Rocky (1976) * * * *

Directed by:  John G. Avildsen

Starring:  Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burgess Meredith, Carl Weathers, Burt Young

Rocky isn't simply a boxing movie.    Rocky Balboa doesn't even expect to win his once-in-a-lifetime shot at the heavyweight title.     He expresses to his girlfriend Adrian in a tender moment that he just wants to go the distance with his opponent, the brash and colorful Apollo Creed.     Creed is certainly modeled after Muhammad Ali, with his showmanship, ego, and mouth on full display here.    Balboa is chosen as Creed's next opponent mostly because of his nickname "The Italian Stallion" and as a publicity stunt.    Creed has no idea of the fight he is in for.

Rocky remains the best in the series which spanned six movies.    Four of the six were good to very good entertainments.   Rocky IV and V were the weakest of the series, but they do have their moments.    As the series progressed, Rocky Balboa went from proud, flawed, and wounded pug to a superhero who could absorb untold amounts of punishment and still win in the end.    He also became smarter somehow, until at least Rocky V.   Rocky Balboa was never meant to be superhero.    He works better in Rocky as a loner who falls in love with Adrian, a shy local girl (Shire) and pals around with meat factory worker Paulie (Young).     Rocky isn't super articulate, but he's smart and is able to explain things in a manner that makes sense to him.    When asked why he loves Adrian, he replies, "I have gaps, she has gaps.  We fill gaps."    He knows what he needs to know. 

Rocky is full of characters teeming with life and humanity.    Rocky's trainer, Mickey (Meredith), is an old former boxer who never sniffed the opportunity that fell into Rocky's lap.    Adrian is shy, wounded, always taking care of her brother Paulie, but in a wonderful scene she finally stands up to Paulie and redefines their relationship.    Paulie is an angry loser who thinks the world owes him a living, but fully supports his friend.    Another interesting character is Duke, Apollo Creed's manager (Tony Evers), who makes it known in a few sentences that choosing Rocky as an opponent may not have been wise.    "He doesn't think it's a show.   He thinks it's a damn fight."   

The film takes place in the cold, desolate South Philly winter.    Rocky trains for his title shot on the city's deserted streets at ungodly early morning hours.    I love that Rocky is populated with such authentic flavor.    It is more interested in its characters, although the celebrated fight generates tremendous suspense.     Rocky goes out to fight and leaves Adrian in the locker room, thinking he will be returning shortly.    But as round after round progresses, there are cutaways to Adrian sitting patiently for her man.     She has no idea what is happening in the ring, but just knows that Rocky hasn't come back yet.     The fight is brutal, long, bloody, and becomes a test of will for both fighters.     It's baffling how they can stand such brutality, but after the final bell, Rocky reunites with Adrian in the ring and hugs her.    The triumphant music plays not because Rocky wins (he doesn't), but because he reached his goal and was able to share it with the one he loves.     That's enough for him and us.