I just got back from seeing "Rocky Balboa". I know a lot of you make fun of this series, and Sylvester Stallone, but the Rocky series of movies, although incredibly cheesy, have always had some genuine inspiration in them. They have become legend and legacy in cinema and movie making.
"Rocky Balboa" delivers. It is much better than any of the series, maybe even the original Rocky. It is heartfelt and original, and true to the original Rocky premise. It brings us full circle with almost all characters in the entire movie series, and brings to a close this legend with respect and dignity.
I truly liked quite a few things that were said in the movie and related to them. Examples:
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that..."
You kids now need to start taking responsibility for what you do. Don't be weak, don't be a coward, don't blame it on everyone or everything else, stand up, take the hit and move forward. Take responsibility. Face it head on. When you get hit hard and continue moving forward, you get respect, are stronger and more prepared to handle what comes.
"The only kind of respect that matters is self-respect."
The respect of your peers, of others is important, but not at the cost of respecting yourself. In the end, the only person you need to be respected by is yourself.
Go see this movie. You will laugh, cry, scream like you were at a real boxing match, and you will think. It will leave you with inspiration and good feelings.