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 Review by: Jack Hunt
“From a million to one shot.”
“From a million to one shot.” Words could never explain what this movie means to me, but that’s not going to stop me from trying. I remember when I was a kid, I never understood the first Rocky, was too obsessed with III and IV. It happened when I was about 11 and I went to see V in the theater. I’ve never been to a movie like that before. People were screaming and cheering. They were dancing in the isles and celebrating. The passion of it all, shook the whole damn place. It was then I realized the true power of Stallone's vision. The realization of that only the original would ever really matter.
Rocky is the story of a small-time, struggling boxer from Philadelphia. Rocky Balboa (Stallone) an underdog in every aspect of life and his life is beginning to catch up. He's pushing 30, single and broke. Down on his luck and everyday feels like Sunday. Every minute more another reason. That’s when fate comes calling. The Heavyweight Champion of the World, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) is in need of a gimmick more than a contender. That’s when he decides to pick an unknown, “The Italian Stallone” Rocky Balboa. “It’s the chance of a lifetime… You can’t let it pass you bye.”
What more can I say about this film that hasn’t been said in the 32 years since its release. Is it a great film? Absolutely. I’m going to go a different route with my review, by dissecting my favorite and what I consider the defining scenes of the picture. What better place to start than the opening scene, when Rocky comes home after the Chapel fight. He turns on his record player and goes for a beer, but it's empty, like everything else in his life. Talks to his turtles and his fish. Why? Because the Rock is lonely. Goes to the mirror and practices a joke for his love. Looks at a picture of himself and realizes he's wasting his life. It's more than beautiful or real. Another scene that blows me away is when Mickey (Meredith) goes over to Stallone’s apartment in an attempt to try and convince him that he needs a manager. After the touching plea given by the Mick, Rocky gets upset and tries to hide in his bathroom. Mickey decides that he has failed and starts to leave the apartment, only to remember that he forgot his hat. Thinking that Mickey has already left, Rocky reappears to find Mickey still there. The look on Stallone's face is priceless. I heard it wasn't in the script or directed. One of those things that just happen.
I’ve always felt that the chemistry between Rocky and Adrian (Shire) helps to define the picture. Sticking with the theme, two dramatic scenes in particular. I’ll call them; The Fight and the Kiss. The Fight, reference is not in terms of the big fight, but one of the several little ones that occur. The first being when Rocky is invited over to Paulie’s (Young) for Thanksgiving dinner, which leads to Rocky and Adrian’s first date. Paulie, in his own special way, is trying to encourage his painfully shy sister, Adrian, to go out on date with Rocky. She resists, of course, and runs to hide in her bedroom. Rocky pursues and ends up talking to her through the door. When she finally emerges, she stops and looks at herself in the mirror. Like Rocky, a mirror check as if to say, what am I doing to myself? The Kiss, refers to the more obvious. A tender and eloquent scene, that Shire and Stallone have noted is the moment that defines the relationship between the characters. Rocky advances and Adrian retreats. Until there is a moment where she can no longer stand it and finally gives in to her fears. In my choice of select scenes, I feel I’ve left out too many. I’d like to analyze every moment, but I can’t give away the magic of the entire film.
I started this review with a personal story and I’d like to finish on the same note.
Rocky to me is so many things. I had to beg my girlfriend to see it. She said she doesn't like boxing. I was crushed that someone could think that Rocky is only about boxing. To me it was never that. It's about a guy, much like you or me. Who just wants a chance to prove that he’s worth something. He just wants a chance to go the distance. Now, of course the film is based on boxing with the successes the big fight might bring. Yes, this movie revolves around, but is not about boxing. I’ve seen it countless times and still feel all the emotion. I love this movie. I actually had the chance to shake Stallone’s hand once. In Philadelphia, when the Rocky Statue was moved to the base of the steps of the Art Museum in 2006. In that brief moment, I told him that Rocky changed my life. He just smiled and turned away.
Movie Score: 10/10
Presentation
Rocky hits Blu-ray on a 1.85:1 widescreen 1080p: MPEG-2 transfer. With the original source lacking in every sense, MGM chose to use the latest DVD as material for the Blu-ray transfer. Why? I’ll never know. The transfer suffers from a soft and somewhat grainy picture, with some dirt (but not a lot) carried over. It severely lacks any definitive high definition feel. Some scenes scream with color, while others lack. The problem is, the exterior scenes are impressive while interior shots are not. With that said, this is a definite upgrade over the DVD. The transfer is very clean, if not crisp considering the source. Any missing pixels are resolved and the picture, over-all benefits from the Blu-ray treatment.
Presentation Score: 5/10
Extras
Rocky makes its Blu-ray debut in a barebones release. Sadly, no extras or features are included. This can only mean one thing for fans, another double dip. Rocky is destined to be re-released on Blu-ray. Hopefully, next time MGM will deliver the knock-out blow.
Extras Score: 0/10
In conclusion
Shot in 28 days on a limited $1 million dollar budget, Stallone would attempt to make history with an A-list cast, in the roles they were born to play. With a heartfelt storyline and a classic music score by Bill Conti, Stallone not only succeeded creating a 3 time Oscar winning film, but became just the third person to be nominated for both acting and writing in the same year. Joining the likes of Charles Chaplin and Orson Welles. This Blu-ray release of Rocky is a solid transfer that leaves much to be desired. I know it’s hard for fans of the film too stay away, but I recommend it with caution. Don’t expect much more than the same great film with a cleaned up picture.
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