Rocky 1976

Gene Siskel, Chicago Tribune: Sylvester Stallone [is] as likable as a basset hound. Read more

Vincent Canby, New York Times: The screenplay of Rocky is purest Hollywood make-believe of the 1930's, but there would be nothing wrong with that, had the film been executed with any verve. Read more

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader: I wanted to like it more than I did, but it'll do. Read more

Arthur Knight, Hollywood Reporter: In addition to a heart-warming script, Stallone has created on the screen a character of enormous appeal and charm - half-articulate but funny, gruff but good-hearted. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: The basic storyline has been done to death over the years; this is still one of the most effective and successful applications of the formula. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: A description of it would sound like a cliche from beginning to end. But Rocky isn't about a story, it's about a hero. And it's inhabited with supreme confidence by a star. Read more

Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine: The story is achingly familiar, and though Stallone has a certain power, he is certainly not the subtlest actor to crawl out from under Marlon's overcoat. Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: Rocky is an old-fashioned fairytale brilliantly revamped to chime in with the depressed mood of the '70s. Read more

A.D. Murphy, Variety: There are occasional flashes that the film may be patronizing the lower end of the blue-collar mentality, as much if not more than the characters who keep putting Rocky down on the screen. However, Avildsen is noted for creating such ambiguities. Read more