This series of films is the obvious pinnacle of Stallone's career. In Rocky Balboa he created an everyman character we can all relate to. In the first film, he's a no-hoper who is given a once in a lifetime bout against the Heavyweight Champion of the World, Apollo Creed. To that end, inspired by the love of pet-shop counter worker Adrian, he goes the distance and shocks the world. Yes, the films got more 'over the top' as he took down Thunderlips (The Ultimate Male), Mr T and Ivan Drago but, more than any other films in his career, these movies are for warmth and entertainment. We cheer and support Rocky through each trial and tribulation, even those of his own making. Again, the part has become so indelibly linked with Stallone that many think they are one in the same but a Best Actor Nomination and films such as Copland put paid to an intelligent movie-maker who knows what he's doing. Each film takes a different premise, the fear of loss in Rocky III to the revenge style drama of Rocky IV, but every film allows the characters to grow. We see Adrian become a strong woman in the face of Paulie's descent into spiteful old age. Through it all, Rocky is the heart which keeps everyone going. Even Rocky V, the weakest of the series, has a strong end with a street-fight and the announcement that Rocky, 'loves almost everybody'. It's easy to disregard Stallone and his films. Again, he's not trying to be a Scorsese or a Tarantino. He's making films that will entertain us. What I love though is that, through entertaining us, he can still ask some very big questions which can really make us think. The fact that he's underrated perhaps is a good thing because, like Rocky, he knows, 'it ain't how hard you hit but how hard you get hit and keep moving forward. Keep moving forward'. Do you think Stallone receives more than his fair share of criticism? Share your opinions in the comments thread below.
