I have not seen all the Rocky movies, but I did go see Rocky Balboa today with Stephen and his friend Jenny (also Canadian, but she's from Calgary). Having been a soccer player/footballer in my youth, I have a bit of the competitive aggression still inside me and films like this resonate with that drive for excellence. Sort of. I enjoyed it more than I expected and was really pleased with some of the choices in the story/relationships/filming, particularly the way Rocky's over-the-hill journey unfolds and reaches a resolution (including the encouragement to go back to boxing because "fighters fight").
There was a preview for Goal! 2: Living the Dream shown before the movie which only increased my focus on this story of commitment. (I haven't seen the first in this series, Goal!, but I imagine I will eventually check it out, especially because I got so amped watching the preview for the next one.)
The thing that I have a hard time with, particularly in the Rocky series, is the way the fighting looks so pretty and it's edited for me to be invested in something other than the awkwardness of watching two human beings pummeling one another for entertainment. Watching boxing or fighting on a street...either way, the reality is icky and uncomfortable as a spectator. For me. I know there are lots of folks out there who enjoy watching or participating in a good fight. I just haven't had enough experience with it to not feel sick inside. Jenny was saying she felt nauseous after watching Million Dollar Baby and I imagine I would have a similar reaction. Maybe it's because I'm an empathist; I react to those punches connecting. And I don't know if I want to build up the tolerance necessary for it to not bother me.
I guess I will never be a contender.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment