Rocky Balboa

For as long as I can remember there has always been Rocky Balboa. My first memories of movies are of Rocky 1-4. To me, Rocky Balboa is like Santa Clause or the Easter Bunny; he was real. The only thing that distinguishes Rocky from make believe is that a part of me still thinks of Rocky as an actual person. I grew up watching him fight Apollo Creed and Clubber Lang, my first taste of politics came during Rocky 4 in the midst of the Cold War. Even though at the time I couldn’t comprehend Communism or two countries on the brink of the third World War, I actually believed that the people of Russia grew to love Rocky by the end of the 4th movie. I watched Rocky so many times as a young boy that after a while it seemed like a part of history. There was the break up of Pangaea, Christ being born, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Rocky beating the 10-count to capture the Heavyweight Title from Apollo Creed in one of the most stunning upsets in sports history.

I particularly like how as I have grown older my love for Rocky has continued to grow. I have seen all four of the original Rocky movies approximately 14,837 times respectfully. Some of you may be saying to yourself, “All four Rocky movies?” Yes all four Rocky movies. Allow me to explain something briefly if I may. Rocky V didn’t happen. It was awful, Tommy “The Machine” Gun was awful, and everything about that movie was awful. In fact, the only good thing that came out of Rocky V was right before Rocky and Tommy had their street fight. Tommy hits Paulie and Rocky says ever so calmly in a tough voice, "Now you knocked him down, why don't you try knockin' me down!" That's the only good part but still, Rocky V never happened!

Back to what I was saying before I was sidetracked on the train wreck, I have seen all four of the original Rocky movies, a lot. I still feel the same way watching them now as I did when I was 8 years old, that is says something. At the end of Rocky II when Rocky and Apollo hit the mat together I still to this day get goose bumps. When Rocky beats Apollo in a beach race at the end of the training sequence in Rocky III, I still think the two of them embraced in the man on man hug for just a few seconds too long. Everything about Rocky IV is memorable. Apollo dieing, the beard Rocky is sporting as he trains in Russia, and during the fight when the announcer says, “He’s cut! The Russian’s cut and it’s a bad cut!” However, one of my favorite parts of Rocky IV has to be after Apollo died and Adrian played the part of the supportive wife to perfection with the “You can’t win” line. Rocky hopped in his car and we viewers were treated to the finest montage in cinema history, which I have so graciously added for you to view. (Side note, I’m actually watching the Rocky IV clip for the 4th time now as I’m writing this blog.) So, as you can see, Rocky just hasn’t been something I’ve enjoyed throughout my life because I can’t remember my life without Rocky in it.



I’ve met a lot of people who like the Rocky movies but I don’t know many who love the Rocky movies like I do. Let me put it this way, I love the Rocky movies like many people love Star Wars. A friend of mine, Doug Parker, also happens to love Rocky the way I do. In college when we would come home from the bars, we would watch Rocky before we fell asleep. We would watch Rocky IV over and over again just to see the video montage and the end of the Cold War. Many people don’t know this but a copy of Rocky IV was sent to the Russian Premier before the theatrical release. The communist government was so moved and inspired by Rocky’s tenacity and heart that they found themselves cheering for Rocky by the end of the movie. The part that Parker and I loved so much and I know the Russians loved too was when Rocky said, “If I can change, and you can change. Everybody can change!”

The two of us had such an appreciation for the Rocky movies that we were so offended and pissed off with Rocky V because it was a terrible ending to a great character and great story. Then in 2006 we found out that Stallone was going to right his own wrong (Rocky V) and make one final chapter in the Rocky saga. Rocky Balboa was going to hit theaters just days before Christmas. Even though Parker and I were no longer roommates nor did we even live in the same state, we made a pact to each other to see it together. I traveled back to Iowa and spent a night in Cedar Falls to catch the newest Rocky. When the Rocky music began playing at the beginning of the movie we looked at each other and knew exactly what one another was thinking, “This is awesome!” It was the first time I had been able to see a Rocky movie in theaters and I still have my ticket stub to this day.

What made me think of writing this was Jadon. As I previously said, I watched Rocky a lot as a kid. Whenever Rocky began training and the music was playing I’d knock out a few push ups and sit ups and I’d stand up to shadow box like Rocky did. I’d break a little sweat, run into the bathroom and look at myself in the mirror while Eye of the Tiger was still jamming in my head. Even now that I’m older whenever I see Rocky running and training it fires me up and makes me want to work out. In fact, the other day I was watching Rocky when Celia caught a training scene and said, “I wanna go work out now!” Back to Jadon though.

I’ve written before that his favorite movie was a horse race between Wall-E and Finding Nemo but I think the two of them may have to slide over and make room for a new number one. Jadon absolutely loves watching Rocky. It started one day when I was watching Rocky and he became extremely fascinated with the boxing match. His love quickly evolved from that point and now he is constantly saying, “Daddy Rocky Boa.” In the morning when he is asked what he wants to watch he has began saying quite frequently, “Hmm, Rocky!”

I have no objections to this at all. It gives me an excuse to watch Rocky over and over again without Celia’s approval. It’s also nice to sit down with my son and already share a piece of my childhood with him. As I said, I used to give myself a mini workout while I watched Rocky. Jadon doesn’t quite work out yet but he still runs around the house with both of his fists up saying, “Mommy Daddy, Rocky Boa.” He wants us to start boxing with him and when we don’t he’ll start jabbing at us. Randomly during a fight Jadon will pump his fist and say, “Go Rocky, go!” When the Russian killed Apollo Jadon had a look of deep concern on his face and said, “Oh no!” He adores the Rocky movies the way I used and still do and will probably grow up thinking that Rocky Balboa is a real person, much like I still do. I used to have a Rocky poster (picture to the right) that Celia won’t let me hang up in our living room so I instead moved it into Jadon’s room. Jadon knows what the poster is and loves it.

Right now though, he is so much fun to see watching the movies. The other day I took a video of Jadon watching Rocky and not even his baby sister screaming could break his attention. What I love most of all though, is whether Celia likes it or not, the Rocky series is not going anywhere for about the next 16 years at least. On the other hand, at least until Hailey gets older and Rocky has to share the T.V. with The Swan Princess.