Putting in the first disk we were full of energy and raring to go. I had some Newcastle Brown and was looking forward to seeing a film I hadn't seen for quite a while. In my buzzing mood and with gaps in my memory this first installment went down a treat, even more so than on previous occasions. This film more than any other really shows how truly under-appreciated Stallone really is. The script is witty, entertaining, filled with likeable and relatable characters and a decent plot while Stallone's acting is on par with greats like Marlon Brando (not my words). You really feel for Rocky, both in his love life, his training and in the ring (I love it when he describes Adrian as 'filling gaps' (not a euphamism by the way)). Anyone with any kind of humanity will route for him so much it'll be hard not to jump out of the seat during the training montage and fight scene. Then there's the music... so far so good. During a brief interlude I got myself another Newcy Brown and we moved on.
It was a bit strange watching the end of the first film again immediately after seeing it the first time, but this was something we came to quite like as it showed the continuation and really nailed the home that this was a series we were watching.
The second film however I found harder to swallow. I didn't realise how similar it was to the first film, but with none of the direction or the freshness. It also seemed somehow over-long. I did cheer up towards the end when the new and improved training montage kicked in (I love the unique training methods - inspiring stuff) but even the fight was a bit lame, particularly with the bizzarre ending.
On its own 2 is an okay film that just doesn't live up to its predecessor, immediately following 1 however it almost had me down for the count.
Fortunately three offer a change of pace and as soon as 'Eye of the Tiger' kicked in I was back in the game and Nathan showed similar rejuvination. That tune never fails to get me psyched and this was no exception. The incredible definition Stallone achieved at 3% bodyfat also woke me up - inspiring stuff.
There was none of the drama or emotional stuff seen in 1 & 2 but to be honest I'd had enough of that. 3 is pure comic-book style over-the-top 80s action. Class. Throw Mr T and Hulk Hogan in there too and you've got a winning formula.
Actually there is one emotional bit - the death of Mickey. A touching scene for me that's accentuated by a touching score from the ever present (except in four) conti. When Rocky cries it sends shivers down my spine. It's even more heart wrenching after just seeing these two form a bond for five hours. Unfortunately Nathan kind of mocked the performance which sort of ruined it for me this time round but hey... I'm not bitter... not bitter enough to remember it and write about it two weeks later or anything...
Pumped and reinvigorated we swapped the beers for protein shake and whacked in the next disk.
During four I had again reached saturation point. The weird thing is that four is normally my favourite but I suppose that was the problem - I've seen it over 50 times and at 6 hours in I didn't feel the desire to see it again. In reality this installment is really just one long music montage, which is great to whack on during a workout (my normal use for the film) but not so great to concentrate on if you're completely brain dead. While the Slyman was fighting the cold war I was fighting to keep my eyes open - and losing. I'd been hitten hard and protein shake, nor beer, nor even tea would do it... I'd need a strong coffee if I was going to keep moving forward.
I don't know if it was the caffeine boost or something else (perhaps the fact that I hadn't watched this one for over a year) but by five I suddenly found myself more awake than ever before. I can't really comment on Nathan's state of mind, but if I had to I'd put it at zen-like concentration.
Five has always gotten a bad rap which I think is unfair. Sure it's a bit soapy and it's kind of contrived that he should lose all his money and end up back in his old house from the second film, but the point is that just like Rocky himself the film is going back to its routes. And while three and four were fun I think five is actually better for it.
It's also at this point that we were beginning to notice how impressive it is that we've followed this character through so many life changing events - his first win, his marriage, the birth of his child, the growth of his child... it's almost like you know the character and again this just helps you route for him more. Especially during the street fight where the steaks are raised and the bad guy is even more of a dickhead than usual.
The little nods to the old films start to appear here too - such as the priest from the first film, and even a return to the boxing arena that we saw in the first scene of Rocky 1 (something I'd never noticed before). All this really helps to keep the illusion of a believeable world and made our (thus far) 8 hour vigil seem (slightly) more worthwhile.
Sure there are flaws in the continuity - I mean Rocky's son seems to age like ten years while he's in Russia. And it's funny how his bad eye is only an issue in the second film... but these plotholes are actually pretty few when you consider the scope of the series.
Another nice thing to see is the return of Mickey. I seem to remember that I worked out the flashbacks must have been filmed specifically for this film (not collected from discarded footage). I can't remember how I worked this out so you'll just have to take my word for it.
I also didn't pick up on all the father-issue stuff that's in the film previously. See, even after the twentieth watch you can still spot new things in a Rocky film. 'Get up ya' bum - Mickey loves ya!'.
It was Rocky Balboa that I had been looking forward to the most perhaps. After four it's my favourite Rocky, but it's also more modern and more serious.
One thing I didn't like was the lack of the serial style 'recap intro' that graced the beginning of the previous films. Nathan protested that showing the end of five would completely not make sense in the context of the film - but I felt a little summary of the previous five would have been nice for old time's sake. I suppose that's why this is 'Rocky Balboa' and not Rocky 6.
Rocky himself has changed slightly in this installment too as suddenly he seems wiser than before - passing his knowledge on to his son, a girl from his block, a random kid called 'Steps' and anyone else who'll listen. While the change is noticeable however it isn't out of place - as it stands to reason that the extra years and a life of action would leave him with a different perspective.
And that said though, it's still impressive how true to form the film is and this time there are even more retro nods - such as the re-appearance of Spider (the same actor and all) and even the very same turtles from from Rocky 1. It's impressive too that Appollo's trainer manages to grace every episode. The fact that Stallone could get so many actors and places involved and committed throughout the series is a testiment to the quality of the films and again really makes you believe that you've watched someone's whole life. At the beginning of the series who'd have thought that Appollo's trainer would be training Rocky to fight in his 60s? I doubt even Sly would predict it but in the context of the series it all makes sense - even in the cartoony middle films the overall plot follows a natural and organic evolution that can only occur when you have such well developed characters. Even Rocky's body has changed and adapted over time.
Six also demonstrates more than any other film how the films have mirrored Stallone's own life - how he went from nothing to overnight success, how he lost his way for a while, and how he returns after a long hiatus to successfully reclaim his glory days. And always against insurmountable odds.
Having seen the whole series through and now being introduced to Rocky at his lowest ebb, you want him to bounce back more than ever. And when you see him training at that age (to get those abs) you realise that no challenge is too great to Rocky or Stallone. It fills you with determination and pride.
At the end I was sad to see Rocky go, and sad that Stallone swore never to do a number seven. Then again he also swore never to do a five, or a four, so perhaps there's hope. The way I see it 'Rocky' is no ordinary series of films - it can break outside of the accepted trillogy format just like Bond. And though it pains me to say it I think there's one chapter left in Rocky's life. I think we need to see him die.
Whether or not this comes to pass however the experience has left me with a confirmed love for the series and the great man himself as well as a rejuvinated enthusiasm for the gym and the great gym of life. I think it's fair to say that Nathan felt the same. Not any film can do that to a guy - Rocky is my bible.
'In the warrior's code there's no surrender - though his body says stop his spirit cries 'never!''
I could have been doing work...
