Very little time is actually spent in the boxing ring and the sweet science is given little or none of the glamour or machismo it would receive in the later films. Most of the film is spent establishing the characters and the Philadelphia backdrop.
#ROCKY BALBOA SPEECH BEFORE GETTING IN RING SERIES#
For a series so often criticised for its formula, I’m always surprised by how little the first outing actually adheres to it. The first Rocky is undoubtedly the best film of the series and still one of the greatest films ever made.
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So really it wasn’t any worse than a Netflix binge-watch. This actually isn’t as strenuous as one might think – leaving aside the fact that every one of the films is at least quite entertaining, Rockys II-VI are never longer than 110 economic minutes. With the release of Creed, I decided it would be just splendid to blitz my way through the ‘Rocky’ franchise in more or less one sitting.
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Why not? This resulted in a great love for an emotional rollercoaster, a drama-soaked, action-packed, schmaltz-stained, redemptive road paved by five films varying from epic to mundane in literal and metaphorical terms. I had a few vouchers I was looking to use up, a few holidays left and Stallone’s pseudo-comeback Rocky Balboa (Rocky VI for those of us who kept count) was soon to be released. Having remembered the essential bits and bobs of the films from catching pieces of them on various Saturday evening RTÉ ‘Big, Big Movie’ broadcasts, I happened upon the complete (at the time) DVD boxset of Rockys 1-5 for the bargain price of 30 quid. My own experience with the franchise is almost accidental. Certainly there are better boxing films than Rocky or any of its sequels (the fact that the 1976 original won ‘Best Picture’ and Raging Bull didn’t is still a matter of contention for snobs everywhere) but even when those films are superior in quality, they nevertheless draw comparisons with the Italian Stallion’s sculpted, protein-packed legacy. For forty years now, the lovably formulaic series has captured our hearts in a way that few other sports movies have managed. Calling out ‘ Adriaaaann!’ (or the similar ‘ Yo Adrian! I did ittttt!). Most people know what an ‘80s training montage’ is.
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For Rocky to not die onscreen, but get to live on as a peaceful dad and grandfather, is the kind of ending that allows a character who has been so brutal to finally rest.The Rocky movies are one of those cultural touchstones that everyone is aware of on some subconscious level, even if they’ve never actually sat down and watched one. People across the board enjoy Rocky movies because they are about an underdog rising through hard work and dedication.Ĭreed II allowed Rocky to reconnect with his son, Rocky Jr., which is a much softer ending than some of the fates that were initially in Stallone’s mind, like dying after his street fight with Tommy Gunn. In the post, Stallone says, “All things must pass and end,” and that “Rocky will never die because he lives on in you,” which is truly heartfelt and is one of those cases where it’s actually true. I love you Kind and generous people, and The most wonderful thing of all, is that ROCKY will never die because he lives on in you ….Ī post shared by Sly Stallone on at 6:49am PST
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Though it breaks my heart, Sadly all things must pass… and end. It’s been my Ultimate privilege to have been able to create and play this meaningful character. I just want to thank everyone around the whole wide World for taking the Rocky family into their hearts for over 40 years. I am reposting this because there was a technical difficulty.