The Underdog of All Underdogs

Rating: 10/10 (24 April 2008)

Rocky is an action packed underdog story, which's incredible acting and astounding musical set only accents the great storyline to the masterful piece. Robert "Rocky" Balboa, the story's main protagonist, is played by newcomer at the time, Sylvester Stallone. Balboa is your average "mean streets" guy, who is a bookie for a living. On the side, Rocky fights in small boxing matches to make some money to get by. All the while, Balboa is trying to woo the ever timid sister of Paulie, Rock's, what seems to be, only friend. Adrian, played by Talia Shire, is the object of Balboa's attention throughout. As Rocky and Adrian's relationship develops, he gets the shot of a life time against the champion of the world, Apollo Creed. The struggle Balboa must partake in both physically and mentally as not only a fighter, but as a human being, strengthens him all the way to the title fight.
The movie carries many underlying tones to help emphasize this fighter's tale. One main conflict in the movie is the clash between black and white. The civil rights movement was just beginning to die down at the time that the movie was released, which was 1976. What makes this setup unique is the role reversal that takes place. Typically, you have the uneducated lower class black man trying to fight against the slings of the wealthy upper-class white man. Now the viewer witnesses the polar opposite. Balboa fights his way up through the social ladder to even get to the level to where he can step in the ring with such a noble figure. The reasoning behind this is not to create more tension between races, but to prove the point that in social interactions, in this case, a boxing match, people are people, regardless of race. Anyone has the capabilities to achieve whatever they work for regardless of social restrictions. A punch hurts no matter who it happens to. Both of these fighters bring each other full circle and show a mesh between the races. In the bout, they are no longer black and white, but fighter and fighter. This brings a unity to the human nature.
Another thing that stands out is the reasoning behind why would they place this plot into a boxing theme. A main theme of social evolution can be shown in almost any circumstance. The director chose to put this story into a boxing setting to show, not only a physical fight, but a social struggle. The boxing match symbolizes the hurdles that people of all races must overcome everyday and the fight they put up against it. They fight to achieve this unity among ethnicities and to come to the point of the "championship" of society.
As the film progresses, familiarities begin to surface between the characters, which gives rise to the idea that every character is another form and mold of Rocky. Starting with Adrian, they are like yin and yang. From their initial encounter, the viewer can tell that these two characters fill gaps in each other. They become puzzle pieces seemingly fit together to become this one object. This idea can be carried over throughout each others worries and concerns throughout the film. In the ice skating scene, Adrian tells Rocky that her mother told her that she didn't have much of a body, so she better start using your brain. Rocky then explains that his father told him the exact opposite, that he didn't have much of a brain, so he better start using your body. This shows that they were basically made for each other and the only way for them to truly evolve, they must come together.
Next up is Apollo. He is the polar-opposite of Rocky. The name says it all. Apollo being god-like, high and mighty, while lowly Rocky lives on scraps and on the dirt poor level. See the coincidence? Rocky stands for hard times and not a smooth life style, while the god Apollo lives the easy life. Then in their climatic bash, they offset each other no longer being individuals, but are now a cause. They now have meaning. Without each other they have only this bland individuality. In their physical interaction, they lose all of this and become the basis of human nature.
Finally you have Mickey, Balboa's senile and delusional trainer. His wisdom and guidance is what brings light and truth to Rocky's eyes. Mickey is the older version of Balboa. He is the aged fighter trying to live his dreams through a new prospect. Mickey is your typical FOIL character. He shows the audience everything Rocky is not and the potential he has to become something more advanced. He is the wise old man guiding a blind young man around showing him how to overcome the trials and tribulations that both have or are going to experience. Rocky must see the faults of a younger Mickey and stay on path to become something better, not only for himself, but to help Mickey come full circle.
All in all, Rocky is not your average underdog, but a beautiful display of innovative cinematography, deep character analysis, and meaningful dialogue. This is a must see for all members of the family. It is a story that many can relate to. It's that shot of a life time that everyone wishes for, but not always get. This will keep you on the edge of your seat cheering for more. I give this movie two thumbs up and is a must own for all ages.