Do you believe America is the land of opportunity? Apollo Creed does.

[Jet Beetle]

The Writers Guild asked a group of writers to name what they consider to be a "perfect" movie -- I have a few, but if there were a screenplay I wish my name were on, it's Rocky. I watched it again with my son (who had never seen it), and even though there were some moments where he was drifting - he would snap back during the scenes that everyone remembers. By the time we got to the fight between Apollo and Rocky - you couldn't pull the kid away. We ended up watching part 2 after (his request) and he wants to dive into 3 and 4 this weekend. It's funny because I went through the same thing with my wife when I met her. She'd never seen any of the Rocky films - so I sat her down and we blew through them in one weekend - She kept the poster in her apartment all the way through college. Here'a a great trailer for the first one - I'm going to go through youtube and see if I can find more scenes from the other installments. We so need more movies like this.

YouTube - Rocky (1976) - Theatrical Trailer - © United Artists

 

[nickytea]

Great series.
Rocky II is one of the best sequels ever, I'd reckon.
I even dig the most recent one. (And find myself wishing Indy 4 had taken a similar route, rather than ignore that the hero is aging.)

 

[Westies14]

I think that Rocky Balboa is the second best in the series! The first and last are actually the only two we own on Blu-Ray, and as Paul said for his wife, Julie loves them, too. The first one is one of those near-perfect films for me, and the last - which I thought was preposterous until I saw it - not only sold me on its premise of getting elderly Rocky in the ring (both his personal motivation/loss of Adrian and the mechanism of the ESPN fight simulation and the champ's PR issues) but the fight and ending make me tear up every time.

 

[jcoffman99]

I tend to look at I and II as one film split in two. Rocky Balboa was fantastic. The speech he gives his son on the street gets me every time.

 

[DARTH ANIBAL]

Agreed. Although, I think there are lot of people out there who still think it's just some dumb boxing movie. It really is a great film.

Was that Stallone's first shot writing, or had he done anything else?

 

[firesprite]

Rocky is a much more subtle movie than a lot of people give it credit for. It's not just about two guys trying to beat each other's heads in. It's beautifully written and performed and has a real undertone of romance for the ladies as well.

I was also shocked to discover that I really enjoyed the most recent film as well. I was among the many who rolled their eyes when it was announced, assuming it to be just a vanity project by a guy whose career was on life support, at best. However, it was handled very well and it was bittersweet watching what had become of Rocky as he aged.

 

[Jet Beetle]

Agreed - Rocky Balboa was truly a feat. No one wanted him to make that movie and no one wanted to back it., the fact that he did it and made some money is a rocky tale in itself. 2 and 3 are both fantastic - Four is good but it did suffer from being dated, only recently are people starting to enjoy it again.

This is the best scene from part 5 - when he's getting pummeled and he flashes back to Mickey.
YouTube - Rocky V - Rocky remembers Mickey

 

[Wes R]

I never really was into the franchise that much but I do like the last one. Too bad his last rambo movie didn't use the same formula.

 

[JoMamma_Smurf]

This is the best scene in rocky V in my opinion. Gets me every time. YouTube -

 

[Jet Beetle]

This is the best scene in rocky V in my opinion. Gets me every time. YouTube -

I like that scene too, but the problem with it is those two characters were nowhere near that close when Rocky was still fighting Apollo. No way were they like this during part 1. In part 2 Mickey was more protective but the relationship hadn't really gotten to the "I love you" stage until Rocky 3 - If they had just pulled that scene back just a little - it would probably be my favorite as well.

 

[jcoffman99]

I refuse to acknowledge there is a Rocky V. It's terrible. Oh wait, did I just acknowledge it by saying I didn't acknowledge it? Darn. Same thing goes for Superman IV.

 

[MooCriket]

1 & 2 are by far my fav's but I have found something to enjoy in each one. I love the story. I love the fact that he is such an under dog, not very bright...but is full of heart and uses that heart to overcome enormous odds to have such a positive impact on so many.

Yo Rocky!

 

[Ghost Host]

Oh man, I love those movies. The first 2 especially. I even like Rocky 3, but could not stomach any past that. I walked out on #4...

 

[Jet Beetle]

WOAH! Check out this alternate fight scene for Rocky V -- MUCH BETTER than what was used.

YouTube - Rocky V Alternate Fight

 

[Jedi-72]

Oh my god! That alternate ending is actually watchable and dare I say...pretty good. The theatrical ending was horrible. HUGE difference. Wonder why they favored the other one.