Rocky-ism

Finally caught Rocky Balboa.

In the show, Rocky was asked to recommend something from the menu in his restaurant. His reply was “It’s all edible.”

It sure is, and I lapped it all up like it’s the only Rocky film to come out in almost a decade. Not that that’s a bad thing cause it all works. From aged (albeit botoxed) Rocky to the revisits to locations from the first film to the traditional Rocky training to the tune of “Eye of the Tiger” to flashbacks of Rocky’s first few fights to more classic Rocky-isms, the whole thing reeks so badly of nostalgia that it’s fragrant. Hmm… that’s not really a word that I’ll want to associate to a show with sweaty guys punching each other up.

Rocky is a show that probably inspired a generation (as is evident from the numerous out takes of people doing their own version of the classic “jog up the stairs” routine in the end credits. Classic). This show will not carry on that proud tradition. But it is still a pretty good flick on its own right.

So I’ll end with some new Rocky-ism from the show:

ROCKY TO SON:

I’d hold you up to say to your mother, “this kid’s gonna be the best kid in the world. This kid’s gonna be somebody better than anybody I ever knew.” And you grew up good and wonderful. It was great just watching you, every day was like a privilige. Then the time come for you to be your own man and take on the world, and you did. But somewhere along the line, you changed. You stopped being you. You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you you’re no good. And when things got hard, you started looking for something to blame, like a big shadow. Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that! I’m always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, ya ain’t gonna have a life.

Whoever thought the big guy has it in him to write such sweet prose. Beneath that meatbag exterior lies a seriously under rated writer and director (He wrote and directed most of his franchise films Rambo and Rocky. Who would’ve thought?)

Respect.