“Ah come on, Adrian, it’s true. I was nobody. But that don’t matter either, you know? ‘Cause I was thinkin’, it really don’t matter if I lose this fight. It really don’t matter if this guy opens my head, either. ‘Cause all I wanna do is go the distance. Nobody’s ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I’m still standin’, I’m gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren’t just another bum from the neighborhood.” -Rocky
Rocky Balboa is a small time boxer, part time enforcer of a small time loanshark, man of the street: what many would call a bum. But he’s also all heart.
His entire existance was about to be thunderstruck. He loses his locker at the local gym. He works up the nerve to go out with his friend Paulie’s sister, Adrian, who he has fancied for some time. And heavy weight boxing champion Apollo Creed wants to fight him in an exhibition match for the U.S.’s bicentennial for a shot at the title.
Its an emotional journey for ol’ Rock as his relationship blossoms, acquaintances become friends, dynamics are reevaluated, and loyalties are tested all while he undergoes intense training for the big day.
So much so, Apollo doesn’t understand it really is becoming a “monster movie” as he had joked. The Champ is in for the fight of his career as Rocky is the only man who goes the distance with him.
‘Rocky’ was written by Sylvester Stallone when he could find any decent roles for himself. The story and character aren’t just near and dear to him, they are a part of his very being. It was a story about growth, believing in yourself, and testing your limits while having a realistic perspective of yourself. Note: this is not a “boxing movie”, its a movie about a boxer. And honestly, if you skip through most of the last fight, it surprisingly come off like a chickflick!
The entire cast is amazing with their multifaceted characters! Talia Shire plays the timid but supportive Adrian. Burt Young is the rude, crude, insecure Paulie. Burgess Meredith as the quick-witted, snarky father figure Micky. And Carl Weather’s fun and cocky Apollo Creed really sells a different side of the world Rocky’s Philadelphia occupies.
So don’t be like my brother who “doesn’t like sports movies” or my D-Bag friend who “skipped to the good part (the match)” (they’re all good parts, ya D-Bag), watch this movie!
Texan, y’all! Cinema glutton, horror enthusiast, sci-fi nerd, comic lover, and I like Japanese stuff too (the culture, kaiju, martial arts, samurai, some anime). Love me some Mario, Sonic, and Pokemon.