Rocky I, the best and only Rocky.
When trying to sleep, I found myself reflecting on Stephen's comments on Rocky again. I know that it is all in good humor and it is an inside joke which is established on the longstanding "tradition" that it is one of the few movies that we will never agree on.
But, I have to write it one more shining review, because as I last heard Steve has still yet to see it, despite the venomous words he uses to describe it. I wish he would, since I really do believe that it is a wonderful story. Also, since Iris hasn't seen Rocky I either, I hope to convey (with my limited eloquence) how and why this movie means so much to me.
*spoiler alert for those of you who would care*
Plot Synopsis:
This is a story about somebody who is unsure about the direction their life is heading. It doesn't matter who you are, if you haven't felt this way you are probably lying. You could be a student like me who is going into engineering, or a medical doctor nearing the of his career; no matter what, there are options you have to choose and you are forced to wonder whether you made the right ones. Lonely Rocky Balboa lives in the slums of Philadelphia, gets by as an "enforcer" for a loan shark, lending his large figure as an intimidation tool for collection. Kind at heart, he doesn't enjoy his job, it doesn't make him many friends (other than the mean mannered Paulie at the meat factory), but he figures it is a way to get by whenever the man in the car hands him a wad of cash.
This unstable equilibrium however becomes agitated when reigning World Champion Boxer Apollo Creed (btw, a name rivaled in coolness only by "Optimus Prime") picks Rocky as his challenger for the belt. Apollo chose Rocky because he appealed to the base of the crowd in Philly, a native son dubbed the "Italian Stallion" from his earlier days.
Suddenly Rocky needs help, this opportunity for a childhood dream isn't one to be missed. Paulie was the first to help, sneaking Rocky into the meat factory so he could "tenderize" the beef. But shear bashing power wouldn't be enough, Rocky has to reach out to his old coach Mickey, who despises him for his choice of career. After reforging his bond with his alienated coach, Rocky is emboldened to ask out the mild mannered Adrianne, Paulie's sister, rescuing her from an abusive relationship with her brother.
As the trains for the fight in the few months given for him, he becomes a small bit of a local sensation. The people in his community that remembers his kindness and good personality cheer him on and even the loan shark is interested in seeing his old employee kick some world class ass.
The night before the fight, Rocky confides in Adrianne. Telling her that, he winning the fight was important to him, but that... he would be just as happy losing, because suddenly his life was brighter now. He took chances in his relationships with others, reuniting him with his old coach, winning him his love of his life and brought him goodwill from the community that he was once alienated from.
The moral of the story is that titles, fame, money and power is fine and all. But a man who is kind and good hearted is one that can be happy without having those things all the time, given that he has the courage to pursue the rewarding things in life he really wants.
All this and an awesome soundtrack that whose power is only reduced when used repeatedly in the sequels. :-\
P.S.
HOW CAN THAT BE A BAD MOVIE!?
But, I have to write it one more shining review, because as I last heard Steve has still yet to see it, despite the venomous words he uses to describe it. I wish he would, since I really do believe that it is a wonderful story. Also, since Iris hasn't seen Rocky I either, I hope to convey (with my limited eloquence) how and why this movie means so much to me.
*spoiler alert for those of you who would care*
Plot Synopsis:
This is a story about somebody who is unsure about the direction their life is heading. It doesn't matter who you are, if you haven't felt this way you are probably lying. You could be a student like me who is going into engineering, or a medical doctor nearing the of his career; no matter what, there are options you have to choose and you are forced to wonder whether you made the right ones. Lonely Rocky Balboa lives in the slums of Philadelphia, gets by as an "enforcer" for a loan shark, lending his large figure as an intimidation tool for collection. Kind at heart, he doesn't enjoy his job, it doesn't make him many friends (other than the mean mannered Paulie at the meat factory), but he figures it is a way to get by whenever the man in the car hands him a wad of cash.
This unstable equilibrium however becomes agitated when reigning World Champion Boxer Apollo Creed (btw, a name rivaled in coolness only by "Optimus Prime") picks Rocky as his challenger for the belt. Apollo chose Rocky because he appealed to the base of the crowd in Philly, a native son dubbed the "Italian Stallion" from his earlier days.
Suddenly Rocky needs help, this opportunity for a childhood dream isn't one to be missed. Paulie was the first to help, sneaking Rocky into the meat factory so he could "tenderize" the beef. But shear bashing power wouldn't be enough, Rocky has to reach out to his old coach Mickey, who despises him for his choice of career. After reforging his bond with his alienated coach, Rocky is emboldened to ask out the mild mannered Adrianne, Paulie's sister, rescuing her from an abusive relationship with her brother.
As the trains for the fight in the few months given for him, he becomes a small bit of a local sensation. The people in his community that remembers his kindness and good personality cheer him on and even the loan shark is interested in seeing his old employee kick some world class ass.
The night before the fight, Rocky confides in Adrianne. Telling her that, he winning the fight was important to him, but that... he would be just as happy losing, because suddenly his life was brighter now. He took chances in his relationships with others, reuniting him with his old coach, winning him his love of his life and brought him goodwill from the community that he was once alienated from.
The moral of the story is that titles, fame, money and power is fine and all. But a man who is kind and good hearted is one that can be happy without having those things all the time, given that he has the courage to pursue the rewarding things in life he really wants.
All this and an awesome soundtrack that whose power is only reduced when used repeatedly in the sequels. :-\
P.S.
HOW CAN THAT BE A BAD MOVIE!?