No introduction this time, just straight into the bulletpoints.

-Most sports movies are incapable of mixing the romance, personal story, and sports without falling too much into one direction. Rocky never falls apart here; There is a romance but it never overshadows the proceedings; there is boxing but it never takes the heart of the movie; who Rocky is and the man he wants to be is always the center of the story.

-To continue on that last part, Rocky is the story of a man who never reached his greatness finally deciding he wants to be a great man. He was not some prodigy nor was he at rock bottom, he was simply tired of being mediocre.

  • Rocky is surrounded by 2 men: omega male paulie, and great alpha male Mickey. Mickey is a great man because he helps develop other great men. He is what we aspire to be, a man who shares his accomplishments and knowledge with the world. Rocky becomes great when he starts spending more time with Mickey than paulie. In turn, Rocky eventually helps remove paulie from the bottom basement. Great men beget more great men and great men save us all.

-On top of Rocky helping paulie, Rocky saves Adrian from complete and utter non-existence. If not for Rocky she would die alone and afraid, taking care of paulie and feeling like a nothing. Rocky gives her confidence. Rocky gives her purpose.

-Think of who Rocky chooses: the conservative, shy, meek, pretty, girl around the corner. Also notice how, he doesn't require her to be great, but the relief and confidence she gives him is a phenomenal boost. Knowing you have a faithful, good woman at home is a major stress reliever for men. Lastly, notice he brings out the feminine in her. She starts dressing better, she starts smiling more, she becomes his completely dedicated to him. Great men also help women find the great woman in themselves.

--Rocky begins working out harder than ever before and doesn't let women or problems distract him. He is centered on a purpose and a desire

-The first key moment in the movie is when Rocky tours the stadium and the guy doesn't ever care about the color of his shorts. He realizes the whole world expects him to lose. He reaches his lowest point. He comes home and doesn't ask his wife for advice but she comforts him nonetheless. This is when he makes the decision that he won't drop. That he can get beaten senseless but he's making it all 15 Rounds. He sets a goal and is determined to see it through.

-The second key moment is in the 14th Round. Apollo Creed has punched Rocky's face in to a bloody pulp and finally knocks Rocky down which everyone assumes to be the final time since his face looks like a bruised orange. Instead, Rocky gets up, sways a bit, and motions for Apollo to come at him. Apollo shakes his head in a way that says, "There's nothing I can do. This man wants it. I can't truly beat him even if I win".

-The last key moment comes when both men are in their corners before the 15th round. Both trainers are telling their champions to quit, to stop before serious injury occurs. Both men, with seemingly nothing to fight for, tell their managers they'd die before they'd stop this fight. They are fighting for more than money, more than titles, they are fighting to prove a point, to stand for something bigger. It's goosebump inducing.

-The final minute of Rocky brings a tear to my eyes every time. 22 times I've watched and 22 times I've shed a tear. Creed says he won't give Rocky a rematch, Rocky says he doesn't want one. Cameras are trying to talk to Rocky but he doesn't care about the fame or the fight, he wants his women, the one he earned, the one he got beaten down for 15 rounds for. This fight was to prove to himself and Adrian that he was the man he said he is. And as Apollo is announced the victor, Rocky and Adrian finally unite. And in that final frame we see, beaten up beyond repair, damaged and spent, Rocky is the winner of the fight and he knows it.

Rocky is the story of a man learning to become great, to become a great man. It takes hard work, a great mentor, training, and a mindset of personal growth. While not necessary, a good woman helps calm the ills that plague great men in their moments of weakness and self doubt. There were no grand speeches to woo Adrian over, he just went out there and proved he was the man he said he was. Actions over words.

plus, Gonna Fly Now is the most motivating gym song in the history of music.