[.ca] Rocky 25th Anniversary Special Edition (Widescreen)

From Amazon.com:
The only remaining evidence that Sylvester Stallone might have had a respectable career, this 1976 Oscar® winner (for Best Picture, Director, and Editing) is still the quintessential ode to an underdog and one of the best boxing movies ever made. After writing the script about a two-bit boxer who gets a "million-to-one shot" against the world heavyweight champion, Stallone insisted that he star in the title role, and his equally unknown status helped to catapult him (and this rousing film) to overnight success. The story is familiar, but it's handled with such vitality and emotional honesty that you can't help but leap and cheer for Rocky Balboa, the chump-turned-champ who stuns the boxing world with the support of his timid girlfriend Adrian (Talia Shire) and grizzled trainer Gus (Burgess Meredith). Oscar nominations went to all the lead actors (including Burt Young as Adrian's hot-tempered brother), but four sequels could never top the universal appeal of this low-budget crowd pleaser. --Jeff Shannon

Rocky Collectors Edition:
Even if you own the original this new one just for the extras alone is worth having. Mine did not come with a 24 page collectors book which was odd even though it was stated on the item description when you purchase it. Still a great buy!!!

Inspiring:
I sometimes wonder how many people under the age of twenty-five have never taken the time to view this film. I would hope the number is low. This is a movie that can inspire anyone, not just boxers or athletes. This movie is about taking that "one" shot, many of us sometimes get, and doing something with it - really using that chance. Rocky is a film about overcoming what seems to be impossible odds with sheer character; a simple mind does not equal a simple soul, and as Rocky Balboa clearly demonstrates - when you get the shot you've always dreamed of, make it worth every second. Sylvester Stallone did just that - he wrote a novel about getting that one big shot, and it became his one big shot. The actor, director, and producer takes a lot of ridicule from the artsy-fartsy crowd but most of that is just plain jealousy; a forceps delivery left Stallone with a speech impediment, but his brain is just fine. As another reviewer stated recently, if by some chance a person has not seen this film, they need to - it is in a class by itself. See ya next review www.therunnninggirl.com

Before Sly was stupid:
They just don't make 'em like they used to. Sylvester Stallone had to learn that the hard way, after making countless, subpar action movies for twenty years. He went down a spiriling escalator to become a watered-down, Hollywood celebrity. However, that's not what people were saying back in 1976, and rightfully so. "Rocky" is Sly's crowning achievement, and ranks as one of, if not the best, sports movie ever made, and one of the greatest motion pictures of the last three decades. The story is nothing short of compelling. Based loosely on the fifteen-round fight between Chuck Wepner and Muhammad Ali (as the DVD will tell you if you don't know), "Rocky" weaves a perfect storyweb centering around the title character Rocky Balboa (Stallone). One of the most beloved characters in movie history, Rocky is a tough but good-natured man from the mean streets of Philadelphia; a loan shark goon by day, and boxer by night, under the moniker of The Italian Stallion. Despite working two jobs, he's on the brink of bumhood, and has no luck impressing his belligerent boxing trainer Mickey (played magnificently by Burgess Meredith) nor impressing the local pet shop girl Adrian (Talia Shire). However, when World Heavyweight Champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) gives him a shot at the title for the Bicentennial Match to be held in Philadelphia, it gives Rocky a glimmer of hope, to rise above the odds and go the distance. The story alone is incredibly gripping, but so is the acting. Stallone is in top form as The Italian Stallion. Immensely likable, melancholy, and incredibly human, the Rocky of this movie sadly disappears as the sequels go on. Burt Young also does a great job as disgruntled butcher Paulie, who is jealous of Rocky's offer at redemption. And who can forget the training montage? No one. "Gonna Fly Now" is a classic, through and through. Overall, owe it to yourself to at least RENT "Rocky". If you haven't seen any of them, start with this one, because its sequels cannot hold a candle to it. It's a gritty, rousing, realistic, touching collage of romance, comedy, drama, allegory, action, and sports. Watch it ASAP. MOVIE-10/10 DVD EXTRAS-5/10

"Its all about pride,reputation,and not being another bum in the neighborhood":
INTRO:A Struggling boxer from Philadelphia who doesn`t seem to be going anywhere,Rocky Balboa gets a once in a lifetime shot at the World Heavyweight Championship,when champ Apollo Creed offer him a shot a the title.For Rocky its a chance for a nobody to become someone and he`s going to make the most out of his chance."Rocky" was nominated for ten awards and won the Best Movie Oscar in 1976,its easy to see why,the first Rocky is a true dedicated underdog story. At the time an unknown actor Sylvester Stallone wrote "Rocky" and wanted to play the lead role at all costs.With "Rocky" in 1976,as the main character of the movie Stallone was catapulted trought succes and nearly everything he did afterwards reached certain succes.It was his "Make-It or Break-It" movie. STORYLINE:After Rocky gets offered a chance at Appolo Creed`s title he realizes he has to make the most of it as he never did anything in his carreer and his is his big shot at it.and trains real hard with a retired boxer and trainer Mickey that he will meet along the way.Other additions includes Adrian for whom Rocky has feelings and a strong relationship willl grow out of these two and her brother Paulie.Rocky will need all the support and help he can have against Creed in this charming underdog story. Yet Rocky is not just "some boxing movie" its more than that,its really a story with romance,love and feelings and passion,that after all those years is still enjoyable and great to watch.There aren`t much movies out there who could be compared to this,and those who make movies could take a lesson from "Rocky". What`s so great about the Rocky series is Rocky`s character.He`s just this classy,old-school guy who does his things and makes a few jokes and knows everybody,really a lovable character who really has a heart and a soul,not like some of those uninspired actors in movies and on television.He`s just a good guy trying to make a living. CONCLUSION:"Rocky" is a classic,after more than 30 years it still is remembered by many and 5 sequels came after this one but none of them could truly have the sincerity of the original or be as good.Highly recommended to anyone!

"Cut me, Mick. . .":
All of us love to pull for the underdog, especially if the dog's odds are seemingly insurmountable. Of all the thrilling, inspiring, "feel good" underdog movies out there, ROCKY rates as one of the best. The movie that put Sylvester Stallone on the celebrity map (unfortunately), ROCKY still entertains some three decades after its initial, Academy Award-winning run. We all know the story: Rocky Balboa, an undisciplined club brawler and strong-arm collection man from the slums of Philadelphia, gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot at boxing's heavyweight title. Yet the upcoming fight is merely the trimming surrounding the story; ROCKY is about a humble man with a heart of gold--a man who confronts his shortcomings and insecurities to evolve into a remarkable human being. To assist him on his journey, Rocky develops a timid relationship with an equally insecure girl, a pet shop worker named Adrian (played wonderfully by Talia Shire). To see the two of them together on their first date is one of the film's most entertaining, bittersweet moments; Rocky's small talk is hilarious yet mundane--Adrian looks terrified, yet finally begins to relax, to come out of her shell. Once two lost souls, Rocky and Adrian become indispensable to one another; their growing love transcends the pending fight--the exciting showdown. The fight itself is cinematic brilliance: a thrilling, totally believable match that will have the viewer cheering from his chair. Carl Weathers looks, moves, talks, and fights like an egotistical heavyweight champ, while Burgess Meredith captures one of film's most memorable roles as Mickey, Rocky's gnarled, battle-tested trainer. Few movies universally touch a collective nerve that has the viewer spontaneously smiling while wiping a tear from the eye. ROCKY is one of them. --D. Mikels