Makayla Bigard
10/16/16

Rocky

This film tells the American Dream story of Rocky Balboa, a middle class boxer living in the slums of Philadelphia.  Rocky starts out as a small-time club fighter, and gets a shot at fighting heavy weight champ Apollo Creed.  The film was made in 1976, directed by John G. Avildsen and both written and staring Sylvester Stallone.  The set of the film in late 1976 when America was celebrating the bicentennial in Philadelphia.  Which is where the liberty bell is located.  

Rocky Balboa works as an enforcer for loan shark Tiny Gazzo in between fights.  However, everything changes when the world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, announces plan to hold a match in Philadelphia during the upcoming United States Bicentennial.  Five weeks from the date of the fight Apollo's opponent is unable to fight due to an injury and he decides to spice things up by taking on a local fighter.  That local fighter turned out to be Rocky, who caught Apollo's eye in the paper with his nickname "The Italian Stallion."

Rocky accepts the challenge from Apollo and gets the change to fight on the big stage against the champ.  He began training for several weeks, using whatever he can find.  Rocky allows the owner of the run down gym, Micky (Burgess Meredith) that he works out at to train him.  He wakes up at four am to run in his run down converse, drinks six raw eggs, and going to a meat factory where he used the meat as heavy bags to punch.  

At the same time Rocky falls for the pet store clerk, Adrian (Talia Shire).  He tries to maintain a relationship with her.  As an underdog of the fight, Rocky the night before begins to doubt himself.  Telling Adrian that he gonna loss but still willing to fight Apollo Creed and prove himself to everyone.  

New Years Day, the fight begins.  Rocky holding is own against the heavy weight champ, lasting 15 rounds.  Both fighters sustaining brutal injuries.  The match goes on and Creed soon over comes Rocky and his level of experience begins to show.  As the iconic final bell rings both fighter still locked in arms both promise each other that there will be no rematch and Apollo Creed had won.  After the fight the crowd goes wild and Rocky repeatedly calls out Adrian's name through the noise.  She runs to meet him and they embrace each other no caring what the final result of the fight was.  This movie not only tells the story of the American Dream but is also about taking your best shot and realizing you're potential.