He tells the true tale of an underdog.
Yes, it’s difficult not to love the bone crushing fights against such fierce and intimidating opponents as Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang, and Ivan Drago. The combination of all-star casting and fist-pumping 70’s and 80’s music makes for some of the most motivational cinematic adventures known to man. But it’s the original Rocky, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1977, that stands alone among this franchise of films.
[spoiler alert]
Rocky begins the film as nothing more than a simple man. He is aware of his lack of intelligence leading him to believe fighting is the inevitable path he must follow. But his perceived mental deficiencies do not stifle his passion. He trains hard, doubts himself, faces adversity, finds love, and begins to win all before gaining the opportunity of his boxing career: a title bout. Ultimately, the true underdog story prevails as he loses by split decision. Yet watching the fight you witness something stirring deep from within the depths of the Italian Stallion: desire, strength, and resilience.
At some point we all have been or will be underdogs. The odds will appear insurmountable and throwing in the towel will look like the best course of action. Straightforward, it sucks. But there is something to be said for the individual who keeps trudging forward toward their goals, despite if the outcome is favorable or marked by defeat. In the blue collar, down-to-earth, Philly style that only Rocky can exude, he nails this notion on the head,
But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take, and keep moving forward.