MEMORIES:
Tasha remembers...I was just like Adrian way back in elementary time. I was shy and innocent. She reminds me a lot ... More »
Posted on 03/05/08
CATCH PHRASE:
Returning to the writer’s ring, Sylvester Stallone followed up his 1976 Academy Award-nominated screenplay (and performance) with 1979’s Rocky II. But for this bout, Stallone also took a shot at the directing duties. In addition to Stallone, the other three Oscar-nominated performers returned to reprise their roles: Talia Shire as Rocky Balboa’s girlfriend/wife, Adrian; Burgess Meredith as the crotchety trainer, Mickey; and Burt Young as his manager, Paulie. And lest the franchise lose its first heavyweight champ, Apollo Creed revived once again as Carl Weathers.
Shamed by his near-loss to the “nobody” named Rocky Balboa, Apollo Creed challenges the “Italian Stallion” to a rematch to prove his championship mettle. Rocky, satisfied that he gave it his all against Apollo’s best, decides to retire in part because of health reasons. After undergoing surgery to repair a damaged retina, Rocky cashes in on the purse from his championship bout, marrying Adrian, buying himself a new car, and treating his friends. But quickly enough, the belt tightens once again as Adrian announces her pregnancy and Rocky is unable to land a white-collar job. Taking a job at Mickey’s gym training other boxers, Rocky begins to long for another shot at Apollo.
Things go from bad to worse when Adrian’s water bursts prematurely, landing her in a coma. When she finally wakes up, her admonition to her husband is to simply “win.” Back in training, Rocky does everything from chasing chickens to running back up the museum steps on his way to a rematch with the champ. But this time, Apollo is waiting, and he won’t be taken by surprise.
Though future films in the franchise would actually perform much better in theaters, the film that revealed Rocky’s true name as Robert still brought home a sizeable $85 million. Perhaps more importantly, it gave the “Italian Stallion” a chance to give Apollo Creed what he had coming to him over the course of two films. But those who disregard the film (or the franchise for that matter) miss out on what truly makes Rocky an American hero. Unlike so many brooding protagonists and vigilante crusaders soured by their circumstances, Stallone’s Rocky is the anti anti-hero: Kind, compassionate, honest, humble… Rocky is more than just a boxer.
