Synopsis:
An semi-professional boxer gets his big break in an exhibition fight for the World Title against Apollo Creed. Whilst training for the fight he looks to woo his best friends sister Adrian.
As you can probably
tell, me and my house mates are going through a fad of in-ring
fighting films at the moment. First warrior, now Rocky. Not quite
sure how long it will last so we will have to see how many more I get
around. I'm dying to see Mr. T in Rocky 3 so expect to see that one
soon! But where would I be without first watching the classic which
is Rocky. Obviously it's best to watch them in order so I get an idea
of what's going on by the time I get to the third instalment. However, I've got to say thank goodness I didn't have to rely on the dialogue
to get an idea of what was going on in the film. Now, I'll of course
try and keep this review positive, because on nearly all accounts it
was a great film, but be damned if I'll admit to being able to
understand one sentence that came out of the actors' mouths. At first
I thought it was the quality of the DVD, but all other diegetic sound
seemed to be working fine, if anything, it overwhelmed the dialogue.
But that isn't good news when the accents are so thick and slurred
that it's hard to make out what they're saying regardless. I honestly
thought when I saw spoofs of Sylvester Stallone people were
overacting, but they really, really weren't. If I were you, and if
you want to get the full story and hear everything being said. Watch
this film by yourself with literally no distractions, head phones
plugged in, eyes and ears glued to the TV, because otherwise you're
going to get nothing.
In a way I did enjoy
the speech though, maybe in HaHa kind of way but still. At least from
what I could hear, the actors performances were all very good and the
way they spoke kind of made what they said slightly comical and full
of character. But this film isn't a comedy. Its about a semi-pro
boxer who gets a shot at the big one. A down and outer rising up, a
true underdog story and one of the best. It's narrative may be
simple, but that's what makes it such a classic, instead of meaning,
it is filled with moments. Moments that the media has been
regurgitating and parodying ever since. The wonderfully put together
montages, the ridiculous accents, the music, the way that it takes
itself so seriously! Maybe it's slighted dated but it does seem a
little corny in places, but that could also be my fault for waiting
so long to see it, my head filled with the 118 adverts and Family Guy
jokes. Despite this I still felt comfortable watching it. Deep down
you know it's a classic and truly appreciate what the film makers
were trying to do, make us root for the ultimate underdog.
I am fairly critical
when it comes to the final bout though. I'm not sure what I was
expecting from Rocky, a guy fighting his way to the top? Instead he
was just training for one fight, and I was cool with that, because I
trusted the final fight would be pretty spectacular. At first all the
pieces are there, I was ready for the fight and eager to watch it,
and it started brilliantly. The champ was overconfident and Rocky
has been training like a madman so the first round ended even, good
solid film making. We then slip into the comfort zone of the film
makers and the rest of the bout is delivered in montage form. Which
is fair enough, as fifteen rounds would certainly drag on a bit. Then
the final round comes and is over before it even starts. Total anti
climax. Nothing of note really happens. I'd expected it to at least
be just as long and well put together as first round but no. Meaning
that the most important round of Rocky's life is condensed into an
unmemorable little spat between two very bruised and battered human
beings. I'm sure if I'd have been watching it live it would have been
a great fight, alas, the sudden finish reminded me I was watching a
film and the magic was lost a bit.
Overview:
I'd say this was a
solid film which would probably be better if you can understand what
the characters are saying. It'll also help if you haven't seen too
many spoofs. A decent romanticised rise to the top but let down by a
sloppy final round. Despite this I'll still accept it as a classic,
and just hope that the series only gets better by Rocky 3.
Rating:
★★★
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