'Rocky' is 'The Great White Hope' without irony. Reflective of the affirmative-action backlash era of the 1970's and the long-held frustration over black athletes dominating boxing, it's the fantasy of a white guy putting an Uppity Negro back in his place. The sequels tried their darndest to convince us the series wasn't racist but just ended up confiming it: in 'Rocky III' Apollo Creed is simultaneously elevated to the level of mentor and demeaned to the level of manservant, while an even more threatening Bad Negro (Mr. T) gets taken down. Everything Sylvester Stallone has done since ('Cobra,' anyone?) proves that the profundity everyone projected onto this film just ain't there. (The original ads compared him to Marlon Brando.) And can anyone stand to listen to that theme music anymore?
Where's Rudy? Talk about an inspiring story that applies to more than just becoming part of a legendary football team. You can't give up in life regardless of what lies ahead.
Nominated for 10 Academy Awards and winner for Best Picture, it's the film that inspired a nation! Audiences and critics alike cheered this American success story of an "everyman" triumphing ...more
RichardApr 14th, 2008 - 21:56:53
'Rocky' is 'The Great White Hope' without irony. Reflective of the affirmative-action backlash era of the 1970's and the long-held frustration over black athletes dominating boxing, it's the fantasy of a white guy putting an Uppity Negro back in his place. The sequels tried their darndest to convince us the series wasn't racist but just ended up confiming it: in 'Rocky III' Apollo Creed is simultaneously elevated to the level of mentor and demeaned to the level of manservant, while an even more threatening Bad Negro (Mr. T) gets taken down. Everything Sylvester Stallone has done since ('Cobra,' anyone?) proves that the profundity everyone projected onto this film just ain't there. (The original ads compared him to Marlon Brando.) And can anyone stand to listen to that theme music anymore?
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