i consider myself a movie buff, a movie fan and knowledgable in all things movies. i am sad to say that up until two hours ago i had never seen rocky. i know, sacrilege right? not only had i never seen this film but i have never actually seen a full one of any of them. growing up i have seen parts of ii, iii, iv and even v on tv but never a full one. so now i am watching all seven (creed included) and of course i started with the first. and what a movie. this is stallone unlike you have ever seen him (okay, once or twice he has been like this like in copland) but really this isn't an action hero, rocky is not a lean mean fighting machine here. no, he is a normal everyday italian schlub working to make ends meet and has the opportunity of a lifetime come by when a famous boxer chooses him as an opponent. stallone is truly amazing here. he deserves all the praise and awards he got for this. i never knew he could act so well. i always liked arnold more than sly when it came to action movies (although rambo ii is incredible). but having watched rocky now i am officially stating that stallone is way more talented. he is a better actor, and a writer and a director while arnie is just muscles when it comes down to it. rocky is a prime example of stallone at his best. (arnie will forever be the best 80's action star though.) i knew this movie would be good but i also thought it would be overrated. i thought there was no way that it deserved a best picture win and that stallone deserved a nomination for writing and acting but i was wrong on every count. in 1976 this couldn't of been more original or more well done. everything about it was perfect. the final fight was amazing, the training sequence was iconic, the music is so good that everyone in the western world knows the theme regardless if they have seen this movie or not, the sets and locations and costumes and make-up are amazing and really add a sense of realism to the proceedings. so i've gone from thinking this would be overrated to thinking that this was a virtually perfect picture. the director did a fantastic job and along with the karate kid he has made two films that define a generation, define what a sports drama is and define what an feel good underdog drama can be. i had such a good time with this movie. i can't believe it took 37 years to watch it. i can't wait to watch the rest of them now. i am sure they won't be as good as this one because honestly, what can be, but still i bet at least five of the sequels will be a whole lot of fun. this first rocky film has pretty much put all boxing movies in a corner and other than raging bull it feels like no boxing film could ever compete. it is as good as you have heard, it is better than you have heard, it is that good!! production design: 9 out of 10 cinematography: 9 out of 10 re-playability: 9 out of 10 originality: 10 out of 10 costumes: 10 out of 10 directing: 9 out of 10 editing: 9 out of 10 acting: 9 out of 10 music: 10 out of 10 script: 9 out of 10 93/100