Rocky

By: Jack Hunt, 6/28/09

The Movie Itself:
“From a million to one shot.” Few films have truly entered American film goers’ psyche as Rocky. I remember when I was a kid I never understood the first Rocky, was too fixated on III and IV. I didn’t come to realize until I was about 11 and went to see ‘Rocky V’ in the theater. It wasn’t so much the film itself that reached me, but the reaction of the crowd to it. People were cheering, celebrating and dancing in the aisles. The passion of it all is something I had yet to witness from only the power of a film. Explicitly, it shook the whole damn place. It was then I became conscious of the true power of Stallone's vision. The realization of that only the original would ever really matter.

‘Rocky’ is the story of a struggling, small-time boxer from Philadelphia. Rocky Balboa (Stallone) an underdog in every aspect of life and life is beginning to catch up to him. He's pushing 30, single and broke. Down on his luck and everyday feels like Sunday. Nothing much to live for at all and every minute more another reason. Rocky never had much luck when it comes to being. Never living up to his potential in the boxing ring, turning to collecting payments for a loan sharking to barely make ends-meat to survive. Existing just for the sake of existing and going at it alone, he falls for Adrian (Shire) a shy and guarded pet store employee who hardly gives him the time of day to share a joke or a smile. Can there ever be a way of the mean streets of Philadelphia for the kind and gentle soul. 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 pass it by.”

What more can I say about this film that hasn’t been said in the 30 plus years since its release. Is it a great film that can touch one on many levels? Absolutely. I’m going to go a different route with this 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 from the Chapel fight. He turns on his record player and goes for a beer, but it's empty, like everything else in his life. He talks to his turtles and fish. Why, because the Rock is lonely. Goes to the mirror and practices a joke for his love. In the corner of the mirror he catches a faded picture of his youth gone by and the realization that he's wasting his life. It's a scene I consider more than just beautiful or real. Another that comes to mind is one that involves his trainer Mickey (Meredith). After his title shot opportunity has been made known, he goes over to Rocky’s rundown apartment, in an attempt to try to convince him that he needs a manager.

After a particularly touching plea given by Mickey, Rocky gets upset and tries to hide from the ensuing conversation in his bathroom. Deciding that he had failed in his attempts, Mickey starts to leave the apartment, only to remember that he forgot his hat. Rocky emerges thinking that Mickey has already left and is shocked to find him still there. The look on Rocky’s face is one of relief followed by distress. I read it wasn't in the script or even directed; one of those magically things on a picture that just happen.

I’ve always felt that the chemistry between Stallone and Shire helped to define the picture. Both turned out performances that truly leave audiences with a unique and tender onscreen love affair. Sticking with the pervious review theme and with two dramatic scenes in particular, ones I’ll call - the fight and the kiss. The Fight reference is not in terms of the final scene in the big title fight, but one of the several little fights that occur throughout. The first being when Rocky is invited over to Paulie’s (Young) for Thanksgiving dinner, which eventually 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 of course resists at first and attempts to hide from the embarrassment by running into her bedroom. Rocky pursues and ends up talking to her through the door, in a charming attempt to persuade her to go out with him. 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 and isn’t it about time I learned to live. The kiss reference refers to the more obvious. A loving and eloquent scene, which Stallone and Shire have noted is the moment that defines the relationship between the characters. As 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 few and 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.

A detailed character study, with a talented cast that never lacks; Sylvester Stallone as the aspiring lead, Talia Shire as a women coming into her own, Burt Young as the repressed drunkard, the great Burgess Meredith as the angry manager, Carl Weathers as the champion showman and even Sly’s friend Joe Spinell as the super cool loan shark. It’s truly hard to imagine Rocky without this perfect cast and with director John G. Avildsen talent firing on all cylinders. Loosely derived from the Muhammad Ali - Chuck Wepner 1975 title bout, a fight in which no one expected the basically unknown challenger in Wepner to stand a chance against the furious champion in Ali. Wepner shocked the world with his display of heart and courage in the ring. No matter how many times Ali knocked him down; he would not give up and ended up knocking Ali down once and lasting 15 rounds of brutal punishment. So touched was Stallone by Wepner’s performance in the fight, that it inspired him to write the screenplay for Rocky. $106 dollars in his bank account, with a roofless house and the clock ticking, Stallone pushed for a starring role in the film that would go on to make him legend. He held out long enough to convince producers and United Artists film studio to take a chance on the unknown actor, who was very much like the character he envisioned. On a side note I’ve never been a fan of Muhammad Ali. Although there is little doubt that Ali was one of the greatest boxers to ever step into the ring, his draft dodging fiasco of Vietnam War continues to spoil his greatness in my mind. Heart and courage. Two things that remains synonymous with America’s veterans.

Rocky to me is so many things. I had to beg my wife to see it, but she said she doesn't like boxing. I was crushed to think that someone could think that Rocky is just 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 Philadelphia Museum of Art in 2006. In that brief moment, I told him how Rocky changed my life. He just smiled and turned away.
Rating: 10/10

The Presentation:
Rocky hits Blu-ray with a 1080p ~ MPEG-2 transfer, resulting in lackluster presentation that sometimes shines, but more often falls flat. Having seen the film countless times on every format and in consideration of the source quality, careful evaluation of the Blu-ray disc reveals that the transfer offers basically a cleaned up picture with only minor High Definition elements displayed throughout the film.

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 retains the original theatrical intent, with little over-all grain, but suffers from a soft and somewhat grainy picture. Some dirt is carried over, but relatively few specs are noticeable and improved clarity and sharpness is offered. In terms of severity, dirt is minor. While some scenes scream with color, others lack and remain dull, lifeless and lacking any true pop. Skin tones are natural and fresh. Exterior scenes are impressive at times, interiors to a lesser degree. With that said, the Blu-ray disc is a definite upgrade over the latest DVD. Fans of the film will appreciate the very clean, if not crisp picture. Clarity benefits and a fine sharpness can be seen throughout. Any missing pixels are resolved and the picture is noticeable improved. Repeat viewing will lend a better insight to the detail and effect of the transfer.

The re-mastered DTS-HD Lossless 5.1 soundtrack is an improvement over the film’s original 2.0 Mono track, which is also included on the Blu-ray disc. Over-all the disc offers an enhanced sound, with clear dialogue. Although rear surrounds are hardly engaged, I really can’t complain in terms of effect on the picture. Bill Conti’s classic soundtrack is quite an achievement all by itself and the action scenes reflect the improved track as well.
Rating: 6/10( 5/10- video, 7/10- audio)

The Extras:
Rocky debuts on Blu-ray in a barebones release with no special features included. This can only mean one thing for diehard Rocky fans, another double dip. Rocky is destined to be re-released on Blu-ray. Hopefully, next time MGM will deliver the knock-out blow.
Rating: 0/10

Overall:
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 in creating a 3 time Oscar winning film, but became just the third person to be Oscar nominated for both acting and writing in the same year; joining the likes of Charles Chaplin and Orson Welles. The Blu-ray release of Rocky is a fair enough 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.
Rating: 6/10