The Rocky Collection 

 

In 1976 Sylvester Stallone wrote a script for a boxing film called Rocky after he saw a fight in which Mohammed Ali was given a surprise when he fought an unknown fighter named Chuck Wepner. Everyone expected to be an easy for fight for Ali, but that wasn't the case. Ali was knocked down in a fight that lasted 15 rounds. Stallone sold the rights to make the film with the condition that he be cast in the title role. Producers offered him a lot of money if he would let someone else play the role, be he refused. The studio finally agreed to let him star in the film if could be done for a million dollars. John G. Avilsen was hired to direct and with Stallone brought us a film that went onto become a huge smash and hit a chord with critics and audiences alike. Rocky later went onto win Oscars for best picture and director.

 

After Rocky Stallone became a hot property and used his leverage to write, direct, star and even sing main song to Paradise Alley. The film didn't do too well, nor did his next film, F.I.S.T. So Stallone made another Rocky film - most people thought to themselves, why?  Stallone this time took the director's chair and did the unthinkable; he made a film that was just as good as the original and added more to the character, instead of rehashing him.

 

Three more sequels of varying quality followed. After watching all the films back to back, one thing that is quite interesting to see is how Rocky's simple minded persona changed into a GQ cover man in the later sequels! Seeing Rocky fight Mr. T, a mad Russian and professional boxer Tommy Morrison were mindless fun and offered entertainment, but no real substance.

 

VIDEO---All films presented in this set are presented widescreen (1.85.1). The original Rocky, Rocky III and Rocky IV are anamorphic, while Rocky II and IV are recycled non-anamorphic transfers from their previous DVD releases in 97.  Rocky looks very good, but it's somewhat disappointing as the print has some wear in the form of specs that pop up from time to time and grain. Color is very strong, but black level is more of a light gray than black.   Rocky II is also a bit of a letdown as the there is a quite a bit of dirt on the print and grain is thick. Colors are good, but nowhere as good as Rocky. A full frame version is also included on the flipside of the disc. Rocky III - Colors are very strong and like the other Rocky films this one has a lot of grain. However, the print is in good shape and it's anamorphic, which adds a lot of detail.  Rocky IV - The print used here is in good shape as colors are good, but unfortunately has some edge enhancement as well as some digital artifacts. Like Rocky II, a full frame version is included on the flipside of the disc.  Rocky V - Of all of the discs in this set, Rocky V is the best as it was the most recent. It has a crisp look and nice color reproduction. All the previous DVDs had a problem with grain - while this movie has some slight grain it's not as bad.

AUDIO---Rocky is has a new Dolby Digital 5.1 as well as the original mono track. The 5.1 sounds very good, but it's really a mono track that sometimes contains a little kick. The music and dialogue sound clear. 

Rocky II has a mono track, which delivers clean dialogue, but offers no real power.

Rocky III has a new 5.1 track, which has some nice bass action with clean dialogue, but you'll need to keep your remote handy as the the sound is uneven in terms of volume.

Rocky IV  has a 5.1 track as well. Dialog comes though nice and clean with great use of surrounds.

Rocky V has a Dolby Digital Surround track. Rocky V has the best video quality and also the best audio quality as it's the most recent film. It has clean dialogue with nice use of surround and bass action. 

EXTRAS--- The discs with the except of the original Rocky are almost complete devoid of extras. All discs have trailers, but that's about it. Rocky has has a new audio commentary with John G. Avildsen, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers Burt Young, cameraman Garrett Brown and producers Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler. All were recorded separately and edited into a coherent track with no lapses. The result is a very informative track.  Next up is a video commentary with Stallone in which he talks of his love for the Rocky character and how by a near miracle Rocky came together during a chance encounter.  Next is a some silent 8 mm test footage of Stallone and Carl Weathers rehearing for the final showdown. Director John G. Avildsen introduces the footage and talks how filming them practice saved a lot of time and money.  Finally there are a pair of nice tributes to Burgess Meredith and Rocky's cinematographer, James Crabe. Stallone, Burt Young, Carl Weathers and Lee Grant talk about his craft and remember him. The Tribute to James Crabe, runs around three minutes and it's mostly Avilsen talking about his good friend who help make the film a success.

OVERALL--- The Rocky Collection is a mixed bag. I feel that MGM should given more care to the sequels in the video and extras, instead of repacking old masters.  I do recommend the first disc as it has a new anamorphic transfer with a nice amount of extras, but the rest of the set is disappointing.  

OVERALL

3/5

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