The Real Rocky

This Movie Has Energy
"The Real Rocky" is another stellar entry in ESPN's fine 30 x 30 documentary series. My favorite sports films of all time are the stunning, panoramic "Hoop Dreams" and the original "Rocky." Stallone, an under-appreciated talent, wrote the initial salvo over something like one long weekend, spurred on by having witnessed the Ali-Wepner bout live. All of this is legend now, of course, but seeing the transformations Chuck Wepner's cinematic life took are nearly as fascinating as watching "Rocky" and the final chapter, "Rocky Balboa," a gem, back to back. Do I buy the central thesis that Stallone had robbed Wepner of life rights? Not really. The similarities are there, but Wepner, although not in the class of Ken Norton, George Foreman, and Philadelphia's favorite son, Joltin' Joe Frazier, WAS a ranked fighter. Mr. Balboa was a nowhereville collector for a loan shark. This flicks simply moves, though. A tale of an Also-ran, it ranks up there with...

Great movie
I don't want to give any spoilers, as a lot of this movie was a big surprise to me. Just watch it.

For fans of Rocky, boxing, or Muhammad Ali (or even professional wrestling), this is a must-see.

But you don't have to be a boxing fan or a Rocky fan to enjoy this movie. This is a tale of human drama (and occasional comedy) that should appeal to anyone. Wepner is a likeable Everyman.

The movie had great pacing, there wasn't a boring moment.

Highly recommended.

A breath of fresh air
Fascinating video which shows exactly where the inspiration for the Rocky movies comes from and more than once Stallone admits this to be true. Watch a true story about a working stiff from New Jersey who takes on the world [ sometimes he wins/ sometimes he doesn't ] but he never loses his ability to be honest, especially about himself which is next to non-existent in this "I'm the Victim" world we live in today. You also get to see M. Ali as he really is: a self absorbed draft dodger who never knows when to shut up. Great story about a great guy.

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