eye of the tiger

A fellow alivenotdead blogger, Mr Hong Kong Honestly, told me a few entries ago that as much as I like to use Rocky as a metaphor for life, it's not realistic because Rocky is a movie and everything isn't so idealistic.

I challenge him, and all of you out there to watch this training montage from Rocky 2.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVdbuNpsryI I dare you to watch this and not get chills up your spine. If you watch this and have no sudden rush to scream "fuck yeah!", then please get the hell out of this blog.

The greatest part is at the beginning and the end.

"I want you to do something for me"

"What?"

"Win... WIN!"

Right after Adrian says that, the camera zooms in on Rocky's face and the first chime of the Rocky score kicks in. Then Mickey does his "well what we waiting for?" and then the scene cuts to him doing one handed push-ups. This is perhaps the greatest underdog-realizing-he-can-do-it moment in the history of fiction.

Adrian, throughout the series, couldn't understand or agree with Rocky's actions. She doesn't get why he fights and why he would fly to Russia on Xmas night to fight for free (shit I don't get that either, PAY PER VIEW, yo!), but she supported him all the way.

The second chill scene is when all the kids are following Rocky up the steps.

The point is, yes, it's a movie and it's too idealistic perhaps. But it doesn't hurt to have something to believe in, right? And I cant be the only one who feels this way--Rocky is on the short list of the most iconic fictional characters ever. And I mean iconic in the "it has stood the test of time" sense, not the random hot-at-the-moment things like Megan Fox (overrated as hell) or a Seth Rogen movie. So why is the movie a classic (beat out Taxi Driver for Oscar) and the character so iconic even though the movie has a low budget, a bare bones rags-to-riches/chase-your-dreams plot (that has been done countless times before and after--but never bettered), and mediocre acting?

Because deep down, the movie touched everyone. Everyone secretly wishes they were Rocky. Apollo Creed is one of the raddest characters ever: An educated, well-dressed, articulate Black man in the 70s? (with that awesome mini fro) He was bound to be popular...but he never stood a chance in Rocky 1 and 2, even though he was never portrayed as a villain.

Hell, not just one Rocky movie. Every Rocky movie has taught us a lesson. Here are the lessons the Rocky series has taught me:

Rocky 1: If a girl say no, just block the doorway and flex, she'll then say yes (That scene still gives me the creeps, Rocky basically raped Adrian)

Rocky 2: (the video)

Rocky 3: Playing at the beach with another man while sporting short shorts is not gay...if your name is Rocky and Apollo.

Rocky 4: Russians are evil. Americans are good.

Rocky 5: Never trust a guy with a permed mullet. And going back to your roots beats having money.

Rocky 6: It's not about how hard you hit, but how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward.