Plot: What’s it about?
There’s a lot that can be said for a movie like Rocky. First of all it beat out movies like Taxi Driver and Network for Best Picture. Second, it introduced us to a man known as Sylvester Stallone. Though Stallone had been in some movies before this (Paradise Alley, Death Race 2000) his career didn’t really take off until this movie came out. Not only did Stallone star in this film, but he wrote the screenplay as well. Nowadays it isn’t uncommon for stars to write and star (Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Edward Burns…), but twenty five years ago it was quite the feat. He had to fight (no pun intended) just to get the part, but in the end, it turns out that Stallone and Rocky are both synonymous with success. While Rocky and it’s sequels have gone onto make tons of money, it’s the first that is usually the best of the bunch and while the original doesn’t have, in action, what the rest do, it more than makes up for in the story. Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is a tough guy working for a local thug. More of a “knuckle breaker” than a hit man, he gets money for people who owe it, but has too much compassion to ever follow through on the deal. A washed up boxer, he is good, but his potential goes unused. Living in the lower rent part of Philadelphia, he makes a living, but not a very good one. His trainer, Mick (Burges Meredith) wants nothing to do with him and Rocky’s only only outlet comes from fixed fights where he gets pummeled and walks away with $40 or $50 cash. Not the ideal life.
Rocky continually tries to hit on Adrian (Talia Shire). Adrian is an employee at a pet store that he frequents, and is the supposed object of his affection. Adrian’s sister, Pauly (Burt Young) is a deadbeat loser who manages to hold down a job in a meat factory (site of one of the film’s most famous scenes, Rocky punching the meat and breaking the ribs of the beer). An alcoholic and borderline abuser, Pauly is shown not only in this film, but the series, to be nothing but a bum. Aside from all of this, it’s the bicentennial year (1976 for you non-Americans). Philadelphia is, naturally, the hot spot of all the hoopla surrounding the celebration, and Heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) is wanting to throw the fight of the century. More businessman than fighter, though he is the best, Apollo’s partner can’t make the fight, so after an exhausting list of options he comes up with the idea to give an unknown Philadelphian a shot at the title. “What could be more American than that?” Apollo reasons. Rocky is better-known as The Italian Stallion, and Apollo eats this up as it’s the Italians (Columbus) who discovered America. It just can’t get any better. Though a bit slow, Rocky realizes that he has the chance of a lifetime and starts to train for this fight of the century. We’re all familiar with him running up the steps of Independence Hall, hands in the air to the tune of “the Rocky theme”, but it’s this movie that gave Stallone the chance to do this role. For the three people out there who haven’t seen this movie and are most likely more familiar with it’s sequels, this is the one to see. It got Best Picture for a reason.
While the rest of the movies in this series tend to concentrate on the action (Part II on the rematch, Part III on Mr. T, Part IV on the Russians and Part V on his son) this concentrates on the relationship between Rocky and himself. For a movie about boxing, there is only about 20-30 minutes of actual boxing in the movie. It’s more of a struggle for Rocky to come to terms with what he is about to face and whether or not he can bring himself to face the challenge of his life. Mick, his trainer, who has all but abandoned him, comes to when he finds out that Rocky will be a major commodity and most likely earn him a lot of money. Rocky’s only support is himself and Adrian, but add all the elements together and you have one of the most enduring screen legends of all time. Right up there with Superman, Jurassic Park and E.T.-Rocky is a movie that you won’t want to miss and the treatment given to the DVD (this time around) is more than worth the price of admission. Highly recommended.
Video: How does it look?
This is the second version of Rocky on DVD. The first was also one of the first on the format and boy…did it need some work. Unlike the original, this one has t the benefit of a brand new 16:9 transfer. While not perfect, this version is significantly better than it’s bare bones counterpart. Rokcy, being filmed in a darker vision, does have plenty of opportunities to let it’s flaws show. Artifacting is acceptable, but again better than it’s predecessor. Black levels are on the level and I saw just a tinge of edge enhancement. But aside from all of that, some scenes do have a better look to them. Take the ending fight between Rocky and Apollo. Some of those shots are so crisp and clear that you can see the beads of sweat on their bodies. While Rocky certainly isn’t reference quality, it’s so much better to have a new anamorphic transfer. Between the two versions, I’d say this one is a unanamous winner over the previous one in terms of video quality.
Audio: How does it sound?
The audio for the new Rocky disc is the same Dolby Digital 5.1 track that was used for the earlier verison. In what has been a nice use of sound, MGM has also included the original mono track as well (this wasn’t included on the first version). Paramount is the only other studio that does this and boy do I like it. For the most part, the 5.1 track is a mono soundtrack as well. Only during about three scenes does it take advantage of the channels. Most noticeably when Rocky starts to train “Getting stong now…” the audio blares out of the rear channels and it sounds quite good as it’s instrumental and that’s easy to replace and remix. The dialogue is a bit muddled at times, but Rocky’s a mumbler (aka ‘Low Talker’). An occasional hiss can be heard, but aside from all these negative comments, Rocky doesn’t sound that bad.
Supplements: What are the extras?
What’s best about Rocky: Special Edition is the fact that there is now a full-length commentary track with Director John Avildsen, the Producers and Burt Young and Talia Shire (Pauly and Adrian respectively). The track is set up a bit weird, but it tends to flow towards the middle of the movie. They seem to have a great deal of respect for the movie and it shows in the commentary. Sylvester Stallone, who wrote the screenplay, would have been ideal to participate in the commentary but he does his own little 30 minute thing. Speaking of which…Stallone’s video commentary is a bit short, maybe MGM couldn’t afford to pay him for the whole shabang. He talks to the camera and tells of his struggle to get the movie made and produced, but I would have liked him to lay down another commentary track instead. After all…we see his mug the entire movie, do we really need another 20+ minutes? Still, it’s a nice feature to have. Also included is a ten minute featurette with Director John Avildsen who has some cool “home movies” and a little tribute to Mick (the late Burgess Meredith) and some trailers for Rocky and other movies in the series. Also included is a theatrical trailer in mono sound. Overall, it’s a lot better than it’s predecessor, but still leaves us wanting more. MGM has done a wonderful job with the first disc, now if we can get them to redo parts II and IV, then you’ll have a box set worth buying. Still, this one is available seperately, so pick this up at all costs.
