To put it bluntly, this is the first officially unnecessary Rocky sequel. After capturing our hearts with his grit and determination in the ring in two films, Rocky has become an icon. He defends his title several times and is a marketing giant. He’s pulling in all kinds of money and it just may be going to his head. His brother-in-law Paulie grows incredibly jealous and calls him on his fame and fortune while in a drunken stupor.
Meanwhile, a determined young fighter, Clubber Lang (played by Mr. T), has his sights set on Balboa. He practices and trains and works his way up the ranks and is bold enough to demand a match against Rocky.
The problem with Rocky III is that things are just too simplified. In a way, it’s a reversal of the original. Now Rocky is living the high life and being challenged by a young upstart. Clubber Lang is very much like an early Rocky. To prevent audiences from rooting for Lang, however, the filmmakers depict him as selfish and egomaniacal, thinking that he is the greatest and Balboa is just a chump. After being called out many times, Balboa wants to know why he shouldn’t take on the loud mouth.
Evidently, Rocky’s world is crushed when his trainer tells him that all his title defenses were against much weaker opponents. Mickey was protecting Rocky from tough bouts because Rocky isn’t the stallion everyone thinks he is. A good fighter, yes, but not capable of standing toe to toe with some of the toughest fighters on the circuit.
Rocky decides to be block-headed and fight Lang anyway. Before the fight, Lang assaults Mickey, who suffers a heart attack and dies in the locker room. Balboa, having insufficient amounts of training montages by this point isn’t focused and loses his title to Lang.
Rocky becomes depressed and reverts to his bummish ways of old until Apollo Creed tells him to snap out of it. Creed takes him to the slums of LA to train ‘old school’ style, but Rocky’s afraid of fighting Lang again. Cue an emotionally charged speech from Adrian and some new montage music (“Eye of the Tiger”) and Rocky is good to go. He’s mean, lean and ready to fight.
He wins of course, allowing Rocky to redeem himself (from what, exactly, we’re not too certain) and Rocky has now become elevated from inspiration to hero status. The biggest problem is that Rocky III indulges in all the over-the-top attitudes that were flirted with briefly in Rocky II, turning Rocky into some kind of all-powerful demigod. Sylvester Stallone effectively converts Rocky from a film series into a movie franchise. The success of this film all but guaranteed another installment, because while Rocky may still be fighting for pride, from here on out, Stallone was in it for the money.
This sends us a mixed message that doesn’t mesh with the ideals of the original film. Plain and simple, Rocky III kills most of the virtue of the original.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!
No comments:
Post a Comment