If you’re looking for an emotional and rousing movie about the ultimate underdog, you could likely do no better than Rocky. The movie is one of the most crowd-pleasing and beloved films you’re likely to find. It is the story of Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), a working-class boxer in Philadelphia who gets a chance at the title of heavyweight champion of the world.
The movie continues to charm audiences all these years later and is the kind of movie that you can revisit countless times and still enjoy. However, not all aspects of the film hold up so well. Other time some of the politics and language of the film is quite dated while the sequels have also changed our perception of some scenes. Here are some of the things in Rocky that have not aged well.
The Underdog
Rocky was always the ultimate underdog and such an easy hero to root for. Though the chance to fight Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) is a bit of a fluke, Rocky shows that hard work and determination can allow you to go the distance.
However, the underdog aspect of the first film is somewhat diminished after having seen all the sequels. Rocky might be the blue-collar guy in this film, but he soon becomes the biggest name in boxing. Though it’s still easy to root for the guy, it’s a little hard to see him as a down-on-his-luck boxer.
Casual Racism
Carl Weathers doesn’t have a huge role in the film, but he is excellent as the arrogant and polished Creed, providing a great adversary for Rocky. However, the fact that Creed is black is brought up several times in the film for seemingly no reason.
There seems to be a suggested commentary about a white man fighting a black man that the film hints at but doesn’t actually explore. Also, in another odd scene, a bartender makes refers to Creed with a racist slur and calls him a clown. However, Rocky is only offended that the man called him a clown.
Paulie And Adrian
Paulie and Adrian are two of the most important characters in the Rocky series. Adrian is, of course, the love of Rocky’s life and future wife. Paulie is Adrian’s alcoholic brother who is also Rocky’s troublesome friend.
Though they are an essential part of Rocky’s story, their dynamic in this first film is very disturbing. Adrian is a shy and closed-off person and Paulie is constantly insulting her, demeaning her and ordering her around. Though Adrian does eventually stand up to Paulie, it’s strange to see Rocky just watch this abusive behavior happen.
Smoking
When we meet Rocky, he is a boxer who is probably already past his prime. He is a skilled and powerful fighter, but he’s far from being a professional. In fact, the lifestyle Rocky leads really suggests he would have a very difficult time making it in professional sports.
One of the strangest things is seeing Rocky smoke throughout the movie. Smoking was more common in films back in the 70s, but to see someone who is portraying an athlete at this level, it is hard to believe smoking would be part of their lifestyle.
The Romance
Though the boxing is obviously the big draw of the Rocky films, the heart of these stories comes from the romance between Rocky and Adrian. These are two outcasts who find each other and fill the voids in each other’s lives. While it develops into a charming romance, seeing Rocky court Adrian in this film is uncomfortable.
Adrian is clearly not interested in going out with Rocky despite his continued attempts. In fact, on their first date, Paulie literally forces Adrian to leave the house. When they go back to Rocky’s apartment, Adrian keeps trying to leave and Rocky actually prevents her from going. While they do fall in love, it’s not as romantic as some might remember.
Misogyny
As heartwarming as Rocky and the other characters can be in this film, they are characters of their time which means some of their opinions are outdated. As you can imagine with all the tough, macho boxing personalities in the film, some of their opinions on women are not so enlightened.
While Mickey’s line that “women weaken the legs” is more comedic than anything, it is Rocky himself that shares some troubling views. When escorting a young girl home, he chastises her for hanging out with only boys and getting a reputation. He even uses some nasty and inappropriate language in his lecture.
The Montage
Sometimes being as iconic as Rocky is can hurt a film on rewatches. The Rocky films are famous for the montage scenes and this first film has a thrilling one. We see Rocky putting everything he has into his training, accompanied by the rousing music and the final shot of him racing up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
While there is nothing wrong with how the film portrays that moment, the problem is how famous it has become. We have seen this moment and these montages parodied so many times that it’s hard to get that same emotional reaction when watching it now.
Marie
As mentioned before, the scene in which Rocky walks a young girl home while giving her some unsolicited advice really sticks out when watching it now. It is a creepy and inappropriate moment from Rocky, but it becomes even worse in one of the later films.
In Rocky Balboa, an older and retired Rocky is reintroduced to that same young girl whose name is Marie. Now an adult with a son, she and Rocky form a bond that turns romantic. Knowing where this relationship leads, that scene in the first film is even more off-putting.
Insulting Adrian
Adrian is a very interesting character in the film. Like Rocky, she is someone that is looked down on by others, considered past her prime and “a loser”. As such, she is regularly insulted throughout the film. But it is the specific insults that don’t sit well when watching the film today.
Various people in the film, including her brother, insult Adrian as being mentally challenged. What’s worse is they use ugly language that is incredibly offensive in this era.
Boxing
If any movie fan was asked what is the best boxing film of all time, there are many who would immediately name Rocky. It is a thrilling story of the sport and can entertain even those who are not generally interested in boxing. However, looking back, the boxing scenes are certainly a bit unrealistic.
Though Stallone and Weathers likely put a lot of work into preparing for the climactic fight, the way the fight is portrayed is more theatrical than realistic. Neither fighter puts much effort into blocking the other fighter’s punches and takes wild swings at their opponents. This was probably done to at some excitement to the fight, but it does look a little silly.
