gemgil

I thought this was the most uplifting of all the Rocky films.

Rocky IV is a close second.

After displaying to the world his ability to box, Rocky decides to hang up the gloves and move on. He marries his love Adrian and begins creating their own life together.

Sadly with this comes a cost. Rocky can't find anything lucrative enough to help support Adrian and himself. This aspect of Stallone's writing is reflective to what he went through after his debut and it hits home with force. It's very frustrating to try and start over again and expect to have a different outcome from the previous one. In a way, all this does is remind Rocky of what he's good at - fighting. It's a development that Rocky goes through that makes it all the worth while.

And when Talia is in the hospital, you're almost crying. THEN the big trigger.

Another part of Rocky's development lies in him becoming a little more civilized. People complain he can't read, so he decides to read more often. It's a nice little addition to show that although Rocky is different, he's listening for suggestions to help make himself a better person. As Stallone's second film as director, it shows that he took careful time to make sure that the arc Rocky goes through is eye opening. The supporting cast from the original return as well.

What a movie! This is it. This is the pinnacle of old-style, non-think, glamorous, suspenseful entertainment.

*Probable SPOILERS* - the missile actually comes, but it's already advertised as such so no spoiler.

By far the best disaster movie ever made with a terrific, diverse cast. Not to be missed.

The entire cast is brilliant and totally believable. This film is an instant classic, watch it now.

You will weep and laugh. Very well-made and actually quite stunning...

This movie always leaves me in tears. It's perfect. The end could not be better. I'm excited for The Phantom Menace because it will suddenly throw the focus of the whole story from Luke to Anakin. I love how he is revealed at the end - it would be too unresolved any other way. So those of you who are complaining that Vader's helmet was removed, take a moment to think about it. It's very effective. Vader, the man who hid behind a mask for 20 years, is finally revealed as a sick-looking man. He is not entirely machine - he's vulnerable.

I don't know how the casting director happened to pick such good actors in A New Hope. They all do so well. They are believable characters. Hamill does an excellent job with his dramatic character development. Fisher does a fine job being a female role model (I mean, come on! She killed Jabba even when so many others had failed!). Harrison Ford - need I say more?

The music is once again brilliant. It's so very touching and significant when you can pick out character themes at different parts of the movie. The best climax is when Luke shouts "NOOO!" and jumps out to fight his father in the Final Battle. John Williams is nothing short of a genius! What an amazing man!

Already, the movie has so much more meaning for me because of Episode I. I can't wait to finally see it in the theatres (CAN I WAIT???) and then watch the original trilogy yet again.

Bravo!