When I last posted, I was saying how great I thought Rocky IV was. I was talking about how every time I watch it I feel on top of the world. And no matter how bad I am feeling, watching that movie brings me out of the slumps. For those of you who have never seen it, I gave a brief summary, and also my favorite quotes.
I found out easily though, that some feel differently. Graeme Clark, of the Spinning Image web site, Thought “Rocky IV just may be the most predictable film in motion picture history”. “Rocky is a shallow installment . That weakens the credibility of the series.” He also made his opinion pretty clear on Rocky being a play up of the Cold War by saying “ Sylvester Stallone is making his musclebound, muscle headed hero of the Rocky films into the personification of American patriotism and power. He scripted this attack on the Soviet Union himself as a triumph, yet again, of the underdog, and if some cried foul at the ridiculous oversimplification of the politics of East and West.”
And although I do agree that Rocky has a lot to do with the Cold War, I do not agree on it being a flat out attack, on the Soviet Union. In fact I think it is the opposite of an attack. The quote from Rocky “If I can change, and you can change, everybody can change.” is talking about acceptance. He is saying I,You, Everybody, not just a you, talking about the soviet union, need to change. Sounds more like a peace offering to me.
I can also agree Rocky IV was a predictable movie. But I don't believe it takes away from the struggles and the emotion the movie depicts. And to me the emotions Rocky makes me feel out weighs predictability any day.
Dan Grant of the Internet Movie Database Shares my point of view “It is by far and away the most entertaining film of the 5.” As I said, “Rocky always gives me hope.” Grant agrees by saying “Rocky appeals to all of us. Because all of us have been the underdog at some time in our lives and we love to watch him and perhaps live vicariously through him. That is the beauty of Rocky. If Rocky can do it then dammit so can.” I feel the same way. Who cares if you know he is going to win. The point is the odds are stacked against him, and yet through struggles and hardships he perseveres. Some times I just need under dog hero to get me through the day.
To me it does not matter if it is predictable, as Clark states. It is the passion and the will to keep pushing that makes Rocky one of the greats.
“Rocky!Rocky!Rocky!”
Thursday, February 19, 2009
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