By Russell Wildermuth

Rocky Balboa is unarguably the most respectable boxing character in the entire world, despite being a figure of ones imagination, of course. Sylvester Stallone plays the role of an underdog brawler that gets his shot at boxing championship gold. His only chance against the defending champion is the iron heart that has driven his life up to this opportunity. Without this emotional drive, Rocky would be severely outmatched against his more seasoned opponent. Can he do it? You bet he can, and you can watch every moment of it with the five disc Rocky Box Set.

For those of you who are ignorant to the Rocky legend, you are missing a story that has touched the hearts of many Americans. It is a pure tale of a man backed into a corner who has the determination to fight his way out. There are things far less satisfying than proving every critic wrong that said, “You can’t win!”

The first Rocky debuted and went on to win the 1976 Best Picture Oscar. The audience immediately fell in love with the character. Perhaps all citizens thrived on Rocky’s accomplishment of the american dream.

Adrian (Rocky’s wife) is everything that Rocky needed to keep his heart strong when everything was looking downhill. Some may argue that Adrian had it just as rough as Rocky did-dating a boxer certainly cannot be that easy. As we reach Rocky IV, Rocky’s chances of success seem so slim that even Adrian shouts at Rocky, “You can’t win!” Rocky listens to his heart and decides to lock up with Russia’s Ivan Drago in a bid to avenge the death of his friend/trainer Apollo Creed.

Rocky used many natural training techniques when preparing for each match. In the fourth Rocky, Ivan Drago’s “freakish strength,” is explained by a steroid injection during his training for the big match with Balboa. This injection is a clear and unfair advantage to Rocky, yet he still gives it his best. If only more athletes (unlike the controversial excessive use by some of today’s top baseball players) could stop using muscle enrichment methods, then maybe we could play some fair game occasionally. In a way, these colossal individuals share characteristics with “The Hulk,” who can grow to abnormal sizes in little time with considerably less blood, sweat and tears involved. It can be for this reason alone that one would be proud of a character like Rocky.

The Rocky Box Set spawns a collection of extra footage that fills about half an appetite. Besides original theatrical trailers, all of the extras are compiled onto the first DVD. Some of the extras that we are blessed with include tributes, trailers, Rocky TV spots, behind-the-scenes commentary and a few others. You are even able to toggle video commentary on the “Special Features” screen and decide if you want various individuals to explain small aspects of the film as you are watching. If you are watching the movie for kicks, you will probably want to leave this on its default setting: off.

To those who are interested in becoming part of the Rocky tradition, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is the birthplace of the famous Rocky steps. It was at the very top of these steps that Rocky was introduced to his commemorative statue. The statue was carved as an exact replica of Rocky and served as a symbol of his never ending spirit. The statue is no longer present at the top of the steps; it was replaced with his footprints. Located within minutes of the museum, the statue has been moved to the Wachovia Spectrum arena.

Rocky is not a typical superhero flick with surreal situations, although he does survive under some very complex circumstances. He is a character that both adults and kids can look up to and not feel that anything Rocky accomplished is beyond reach. Overall, this movie is a truly inspirational flick that should live on beyond our generation as an example to all. Even today, almost 30 years after its premiere, a Rocky marathon is playing on TV paying respects for all that Rocky has done in the motivation of our American spirit.

Final Grade: A

This Rocky box set includes all five classic Rocky movies. (Image courtesy www.amazon.com)