What Makes Rocky Great.

the Underdog rising to the challenge, the old cranky trainer, the training montage, all of that started here in what was basically a low-budget passion project that if it were up to the studio, Stalone wouldn't have even stared in. It has since turned into one of the staples of how to do a sports drama, and is that well deserved? As Rocky would say "Absolutely".

Down on his luck fighter Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) boxes at small gyms and works as a collector for a loan shark. This all changes when Appolo Creed (Carl Weathers) comes to Philadelphia to promote a fight where he will give a randomly selected boxer a shot at the title. Rocky is chosen due to Creed liking his nickname "The Italian Stallion". Rocky begins working with former wash out boxer turned old trainer Mickey Goldmill (Burges Meredith) to prepare. At the same time, Rocky pursues a relationship with his best friend Paulie's (Burt Young) sister Adrain (Talia Shire).

What really is admirable about the film (esspisally when compared to the later Rocky films) is how the film takes it's time to really let you get to know Rocky and his world. We quickly see that Rocky is down on his luck, to say the least, made clear in the lowly gyms he fights in, his job working for a loan shark, and his small one-room apartment. Despite this, Rocky rarely lets it bother him. We rarely see him lash out at himself or others for his situation. This is the first part of what makes Rocky show likable, and that is in his humbleness and humor. his always cracking jokes and walking off the daily insults he receives from others. This also leads to Rocky having a good heart despite his surroundings and occupations. When ordered to break a guy's thump for failing to buy his boss in time, Rocky instead chooses to let the guy off with a warning. I love the excuse he gives his boss for not doing it because breaking his thumb would put him out of work and unable to pay at all. My favorite scene in the movie is when Rocky walks a young girl home and tells her to stop hanging out with the bad crowd, stop smoking, and clean up her language. He gives her a big speech about what will happen to her if she keeps up this way of life, which shows that while Rocky may not have book smarts, he has a lot of life wisdom. Rocky really exposes himself when he takes Adrain on a date for the first time, where he's outgoing, funny nature tries to unmask Adrain's quiet and timid persona. I especially like when Adrian asks why Rocky fights Rocky simply responds with, "Cause I can't sing or dance". When Stallone when to Hollywood with the script, they insisted on casting someone more marketable as Rocky, but Stallone stated that he would not do it unless he stared in it. This was definitely the best decision as Sylvester Stallone as Rocky makes for one of the most enduring film characters of all time, and another actor just wouldn't be able to bring a character that came so natural to Stallone to life.

The other characters also bring the world of Rocky to life. Talia Shire as Adrain in her development throughout the film. She's similar to Rocky in that no one thinks anything of her other than the meek pet store clerk. Rocky is the only one who sees her beyond what others think of her and helps her come out of her shell and stand up for herself. The chemistry between Stallone and Shire is incredibly enduring as I can clearly see how these two characters would realistically fall for each other. Rocky's best friend and Adrain's older brother Paulie is another great character. Like Rocky, Paulie is also living an unfulfilling life, but unlike Rocky, frequently takes it out on both Rocky and Adriane. Despite his antagonistic nature, Paulie reminds a very groundedly and relatable character thanks to a great performance from Burt Young. Despite his flaws, Rocky and Paulie always make up because of their friendship, another realistic aspect of the film portraying how complicated some friendships can be. Then there's of course the highly quotable coach Micky played by one of the all-time greats Burgess Meredith. He is just such a treat whenever he is on screen and his relationship with Rocky is very well done. Appolo Creed is also a good character as he is not a one-dimensional villain some of the other Rocky bad guys. He isn't even a bad guy in the typical sense of giving Rocky a hard time, he just so happens to be the guy Rocky fights. Carl Weathers definitely channels a bit of Muhammad Ali in his performance. He's charismatic and overconfident, but also a smart businessman as opposed to Rocky's low intelligence. The contrast between the two is shown best when in their respective entrances to the ring, Rocky simply comes in when he's called with no gimmicks or anything, but Appolo puts on a big flashy show before he finally comes into the ring.

Another thing that was captured in the film that became lost in the sequels was the blue-collar street ecstatic that Philadelphia that director John G. Aivdlsen captured brilliantly, despite some of the film being shot in LA. Some of the film's most iconic moments just would not have been captured well enough without that version. The sequence of Rocky running up the steps of the Art Museum and him raising his hands in triumph with the backdrop of the city with "Gonna Fly Now" playing in the background still sends chills down my spine. The final scene with Adrain and Rocky embracing also packs an emotional punch, it's one of the greatest movie endings of all time.

Rocky really is a timeless film through and through thanks to its iconic protagonist, great supporting players, and the classic story of the underdog rising up to the challenge.