With its full-size boxing ring, giant video screens and techno wizardry, "Rocky" the musical thrilled audiences on Broadway with its rousing finale, but critics said overall it wasn't a knockout.

The musical, which opened on Thursday night, is based on the 1976 film starring Sylvester Stallone that won a best picture Oscar about a struggling boxer in south Philadelphia who falls for a shy, local girl and gets his once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight the reigning champion.

Broadway veteran Andy Karl, who starred in "Jersey Boys" and "Wicked," fills Stallone's shoes as Rocky Balboa and Margo Seibert, in her Broadway debut, is the mousey pet shop employee Adrian who wins his heart.

"Thanks to these fine actors, you root for Rocky, the romantic lug with pet turtles, and Adrian, the girl he coaxes out of her shell," said the New York Daily News.

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