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The controls take a bit of getting used to, but that's only because there are so many different types of punches that you can throw at your opponent. No worries though, the GameCube controller is up to the task. The game offers some serious audio/visuals. Each fighter (including our hero) is modeled to near perfection with super smooth textures and realistic shading. The various boxing venues are equally impressive with clean and colorful ringside accoutrements. The fans in the stands look way cool and they even throw bottles and other nasties into the ring when the action slows down. Overall, the sound effects do a nice job of capturing the monumental task at hand - which, of course, is to pulverize your opponent. You'll hear the familiar Rocky theme bellow out from the rafters, setting the tone before each fight. If you haven't yet seen at least one or two of the Rocky movies, I strongly urge you to do so. It's not a prerequisite for enjoying the game, but I think it'll help. Alas, there's not enough room here to tell ya about everything this game has to offer, like the slew of unlockable fighters waiting in their dressing rooms, for example.
The overall effect is very proto- Criss Angel: Mindfreak. (Jesus, have you seen Criss Angel together with Robert Tepper and Robbie Nevil? What have I just uncovered? Why are there black helicopters over my house right now? ) Still, the slight break in his voice at 2:45 is pure cheese-rock realness and it gets me every time. 4. "No Competition, " MC Tab (from Rocky V) This is pure 1990. That either appeals to you or it doesn't. I love it. Hard to pick a favorite lyric, but "I'm not Arsenio Hall, but I'm the main event" is in the running. I miss 1990. 3. "I Wanna Rock, " Rob Base (from Rocky V) I need to find this on vinyl, and then I need two turntables, and then I need to learn how to DJ and start my DJ career in unpopular time slots in unfashionable clubs and build a name for myself and impress the right people and slowly develop a reputation and a business, to the point where there's that one big party for that big movie premiere, and the superstar DJ is stuck in traffic, and I'm the only guy who can step in at the last minute -- and then I need to pull this out and make the crowd go wild, because it is a BANGER.
Critics Consensus This story of a down-on-his-luck boxer is thoroughly predictable, but Sylvester Stallone's script and stunning performance in the title role brush aside complaints. 94% TOMATOMETER Total Count: 65 69% Audience Score User Ratings: 33, 403, 994 Rocky Ratings & Reviews Explanation Show all services Rocky Videos Photos Movie Info Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), a small-time boxer from working-class Philadelphia, is arbitrarily chosen to take on the reigning world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), when the undefeated fighter's scheduled opponent is injured. While training with feisty former bantamweight contender Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith), Rocky tentatively begins a relationship with Adrian (Talia Shire), the wallflower sister of his meat-packer pal Paulie (Burt Young). Rating: PG Genre: drama Original Language: English Director: Producer: Release Date (Theaters): Dec 1, 1976 wide Release Date (Streaming): Oct 31, 2015 Runtime: 1h 59m Production Co: United Artists Sound Mix: Mono View the collection: Cast & Crew News & Interviews for Rocky Critic Reviews for Rocky Audience Reviews for Rocky Rocky Quotes Movie & TV guides
2. "Gonna Fly Now, " Bill Conti (from Rocky) The iconic Rocky music, as stirring as ever: aggressive horn section, '70s cop drama guitar... and then there are the lyrics, which if you type them out and look at them are ridiculous: Trying hard now. It's so hard now. Trying hard now. Getting strong now. Won't be long now. Gonna fly now. Flying high now. Gonna fly, fly, fly. Bill, you really needn't have bothered. Still, put this in your ears on a long run, and you will feel a fresh wind at your back. 1. "Eye of the Tiger, " Survivor (from Rocky III) The sine qua non of inspirational sports-movie jams, from a band whose lead singer dressed like a guardian angel. You will still hear this in a CrossFit gym more often than you will not. My favorite lyric: "So many times, it happens too fast/You trade your passion for glory. " Does it, though? Is that really a thing that happens so many times too fast? To whom? "Eye" is of course the best of the bunch, an enduring classic of the form. But the version that's even better is the one from the original cast recording of the Rocky Broadway musical.
You've been working out to a show tune this whole time, and in your heart you knew it. Sign up here for our daily Thrillist email, and get your fix of the best in food/drink/fun. Dave Holmes is a writer and television personality in Los Angeles, CA. He rose to prominence as an amateur boxer on the mean streets of Philadelphia and has achieved glory five or six times since then. You can follow him on Twitter at @daveholmes.