Rocky 3 is to films as the Village People are to music

Rating: 6/10 (4 July 2006)

When I saw this as a wide eyed 10 year old child I remember rockin' out of the cinema pumped up and ready take on people out in the street as if I were 29. But watching Rocky 3 again now I'm amazed I missed its subtle subtext of homosexuality amongst American boxers. When Apollo Creed approaches Rocky in the romantically dimmed gym in the middle of the night and calls him "babe", I suddenly saw the film in a new light. Then when Rocky says "you got me curious" and they lovingly stare at each other quietly, I realized the writers were taking the boxing legend into a new ring. The scene of Rocky and Apollo jumping up and down in the ocean in slow motion together in high cut pants was also something I missed as a kid. Then the punchy hook, as Mr T arrives, a surefire symbol of Rocky's denied homosexuality. His playful banter with Rocky's wife, "I'll show you a real man". When Rocky finally summons the courage to face him after spilling his guts to his wife, Mr T says "I'm gonna touch you up" and Rocky says "Go for It!" I had no idea.