Everybody loves ROCKY!
What is it about Rocky Balboa that is so endearing? He is quiet in his demeanor (except in the boxing ring), somewhat sloppy in his attire, and unpretentious at best. Does he remind us of a cousin, uncle, or other relatives that exude love and comfort? Possibly this is the reason, but there is much more.
My husband and I fell in love with him with the first Rocky movie, starring Sylvester Stallone, decades ag--who could ever forget his impassioned call for Adrian (Talia Shire) after he won the big fight and searched the crowd for the love of his life.
While our children were too young for the first movie in 1976, they soon caught up with the series, Rocky II to V. The family including our son and daughter couldn’t resist the shy, awkward athlete. Our son even portrayed Rocky in a variety show his junior year of high school. Even though he was a little on the skinny side, he did a pretty good imitation.
While our children were too young for the first movie in 1976, they soon caught up with the series, Rocky II to V. The family including our son and daughter couldn’t resist the shy, awkward athlete. Our son even portrayed Rocky in a variety show his junior year of high school. Even though he was a little on the skinny side, he did a pretty good imitation.
The sequels up through Rocky V added to the epic love story as well as the rise to boxing fame and fortune with the rags to riches storyline. Even Adrian’s brother Paulie (Burt Young), who was a little too real, took part in the drive from the unknown to star stature.
Our children would rent the movies and have a Rocky marathon when the mood hit. Thus, continuing the family obsession with this story.
Our children would rent the movies and have a Rocky marathon when the mood hit. Thus, continuing the family obsession with this story.
Somehow, we never tired of the come-back theme even when he had to get in the ring to avenge the death of his enemy turned friend--Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) by a Russian.
On a visit to New York City, we waited to get tickets to a Broadway play late in the day so guess what was available-- Rocky: the Musical, based on the first movie. The play didn’t run very long but we enjoyed it. The audience was made part of the action as the boxing ring moved off the stage into the audience. It only lasted six months but we were glad we got to see it – true Rocky fans.
Several decades passed without a Rocky fix, and then the rise of Creed’s son, played by Michael B. Jordan, as a boxer brought us back to the big screen with Rocky Balboa as a mentor, uncle, dad, coach, or whatever he is considered to be in the first Creed movie.
We really didn’t have much hope that this new movie would rival the old but it absolutely did. The acting, the message, the emotions, all fit into the true Rocky mode of the fan base.
On a visit to New York City, we waited to get tickets to a Broadway play late in the day so guess what was available-- Rocky: the Musical, based on the first movie. The play didn’t run very long but we enjoyed it. The audience was made part of the action as the boxing ring moved off the stage into the audience. It only lasted six months but we were glad we got to see it – true Rocky fans.
Several decades passed without a Rocky fix, and then the rise of Creed’s son, played by Michael B. Jordan, as a boxer brought us back to the big screen with Rocky Balboa as a mentor, uncle, dad, coach, or whatever he is considered to be in the first Creed movie.
We really didn’t have much hope that this new movie would rival the old but it absolutely did. The acting, the message, the emotions, all fit into the true Rocky mode of the fan base.
Creed II came out the end of this year and it did not disappoint even with the return of the Russian and his son. Rocky’s love for his wife is still evident as he named his restaurant for her and he visits the cemetery regularly to talk to her, even taking a folding chair to sit and ponder the latest events in his life.
Rocky makes an attempt at the end of the movie to reconnect with his son who is played by none other than the actor Milo Ventimiglia, who stars in the TV hit series, “This Is Us.” Milo had played the part of the son in earlier movies, and Stallone had made a cameo appearance in Milo’s series.
That gave me hope for another sequel with the son taking a bigger role. Who knows!
While I know some people may consider Rocky frivolous and unimportant, there is something about the whole saga that whets the appetite for this type of story. The fight scenes can be a little bloody and disturbing, but the human angle draws the viewer into a life story that should be celebrated. It may seem somewhat simplistic and maudlin to some but not to others.
The plot pretty much remains the same with the underdog coming to the surface, but who doesn’t love that storyline!!
Rocky makes an attempt at the end of the movie to reconnect with his son who is played by none other than the actor Milo Ventimiglia, who stars in the TV hit series, “This Is Us.” Milo had played the part of the son in earlier movies, and Stallone had made a cameo appearance in Milo’s series.
That gave me hope for another sequel with the son taking a bigger role. Who knows!
While I know some people may consider Rocky frivolous and unimportant, there is something about the whole saga that whets the appetite for this type of story. The fight scenes can be a little bloody and disturbing, but the human angle draws the viewer into a life story that should be celebrated. It may seem somewhat simplistic and maudlin to some but not to others.
The plot pretty much remains the same with the underdog coming to the surface, but who doesn’t love that storyline!!
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