Although I’m not one to like boxing, I really enjoyed this film! It has a great cast, a surprisingly good story, and many qualities that prove it deserves to be on the AFI Top 100 list. The focus of the film is not only on boxing, but also on Rocky’s life outside of the sport he loves. The cinematography and music are the best production elements of this film and are what made it stand out.
The cinematography is exceptional because several different shots were used that revealed that there was more to the characters than meets the eye. Long shots and extreme long shots are used a lot when Rocky is on the streets of Philadelphia, whether he’s running, walking, talking to a friend, etc. They show that Rocky is on a long journey and he has a goal that he is trying to achieve. He leaves the past behind and works towards a brighter future for himself when he decides to work hard to beat Apollo Creed in the New Year’s Day fight. The fact that the long shots and extreme long shots are used over and over again show the length of his journey and how he works hard to get to a better point in his life.
There are many impressive shots in this film, but one that sticks out the most is the medium close-up of Mickey on the staircase in Rocky’s apartment building as he is leaving Rocky’s apartment. He looks up at Rocky’s front door as Rocky yells at him. The light hits Mickey’s body perfectly and we see the pained look on his face, as if he feels sorry for Rocky. The shot is beautifully composed and moves the audience to feel the same feelings as Mickey is in that moment.
A very important part of this film is its music. We have all heard Rocky theme song, “Gonna Fly Now”, whether is has been at a sporting event or elsewhere. This song encompasses how Rocky is feeling about the fight after he has trained for a long time for it. He is confident, ready, and “on top of the world”, as illustrated by him running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This song makes this movie timeless.