Movie #14: Rocky

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Rocky


Date Watched: 07/17/24

Format: Streaming on TV via Prime Video

The sports franchise that started as a love story.

Directing (⭐⭐⭐⭐):

Avildsen really stepped up his game in 1976 with Rocky.  I don't know if anyone envisioned the film being made was going to turn into the franchise that is still going strong today.  This was a love story, set in Philadelphia, that happened to have some boxing.  

Writing (⭐⭐⭐):

If anything were to be taken away from this movie it would be the writing.  I wanted to hold the some of the poor dialogue against someone, so I will give credit to Stallone the actor, but take away credit for Stallone the writer.  You have a turtle.  I get it already.

Acting (⭐⭐⭐⭐):

What Stallone wrote for himself worked out.  I don't think anyone else could have pulled off that character.  Shire was a great compliment to Rocky with her iconic Adrian.  Pauly is Mickey, although iconic themselves, were just too much.  

Wildcard (⭐⭐⭐⭐):

The test of time.  A lot of Best Picture winners withstand the test of time by themselves.  There are really a lot of classics on the list.  Rocky, however, created an entire character that has lived throughout the years, across multiple films and storylines.  Godfather aside, not many other films were able to do that.

Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda:

Sooo though.  I really am fine with Rocky winning, but what a class of runner-ups in 1976.  Network, Taxi Driver, All the President's Men, and even Carrie.  Any one of them could have taken it.

Ranking:

1) Forrest Gump (Movie #5) 20⭐

2) Gladiator (Movie #11) 17⭐

3) Gone with the Wind (Movie #1) 17⭐

4) On the Waterfront (Movie #3) 16⭐

5) Rocky (Movie #14) 15⭐

6) Moonlight (Movie #9) 14⭐

7) Amadeus (Movie #4) 13⭐

8) Shakespeare in Love (Movie #2) 13⭐

9) Rain Man (Movie #7) 12⭐

10) The Bridge on the River Kwai (Movie #12) 12⭐

11) The Apartment (Movie #10) 11⭐

12) The Last Emperor (Movie #13) 11⭐

13) Wings (Movie #6) 10⭐

14) Midnight Cowboy (Movie #8) 9⭐

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