Rocky Anthology (DVD)

Back in 2001 MGM released the Rocky series as a box set for the first time on DVD, now in 2004 they have gone a slightly different route with the collection releasing it once again, only this time they have not included any Special Features, instead they have upped the audio and video quality to an amazing high-definition presentation.

The story of Rocky Balboa is not exactly a story that is virgin to many of us. The story of the underdog boxer that got the chance of a lifetime, met his goals and got the girl has grown into the story of a legend who captured the hearts and souls of everyone that saw him, that is until he came back to us for a fifth time.

But then again, let's not dwell on that fifth film and talk about the four masterpieces that preceded it. I, personally, can watch Rocky I-IV over and over again and now that I have a collection sitting here with high-definition transfers and 5.1 surround sound on movies II-V and an DTS track on the original Best Picture winning Rocky I think I will be watching these movies for a long time to come.

On top of the five films and their brilliant appearance this box set does give viewers one small special feature, the A&E Biography special on Sylvester Stallone and his rough, or "rocky," road to fame. While it is fun to see it is not a deal breaker on whether or not to buy this set.

For me, special features are never the end all say all when it comes to purchasing a DVD. While some special features can sway me to buy a Collector's Edition instead of the normal release when it comes to box sets, it just doesn't matter as much, especially when so much care is taken to bringing the actual movies to a whole new life.

While this Rocky box set may not have the glitz and glam of special features the first release did, it is still a worthy purchase, plus I have a feeling it is acting as a barometer to see if MGM just might get to work on the much rumored Rocky VI.