Parents' Guide to

Rocky

Movie PG 1976 119 minutes
Rocky Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

By Nell Minow , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 11+

Boxing Best Picture sets underdog-hero standard; drinking.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 11+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 11+

Based on 23 parent reviews

age 16+

Sexual violence scene easily misinterpreted by young people

As mentioned in other reviews, there is a very problematic scene between Adrian and Rocky. They are in his apartment and she says several times that she's uncomfortable and wants to leave. He corners her and kisses her, and she finally succumbs to desire. This is meant to show how Rocky is a great guy who overcomes a timid girl's resistance. But, as my husband (who is a criminal law professor) said, Rocky's behaviour constitutes sexual assault under the law. The scene was obviously written by a man who does not understand the power dynamics between men and women. Boys who watch this and emulate this behaviour can get into a lot of trouble, and girls may also absorb dangerous messages from this scene. A child watching it this movie needs someone to explain to them that Rocky's behaviour is not acceptable, and that women would not react the way that Adrian does in this movie. Her reaction to his kiss is a fabrication that perpetuates dangerous myths about women. As another reviewer said, we need to teach our boys that no means no. This movie does the opposite. Please beware.
age 13+

Lots of inappropiate things. Domestic and sexual violence. Not for 11 years old.

We're usually on the permisive side and let our 11 years old kid see movies rated for 12 years old. But in this movie there are several things that we think are better suited for 13 years old minds. They say whore several times, talk about girls that are whores if they are in the street with young men. 12 years old teenagers are drinking in the street, there's a lot of swearing too. But for me the worst part is the violence against women that is displayed in several scenes, in different degrees: not only verbal but also with violence, and not only from Rocky's friend but also from Rocky that forces her in several negative ways: not letting her leaving his appartment when she tries to, and somewhat forcing her be kissed by him: all behaviors that have been proven to be sexual violence. With a 13 years old, that knows more about sex and about sexual behaviour and what can a cannot be accepted is possible to explain the innapropiate behaviours they are seeing, and can better understand what is going on. The movie is also very slow for 11 years old with the boxing action just at the beggining (5 minutes) and at end of the film (15 minutes). Our kid was absolutely bored.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (23 ):
Kids say (92 ):

This satisfying, classic boxing movie offers some decent messages. Rocky is realistic about his goal. He does not need to win. He just needs to acquit himself with dignity, to show that he is in the same league as the champion. In order to achieve that goal, he will risk giving everything he has, risk even the small pride of an unbroken nose. He develops enough self-respect to risk public disgrace. This is a big issue for teens -- adolescence has been characterized as the years in which everything centers around the prayer, "God, don't let me be embarrassed today." Rocky begins as someone afraid to give his best in case it is not good enough, and becomes someone who suspects that his best is enough to achieve his goals, and is willing to test himself to find out.

It's worth taking a look at Creed as well. Like the hare in the Aesop fable, he underestimates his opponent. He is so sure of himself, and so busy working on the business side of the fight that he comes to the fight unprepared.

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