Rocky - 21st May 2013

Tuesday Night is Film Night takes on a classic tonight, as we travel back to 1976 and take a look at what could be a heavyweight champion of the world of film, or a puny pugilistic poke at the world of boxing, of course it's;

Rocky

Rocky may well be a classic, but it's not been seen in this household. It seems an odd choice to make, when a lot of the TNiFN films are pink and fluffy chick-flicks or rom-com's.

So, why Rocky?

I think the only reason we decided to watch it, is because we visited Philadelphia on our American holiday and actually went to the "Rocky Steps", which is more accurately known as the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We had some pictures taken at the same spot and so decided to check out what the film had to offer.

Poor excuse, but true. So anyway, was the film any good?

Rocky was written by and stars Sylvester Stallone, playing small town boxer; Rocky Balboa. Rocky has boxed for many years and has not made it beyond the small time fights, supplementing his meagre prize money, with wages he receives from debt collecting for a loan shark.

Alongside Stallone we have Burt Young as Paulie Pennino, Balboa's friend. Paulie's sister is Adrian Pennino, played by the lovely Talia Shire. Adrian is the love interest in the film, for Rocky. Finishing off the main characters, we have Burgess Meredith as Mickey, Rocky's trainer and Carl Weathers playing Apollo Creed, the unexpected opponent in the film.

The film follows the story of Rocky, an unknown boxer, who through a stroke of luck, gets to have a crack at a world title, when Apollo Creed, current heavyweight champ, comes to town. The idea being, that Creed defends his title, by taking on a well know opponent. When this deal falls through, they decide upon the outlandish notion, that he takes on a complete unknown, giving them the opportunity to box against a legend. Clearly, Balboa is the complete unknown. America being the "Land of Opportunity" and all that.

That's the basic premise of the film and we all know that Balboa goes from an out of shape, unknown back street boxer and trains up, to take on Creed in the films finale, but in the route to get there, does the film live up to it's legendary status?

We don't think so.

Stallone's dialogue is almost unintelligible throughout the film. In his first outing as Rocky, he seems to be more at home with the meat thumping, than he does talking. His interactions with Adrian are slightly better, but the scenes with Mickey and Paulie seem to be weak and somewhat stale.

In fact the only real saving grace is Talia Shire, as the shy and retiring love interest, who starts the film as a quiet, unattractive, straight laced and demure Adrian. Seeing her blossom as the story  progresses, adds some colour to a very black and white performance from the Italian Stallion; Stallone.

I guess for a film that is nearing 40 years old, it wasn't so bad. Also, I'm sure it would have been good at first viewing, back in the seventies, but with a plethora of sequels, the thin plot seems weakened further, by the passing years.

However, if you like Stallone, and you like a gritty, sweaty, punch up storyline, give it a go. However, I'm not so sure that subsequent Rocky films will make it to the hallowed Tuesday Night is Film Night slot.

Rocky clearly loses on points, scoring a measly 5 out of 10. Better luck next time Rocky!