We’ll always look back at the Rocky franchise as being one of if not the best sports movie franchises in history. Sylvester Stallone took the “underdog” idea and turned it into a best picture in 1976; one of the few sports themed movies to ever win best picture. But Sly didn’t stop there. He went on to make an additional 5 movies and even acted in a spinoff called Creed. While we’ll always love the idea of these films creating an “overcoming huge obstacles” vibe, it’s the “how” that really draws us in.
Part of the how is the way in which Rocky trained to beat his opponents. The training sequences in the Rocky films had a tremendous evolution from one film to the next so I decided to rank them all from each movie. Let’s take a closer look:
Rocky V
I think we can all agree that this was far and away the worst Rocky movie ever made. Was there even a training sequence in this movie? The answer is “not really.” With the exception of the montage at the end credits that pays tribute to all the Rocky films before it featuring a song by Elton John, this Rocky movie will forever remain as the worst one. Though when you look back there’s a considerable amount of unintentional comedy that’s kind of cool. “You knocked him down, why don’t you try knockin’ me down now.”
Rocky Balboa
There were a lot of mixed feelings about this film but I have to admit, I enjoyed it thoroughly. My biggest beef is the sound effects of the final fight. You didn’t get those super loud fake punch noises that all the Rocky movies are accustomed to. It’s almost as if they tried to make the fight too real. What’s real about a guy who’s almost 60 taking on the world champ and almost winning? Nothing. The training scene was lackluster. But I will say there was one line that will forever entertain me. “Hurtin’ Bombs!”
Rocky
While I consider Rocky to forever be the best of all the Rocky films that doesn’t mean the franchise learned how to make a successful training sequence yet. Yeah it’s awesome when he climbs to steps and the song “Gonna Fly Now’ is playing but it doesn’t pump you up like in the other films. Like I said, incredible movie but if we solely ranking training scenes I can’t rank it ahead of the next three.
Rocky II
This is where Sylvester Stallone starts to “get it.” He realizes that he can make these training sequences longer, with cooler music, and get the audience completely revved up. Plus you know, this one’s got him chasing a chicken. “I got speed!” Rocky’s still doing most of the training by himself but a fantastic added touch to this movie is the scene where he runs up the steps. Only this time nearly every child in Philadelphia is running with him. I love the kid who screams, “Go, go, gooooooooooo!”
Rocky III
By far the funniest of all Rocky movies but not because they tried to be, Rocky III pits Rocky in Philadelphia training with none other than Apollo Creed after Mickey dies. It’s hard to determine a favorite part to this training montage but if I had to choose it would be either Rocky tossing Paulie into the pool or the unintentionally gay moment when Rocky and Apollo race and then frolic like two school girls in the ocean after Rocky finally beats Apollo in their sand race.
Rocky IV
“Man vs Machine.” Wilderness vs. Modern Technology. Rocky vs. Drago. While the song “No easy way out” pumps you up to no end, “Hearts on Fire” during this training sequence might be one of the best songs of all time. From Rocky lifting everyone in that wooden crate to him running up an entire mountain without dying, this scene has it all. And of course Drago taking steroids and panting with that high voice. You cannot beat this training montage. You simply cannot.
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