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The Rocky Anthology (Ultimate Edition 5 Disc Box Set)


RRP: £49.99
Our Price: £16.75 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Americans love the underdog. Anytime someone is beating the odds, fighting his or her way to the top, like The Little Engine That Could, it resonates well with U.S. audiences; it's in their nature. Sylvester Stallone knew that in 1976, when Rocky was a monstrous hit and established itself in the American cultural lexicon. His low-budget tale of a young boxer who came from the slums of Philadelphia and worked his way to the championship recalls Capra characters such as Mr. Smith or John Doe as he worked his way to fame and self-respect. Like Capra's films from 30 years before, Rocky pushed emotional buttons with audiences, but in a somewhat less maudlin, obvious way; it's possible to enjoy Rocky without feeling embarrassed about it, even in these cynical times. It ranks respectably among the best boxing pictures, such as The Set-Up or Somebody Up There Likes Me. The story paralleled Stallone's own, from a relative unknown to a star with one breakthrough picture. Rocky II (1979) carries on the story line, playing on the rivalry between Rocky Balboa and nemesis Apollo Creed, while Balboa's wife fights for her life. Mainly, though, the sequel seems like a link between the first film and Rocky III, in which an aging Rocky takes on big, bad Clubber Lang (the near-forgotten Mr. T). While playing on the same emotional capital as the first movie, Rocky III is the high-water mark of the sequels; by the next movie, Stallone had turned into a near-self-parody of the original character. Rocky IV finds the underdog taking on an oversized, blond Russian boxer (Dolph Lundgren) in a cold war scenario (Rocky literally wraps himself in the American flag). The series mercifully played out by 1990, as embarrassingly punch-drunk as the Rocky character himself by that point. Given the way the American pop-culture continuum seems to work, it's probably due time for the later sequels to be plucked from the compost heap of '80s flotsam and revived as high camp; the Reagan-era hyperpatriotism of Rocky IV is as dated as in junk like Red Dawn or the dreadful Invasion U.S.A. Still, the first three films pack a satisfying emotional wallop without giving the viewer the urge to crawl under the couch. The last two... well, use your judgment. They will soon be good for an '80s nostalgia party. --Jerry Renshaw, Amazon.com


YO ADRIAN
Review date: 2007-10-26 Rating: 10 out of 10

THIS IS JUST AMAZING. Rocky is such a legend and sylvester stallone plays Rocky so superbly. The first film is the best because thats just life changing, but rocky 2 has the best scene where he is climbing the philadelphia museum steps with thousands of people behind him, Rocky 3 is a great film, Rocky 4 is a bit better than rocky 3 and rocky 5 is another hit. If you want your slice of rocky then go buy this because its in a different class to other films. Sit back grab the popcorn and watch rocky, its life-changing.

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Reviews


Stallone's finest hour
Review date: 2007-05-31 Rating: 10 out of 10

Despite being 26 (nearly 27!), i only actually watched all the ROCKY films for the first time around the beginning of 2006. I was never that bothered when i was younger. Here are my individual opinions: ROCKY (1976)- A classic. Stallone is totally convincing as a down-on-his-luck boxer who gets a once in a life time shot at challenging the heavyweight champion of the world, brilliantly potrayed by Carl Weathers. Stallone wrote the story to and was rewarded with best screenplay oscar, as the film also won best film of 1976.***** ROCKY 2 (1978)- Largely a re-tread of the first film as the re-match between ROCKY and APOLLO CREED looms. Stallone took over as director as well as writer and star for this film and although it retains alot of the originals magic and is still a good film, something just seems to be lacking. Not sure what, though.**** ROCKY 3 (1982)- 4 years on and ROCKY is now the firmly established heavyweight champion of the world. He has it all, 10 successful title defences, a loving wife and son, money, fame and considering retirement. That is until rough, tough, hard-hitting and hard-talking fighter CLUBBER LANG (played gloriously OTT by MR.T) publicly insults and humiliates him and ROCKY is pursuaded back into the ring....... A hugely entaining way to continue the series. **** ROCKY 4 (1985)- After personal disaster for ROCKY, he is again pursuaded back into the ring to fight the huge and ultra tough russian IVAN DRAGO. This for me is the worst of the franchise. Its basically nothing more than a propaganda film about America's efforts against russia in the cold war. Stallone spends most of the film draped (literaly!) in the American flag while DOLPH LUNDGREN (who plays DRAGO) does the same with the soviet flag and the film is littered with constant quips, songs, etc about how much better America is than russia. Check out APOLLO CREED's fight entrance at the beginning of the film and you'll see what i mean! ** ROCKY 5 (1990)- Still beaten and bruised from his fight with DRAGO in ROCKY 4, ROCKY now faces being potentially bankrupt. After being told he can no longer fight anymore, his predicament deepens. He then meets TOMMY GUNN, a young boxer who idolises ROCKY and is desperate for ROCKY to manage him. ROCKY is eventually pursuaded, but more trouble lurks around the corner......... the original ROCKY director John Avildsen, returned to take the directoral reigns from Stallone and while its not a bad film, its hardly a return what made the original so great. *** All in all, not a bad box at all and while the last 2 movies may not be up to the same standard as the first three, the fight scenes are still good and should please any fan of the franchise.

Greatest Movie ever made
Review date: 2007-04-25 Rating: 10 out of 10

As a[...]female, up until about a month ago i didnt understand what all the fuss was about, so what sylvester stallone was going back in the ring as "rocky" as a [...], what the hell was the big deal that surrounded "ROCKY". That was until my best friend and i one hungover sunday decided to watch her dads copy of the rocky trilogy,never fully intending to watch more than the 1st one, and even then just on the premise that sly was only 30 in this one and would supposedly be reasonably fit, and we could drool our way thru an hour or so of mindless viewing and meet sober on the other side, but the story of ROCKY BALBOA is one that everyone loves, and the characters are lovingly brought to life,suffice to say that we ended up not only watching all 5 that sunday afternoon, but embarking on a misson to find a boot leg copy of BALBOA to view also.
I now am firmly a avid sly fan, and owner of not only the rocky trilogy, but rambo 1-3, tango and cash, day light, demolition man, the specialist, and a personal favourite OSCAR.
You dont have to be a boxing fan to appreciate the intense spirit of rocky, watch it once and it will stay in your heart forever.

The Legend
Review date: 2007-04-20 Rating: 10 out of 10

What can I say? Rocky is the legend, if you haven't got this you have to buy this - if you have any interest in boxing or exercise at all. Stallone plays the role so well and although the first three are undoubtably better than the last two but the time you've seen them you'll want the whole set. It essentially charts the rise and downfall of a small time boxer and as an ex-boxer always gets me nostalgic. Buy it.

Great Movies With Great Emotional Drive & Colourful Rememberable Characters
Review date: 2007-03-15 Rating: 10 out of 10

Without a doubt the Rocky movies are a gifted set of films where as soon as you watch the first you find yourself having to sit and watch the sequels as the movies emotional drive makes you want to see them from beginning to end Rocky's legacy and story...

Rocky 1 gives Rocky the one in a million shot and the finding of true love.

Rocky 2 gives Rocky a second chance to prove that the second time he can do it.

Rocky 3 tests the lose Rocky faces and suffers losing the edge and how he learns to get back what he had.

Rocky 4 more about a story of justice and personal anger with another lose in his life.

Rocky 5 takes Rocky back to the beginning where he tries to find his strengths and edge in a new fighter to take his place.

Each movie is emotionally driven but in my opinion what stands out is the colourful, memorable characters in the movies. Sylvester Stallone created and crafted characters each with their own unique personality which I think makes the films highly respected even more.

Being 22 and not much into the sport of Boxing the Rocky films I found greatly enjoyable and wherever or not you like Boxing or not the films emotional story, epic climax and colourful characters make the Rocky set a must buy.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Carl Weathers
Burt Young
Sylvester Stallone
Burgess Meredith
Talia Shire

Creators:
Sylvester Stallone (Primary Contributor)
Talia Shire (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer: MGM Entertainment
EAN: 5035822330016
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2005-11-14
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 532 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)

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