OK so I have to start by admitting that I lost track of the Rocky saga back at about Rocky 2. While I loved the story of the underdog boxer who won on guts and who lived the song "I get knocked down but I get up again", Rocky ran out of legs for me back in the 80s.
So it was with great curiosity that I forked out the requisite $10 or so to see Rocky Balboa over the holidays. There was nothing new or unpredictable about the movie. Once again, Rocky showed his character. And the message of the movie - that ultimately you must believe in yourself if you are going to succeed in life - is one that I heartily endorse.
But the real kicker for me was the commitment of Sylvester Stallone to just do the movie at age 60. He says he worked out for 2 years to get in shape, and I believe it. In the movie, since he can't beat his younger opponent on speed, he relies on strength, and seeing Stallone lifting hundreds of pounds in training and eliminating all the flab off his body is inspiring to anyone over 30. He is a wall of physical strength and stamina, and living proof that aging is to some degree what we make it.
Right now the press is debunking the original Rocky myth about how Stallone refused to sell his original script unless he was the star - how he was down to his last $200 and refused bushels of money until he was finally allowed to be Rocky. It is a great story that I wish was true. Who knows? However he got there, though, he turned a script inspired by an Ali fight into a multi-billion dollar franchise.
Myth or not, Stallone was just another mostly-unknown actor in 1977, with a half paralyzed face and credits that included The Lords of Flatbush and a few porn flicks. He turned that into Academy Awards, a great career, and one of America's greatest underdog icons. He did it with incredibly hard work and unflappable belief in himself.
He is one of the few big Hollywood stars who is not a pretty face, and that itself is an incredible feat.
And not only is Stallone himself an inspiration, but the character he has shaped over the last three decades has inspired millions. One eloquent example from mschindler.com
It may sound corny, but the capture and realization of seemingly unattainable goals is exactly what the character of Rocky Balboa has always embodied for me–a potential to accomplish one’s dreams through nothing other than pure self-determination and hard work. That’s the formula that made Rocky successful the first time around. And that’s the formula that makes it successful for this, the sixth and final time.
I think Sylvester Stallone's belief in himself despite the odds and his amazing commitment to Rocky are a good role model for all of us. Go get em Rock!
Update: After reading this post over at Converstations, I wish Balboa *did* have a blog!
I'm not sure what possessed me to go watch the movie either... but I totally agree! Sylvester's commitment to Rocky is definitely an inspiration to all...
Posted by: Roma | January 09, 2007 at 12:04 PM
Long live Italian stalion. Truely sylvy lives the character of rocky. Its not just a outright boxing movie but teaches you the very basics of life "Life is not about hitting hard its about getting hit hard and still moving ahead in life" Racky takes the final punch thus explaining his son life is more than winning,. Man dont ever miss this movie. Sylvy even at 60 can put all honcos like salman and likes to shame. Rocky is worth every penny.
Posted by: טכנאי מחשבים | September 30, 2009 at 04:48 PM