I am not American.

I really dislike boxing.

I generally speaking loathe melo-drama.

I respect Stallone, but when he 'acts' he looks like a St. Bernard's dog trying to convey emotions.

I am not a fan of sports films.

I have every reason to hate this film. But I don't. I absolutely love it.

Sometimes simplicity is key to telling the best stories and this film understands that like no other. It is almost impossible to not be swept away and taken along for the ride.

This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

This is only my 3rd time watching this from start to finish and the best viewing yet. Rocky proves himself a real working man's hero and reveals so much heart, it hurts. Sly is way too good. The ending gets me every time, hard.

This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

First film of No Rewatch November!

Damn!!!! I'm tired!! So I started this film at 8:00 this morning and just finished it now (It's 10:28 pm). I was so inspired by the underdog epicness of this film that every 20 minutes I had to stop the film, go for an hour and a half run, then do 150 one handed pushups. Stallone looks bad ass in sweaters!.......One of these statments are true.

My new rating policy for my reviews of all movies:
★★★★★ Rocky
★★★★ ½ Apollo
★★★★ Clubber Lang
★★★ ½ Ivan Drago
★★★ Tommy Gunn
★★½ Paulie
★★ Spider Rico
★½ Mason Dixon
★ ThunderLips
½ You put my stuff on Skid Row?

Great to finally watch this classic underdog tale the full way through. A fantastic performance by Sylvester Stallone and I know I'll be re-watching this movie in the future (along with parts 2-5, which I have never seen the full way through). One slight criticism is that I was a little disappointed there wasn't more build up of Apollo Creed before the fight - wish we got more of him. Still though, an overall enjoyable movie. Music and montage are fantastic.

Classic underdog story.

"You're gonna eat lightning, and you're gonna crap thunder."

So much better than all the rest.

A wonderful boxing movie. A man triumphing over himself and his situation is always entertaining to watch.

Classic

More than a mere "boxing movie", Rocky is a terrific character exploration. Rocky’s development, and the development of his relationships with other characters, are brought about by the upcoming match with Apollo. But it’s that development that is always the focus of the film, not the match itself. Rocky is not merely a good “sports movie”. It’s a good movie, period, and worthy of its Oscar nominations and wins. The film, as with its protagonist, went the distance. Read full review.

LEGENDARY MONTAGE.

One of the great sports films ever as a club fighter named Rocky Balboa gets a shot at the champ as it features a breakthrough performance from Sylvester Stallone.