Rocky

Dieser Film über den amerikanischen Traum wurde nicht effektvoll gedreht. Es war nicht sein Zeil, dem Publikum um jeden Preis zu gefallen. Umso natürlicher, glaubhafter und intensiver wirkt er. Der Beginn einer Legende im kleinen Rahmen, die noch nicht ahnt, wie ihre Zukunft aussehen wird. Die reinste Filmdefinition der (nicht nur schauspielerischen) Persönlichkeit von Sylvester Stallone. (18.11.2009)

Rocky habe ich immer gemocht und jedes Mal, wenn ich ihn sehe, staune ich. Ich werde mich wohl immer wieder darüber wundern, wie natürlich der ganze Film wirkt, dass er kein einziges Klischee braucht und wie sympathisch sein Hauptheld ist. Und das Beste ist, dass er all das Sylvester Stallone, dem Schauspieler, dem Drehbuchautor und Choreografen der Kämpfe, zu verdanken hat. Das Boxen interessiert mich üblicherweise nicht – nur wenn sich hinter dem Klopfen vom Fleisch eine interessante Geschichte versteckt. Rocky hat (so wie Wie ein wilder Stier oder Die Hölle ist in mir) so eine Geschichte. (30.12.2015)

Miracles happen sometimes. The boxer Rocky lasted all rounds undefeated in his fight with the heavyweight champion of the world, and this B-movie, from which nobody expected anything, went for the highest standard and received two major Oscars. And a third miracle on top of that: the until then unknown Sly Stallone received two Oscar nominations, including the script, full of great dialogue, which he wrote in three days. Sly lived the American dream and rose to stardom. (11.05.2003)

The naive story of the great American dream coming true is not Rocky's main issue. On the contrary, despite its simplicity, it is very believable. The problem lies in the overall execution, starting with the somewhat lacking writing skills of Sylvester Stallone and continuing through the direction to the acting performances. The first half is absolutely (!) unnecessary, the attempt to delve into the psychology of the characters is wasted due to the lack of directorial innovation, and boredom is inevitable, leading to yawning. In the second half, the plot and pace pick up towards a more promising potential, which, however, is again squandered due to the constant repetition of lines about a little insignificant man who was offered a life-changing opportunity (it only needed to be said once!). The final match doesn't surprise in any way, not only with its outcome but also with the dry impression of the used form. I would like to nostalgically close my eyes, but for some reason, I just can't do it. (05.12.2005)

The years and Stallone’s reputation may have made Rocky a legend among sport dramas, but as someone who doesn’t like the genre, I have to say that it’s just a run-of-the-mill movie. It’s well made, yes, but also ordinary, and even uninteresting. I don’t feel at all like watching the entire saga. (27.05.2010)