and how its held up over the years. The acting and story are compelling. When you add into it that Stallone created the idea and wrote the screenplay, its an even more amazing feat. Also factor in no nudity and no "F" words, and you have a film your kids can watch.

  • by

    canadasucks

    Wed Jun 23 2010

    Watch it again with new eyes - this is a low-budget film with great heart. Shot at a breakneck pace, the film doesn't seem rushed at all. There are wonderful small details. Watch the expression on the actors faces when Rocky tells Adrian there's no way he will win the fight. Watch as Mick tries to express to Rocky how desperately he needs to train a fighter one last time. Remember the turtles? (Cuff and Link. . .) And watch the gray and gritty backdrop of 70's Philadelphia and take in a picture that was impressive yet unimpressed with itself. It's not perfect - but that's always been the charm for me.

  • by

    klmj1234

    Wed Dec 02 2009

    Can't beat this movie for proving the American dream can come true. Had everyone in the theatre cheering for the underdog. Feel good movie and great soundtrack (inspiring to this day).

  • by

    gacracker

    Thu Nov 12 2009

    ROCKY is much more than a boxing movie. Boxing is used as a metaphor for self respect. Neither Rocky nor Adrien has much self worth or respect. They both grow to gain it in this beautifully directed film. It was Bill Conti's first score and the theme ("Gonna Fly Now") has become a standard. The cast has the perfect chemistry. It was made for about 1 million dollars and won best picture, best director (John G. Alvidsen), and best original screenplay. Stallone got the idea from seeing a club fighter, Chuck Weptner, almost go the distance with Ali and also score a knockdown. Stallone wrote the screenplay over 1 weekend. It is THE movie which defines empathy! Stallone knows how to push your emotional buttons! Everybody loves an underdog! It's my all time favorite film.

  • by

    landslider

    Tue Nov 10 2009

    Too formula, too trite.

  • by

    minkey

    Sat Jul 04 2009

    I forgot how good Rocky is. It's on today, being Independence Day. Rocky is really a humble guy, a guy with talent who was very close to being a never was if it weren't for a lucky break - Apollo Creed feeling a bit like a good samaritan, or just wanting to get some local publicity, comes to Philadelphia, feels the brotherly love and decides to give a nobody a shot. Still Rocky doesn't want to do it, he's a very simple, humble guy, almost lethargic, hardly passionate about anything. But it grows, people like Paulie and Mickey and Adrian believe in him when he doesn't. Most of the movie's not even really about boxing, it could be about anything, the American dream really. Makes you think about how many never-was's there are out there, because they have the talent but just don't have the drive, and didnt have the people surrounding them who cared enough to push and encourage.

  • by

    williamlattanz_io

    Wed Jun 10 2009

    A great film in a decade of great films, Rocky is the tale of a palooka nobody who is given a shot at the title. It is also a look into the lives of "small" people living life in a harsh world day-to-day without dreams and little hope. The training sequences, character interactions, and film score are excellent. The backdrop of the tough city of Philadelphia is almost as important part of the movie as the characters. Yet possibly the defining moment of the movie (and rightly so) is the fight at the end. An outmatched Rocky, bloodied and beaten, yet determined to go the distance, keeps coming for more. Finally, late in the fight, knocked down yet again, Rocky wills himself up even with men in his corner urginghim to stay down as Adrienne watches helplessly from the crowd. In this pivotal scene, the films score is fabulous,along with the cutaways to Adrienne and Apollo whose arms, aised in triumph,slowly lower in disbelief as he sees the battered Rocky rising yet again to keep going.... Read more

  • by

    sagedarkhorse

    Fri Jun 05 2009

    The fact that Sly's character just stands there most of the time and gets his face bashed in...all ifght long and throws in a punch here & there... then completely screws up Apollo ... Ugh.. lol I LOVE the Rocky movies but the more I think about how fake they are.. the more it kinda angers me. Overall I love the underdog concept and how cocky people get that they deserve in the end ;)

  • by

    bradleyrwilli_ams

    Sun May 17 2009

    The review by Jeff Shannon should be completely discarded. Anyone that calls Rocky's trainer "Gus" should be forced to write a weekly column on gardening tips. Rocky's trainer's name is Mick and he is phenomenal, this movie is phenomenal. Do yourself a favor and purchase this timeless, inspirational classic movie and never read anything that Jeff Shannon writes again.

  • by

    craigconnell

    Tue Apr 21 2009

    After not seeing this film since it had come out in the theaters in 1976, I was almost shocked at how little action this movie had compared to what you see today....or in the Rocky sequels, for that matter. That's fine. It was needed to give us character studies of the main players: Rocky, his wife, his brother, his manager, etc., people we would see in subsequent films. Also, the fight scenes in those sequels went on too long, anyway. Frankly, I've enjoyed all the Rocky movies, beginning with this one. In this film, the romance between "Rocky Balboa" (Sylvester Stallone) and "Adrian" (Talia Shire) was a major subplot to the boxing saga. It reminded me a bit of the '50s film with Paul Newman, "Somebody Up There Likes Me." If you enjoyed this movie, check that classic film out. The DVD transfer of this 2-disc Collector's Edition is excellent, especially considering the movie is almost 35 years old.

  • by

    drshock

    Thu Apr 16 2009

    I own the older box set with the first 5 Rocky films included in it. I wanted to write reviews for the individual films. This review is for the film and the older release DVD. What more can be said about this lovable lug?! Stallone has never been better than in this heartfelt and inspiring story. With a colorful cast and exciting fight scenes, this film is simply magic! The DVD I own is OK, but if your a big fan the 2 disc special edition is the way to go!

  • by

    anthonycarpent_er

    Tue Mar 31 2009

    All i have to say is this is one all time Classic films and has inspired millions and spawned countless imitators.If you havent seen this you havent lived.A Perfect 10!

  • by

    moosekarloff

    Mon Dec 22 2008

    Dreadful. First frame to last. Stupid, predictable, cliche-ridden script, murky camerawork, hokey over-choreographed ring scenes, and Stallone is a truly crappy actor. Beside these minor drawbacks, it's a great film that foisted a totally mentally-retarded franchise on those folks with a half brain who were unfortunate enough to witness this ongoing exercise in cinematic debasement. Of course, the slobs and goons love this crap, but, consider the source.

  • by

    historyfan

    Sun Dec 21 2008

    Classic underdog flick.  This is the movie that spawned all those sequels and started Sly's Hollywood career.

  • by

    spike65

    Mon Jul 28 2008

    Inspiring story and Stallone's best IMO. My only gripe with the Rocky series and much of Hollywood's portrayals of boxing in general is the amount of punches that the hero takes before finally winning the match. Most people that take a beating like that would be dead or at least brain-dead.

  • by

    djahuti

    Tue Oct 24 2006

    I thought this was a very good movie.Sylvester Stallone really CAN act,(although after this role he was given a bunch of dud roles in abysmal "action" movies),and in Rocky,he was superb.Although I am a fan of Boxing,I'm tired of people who refuse to watch this movie because they "hate that sport"- although the main character was a boxer,this movie was about much more than the Ring.It's about hard work,perseverance,and rooting for the "underdog".It's about a human being giving his ALL to achieve his dreams.It's definately worth seeing if you haven't already.

  • by

    stangg

    Wed Jan 25 2006

    ADRIAN!

  • by

    dragonman

    Tue Dec 13 2005

    One of the best sports movies ever made. This movie almost didn't get made. It was written by at that time and unknown(Sylvester Stallone) and acted by largely a cast of unknowns as well and shot on a very low budget. It was also the first movie to use the steadycam. Yet it won best picture at the 1976 Oscars overcoming all odds..just like Rocky did in the movie. I can totally relate to the character of Rocky, a man so down in life and nobody gives him a chance they look down on him. It's just a movie about overcoming obstacles in life..and even if you don't succeed completely, atleast you went all the way.

  • by

    kingdomcrom

    Fri Nov 18 2005

    rocky 4 might be the best ever.

  • by

    kattwoman

    Sun Jun 12 2005

    ive never been a big rocky fan. i just thought they were not all that interesting.i like sylvester stallone but his movies are watchable just not great

  • by

    dixxjamm

    Tue Nov 09 2004

    It is amazing that this movie fooled so many people into believing that they are watching a realistic and well written and directed movie.I mean, even common sense is slaughtered here.Stallone probably put all his teenage frustrations into this one, and turned it into a hilarious movie.The extra star is for the involuntary humour.Everything is so clichee and boyishly macho that you can't help but wonder what audiences found in this.It is probably an American thing that I don't get,about going forward against any odds, bla, bla,bla,and macho, macho, macho.The dialogue is completely idiotic,and the Rocky's character is completely absurd.The poem in the hospital scene in Rocky II was hilarious.This movie is was probably the main source of inspiration for another crap of the century: Karate Kid 1,2 ,3,4,5.... (and let your imagination run freely).One positive: One of the greatest unvoluntary comedies ever.

  • by

    beatlesfanstev_eo

    Sat Jul 10 2004

    Good but not my favorite sports movie.

  • by

    randyman

    Fri Jul 09 2004

    I'm so glad to see so many positive reviews for Rocky. This is my favorite boxing movie of all time. In January or February of 1976 I was a young boxer training at the Main Street Gym, in Los Angeles, California, when I got a call from my manager/trainer, Mel Epstein, telling me that they were filming a movie about the life of Rocky Marciano at the gym. He asked if I would like to be an extra in the movie. Well, of course I said yes. Well as it turns out, they were not making a Marciano Bio. As the filming got under way, I had a chance to meet Sylvester Stallone, at that time I was not very impressed, since the only other time I had ever seen him was in The Lords of Flatbush. He was not yet the superstar he would later become. Infact he was really an unknown. He was, however a very nice guy. I got a picture with him and I've since had it blown up into an 8 X 10, it's my pride and joy of a long ago time. In case anybody is interested, the scene that I'm in is when Rocky and Mickey are ... Read more

  • by

    kinkykinks

    Tue Apr 13 2004

    it was the best boxing movie ever!

  • by

    phlip_tout

    Thu Jan 01 2004

    The first 2 times I saw this I came out of the theatre shadow boxing (couldn't help it).

  • by

    kolby1973

    Thu Jan 01 2004

    It had been some time since I watched this movie, and in my last review of it I really trashed it. But I guess the years have done something to me, because this time around I really enjoyed it. Slyvester Stallone was so raw and full of talent during this film that you could almost feel it...the only thing I didn't like about this movie was some of the supporting cast..they just were such extreme overactors that it was almost pathetic...but I now own this movie..and I love watching it on rainy afternoons.....good movie !

  • by

    snoopdeloop

    Tue Sep 02 2003

    An amazing film

  • by

    tommy91a

    Thu Jul 10 2003

    I have seen all the rocky films hundreds of times and i still dont get bored watching them it's very hard to say witch rocky is the best many people find the 5th one to be quite crap but that might just be cause there was to many of them i'm sure that if that was the 2nd or 3rd rocky film people wouldnt find it crap. what better story could you ask for but a no name guy to world icon because he went the distance with the champ. when stallone made the film he had got the idea from a Muhammad Ali fight (i cant rember who it was ali fought) but he was inspired because that Ali's apponent was taking so much of a beating and he keep cumming back to fight and avetually knocked the champ down. stallone went home and for three days strait wrote the entier rocky script he even rote the fighting manovers they where going to use. i have heard there's a 6th one comming out i hope it dose aswell as the others.

  • by

    chrissy_c_1888

    Sun Jul 06 2003

    The Rocky series are my favourite films ever for so many reasons, the acting, the fighting and everything else is all brill! The Rocky series also brought hope to "the little guy" in which they never get a chance (or in Rockys case never got a shot at a decent title) My favourite line of the whole film has to be in RockyIV where Apollo(just b4 his fight)says "i feel like i could eat nails, Stallion!" Rocky replies "I'v seen them snails in the garden but i'v never wanted to eat them"Every time i see that clip i always laugh. After watching every film roughly 30times i still dont know my favourite. Thats how good these films are.I heard a rumour that a RockyVI is on the cards in which Rocky steps back into the ring 1 more time but we all no when Rocky says just one more fight he really means just another 20.Hope the rumour is true.ROCKY! ROCKY! ROCKY! ROCKY!

  • by

    johnjessop

    Sat Mar 29 2003

    Best Movies I've ever seen!!!

  • by

    chaotician23

    Fri Oct 04 2002

    Good movie. Established Sylvestor Stallone as a good actor and also presented dramas with a lot better outlook.

  • by

    otis00006

    Fri Apr 26 2002

    All of the Rocky Movies were great, I especially liked the 3 one. The are great.

  • by

    ellajedlicka21

    Thu Jan 31 2002

    Everyone loves the Italian Stallion. It is a great story of how the underdog can rise up and become the champion of the world, even beating Mr. T and the "Russian."

  • by

    molfan

    Tue Aug 28 2001

    this is one of those movies I did not want to see but was glad I did. A young man named Rocky who is a boxer. Is chosen to play against Apollo Creed a professional boxer. I loved the fact that this was a movie about the underdog. Sylvester Stallone was very good as Rocky and he wisely showed the human side of Rocky.With his dertimination to work out to be a good boxer. Hs crush on a woman and his dating her.I found myelf realing caring about this character and rooting for him.a very well done movie.

  • by

    notebbert

    Thu Mar 15 2001

    A simple guy with simple goals but who conquered the world...who couldn't like a movie like that whether it's sports or something else?

  • by

    drag7303om

    Mon Jan 15 2001

    This was a good movie. I like boxing movies and this is my favorite one. I am also a big fan of Sylvester Stallone.

  • by

    ejacks

    Mon Jan 15 2001

    Gotta see it. It is old but very cool.

  • by

    teriyaki

    Mon Jan 15 2001

    Great all time classic. Full of action. It is a bit cheesy to think of Rocky making it, but it gives everyone the feeling of hope for doing and becoming their dreams.

  • by

    puddles

    Wed Jan 10 2001

    Great story of triumph and success. Even more amazing that Stallone wrote the screenplay. The best boxing movie I have ever seen.

  • by

    mucosa

    Wed Jan 10 2001

    This is one of my favorite movies. I loved the storyline. The fighting is also good. This movie really shaped American culture with the catch phrase "Yo Adrian", and the tough guy image of Rocky.

  • by

    shanee25

    Wed Jan 10 2001

    I still watch Rocky today, so you know it was good when it first came out. Rocky was the best because towards the end he always had style to him.

  • by

    yolka58e

    Sat Dec 16 2000

    It's great because it's about a super underdog who gets a break and takes advantage of it. He also gets the chick he wanted.

  • by

    jfumaro

    Fri Nov 17 2000

    Greatest boxing movie of all time. The script was originally written by Sylvester Stallone. It shows the outstanding triumph of the human spirit. Stallone had to actually train to box, making the movie that much more awesome.

  • by

    hrippah

    Tue Nov 07 2000

    Rocky is a symbol of underpriviledged America rising up from the depths to overcome all odds and be a champion. Although Rocky doesn't win the fight, he truly is the victor. I've seen this movie over twenty times and I still love it.