Rocky Balboa is a prime example of the American Dream, going from rags to riches and with a "started from the bottom" mentality. He has a wonderful heart and great strength to bring him from nothing to something that everyone is talking about.
The first movie about him revolves around Rocky’s life and how he rises to his potential, which is a great example of living the American dream. The movie was released and set in 1976, and it did really well in the box office, because people love these rags to riches stories. The American dream is in all of us, but the people who succeed are the people who actually try.
Many people see Rocky’s potential, but Rocky never sees it himself until he proves himself wrong by challenging Apollo Creed. A gang on the street even says, “You’ll make a million dollars,” and Gazzo gives him five hundred dollars for training. Like the dog he adopted, no one shows any interest in Rocky, but they both eventually find a niche or “calling." Adrian is one of the biggest believers in Rocky. Although she is fearful of the sport, Rocky claims he can not “sing or dance,” so he might as well work at something he can do and shows a passion for. He is a passionate character altogether, putting off a tough exterior but full of moral strength.
"Rocky" is truly a work of art. The actors, of course, make the emotional connection, but one must put into account all of the meticulous production efforts in order to appreciate the film as a complete work of art. More scenes from the movie were missing music than had music. But the composer, Bill Conti, composed the track “Gonna Fly Now," the powerful song that many associate with the series itself and which is used in Rocky's iconic training scene. The song plays as Rocky trains to fight Apollo Creed. As he runs and pushes through the exhaustion and physical and mental pain, the song says, “Getting strong now, won’t be long now… Gonna fly now, flying high now,” which adds to the fact Rocky is determined and prepares for his fight thoroughly.
Running up the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art the first time, Rocky is out of breath and can barely walk straight, but by the end of his training, he leaps four steps at a time and pumps his fist in the air like Judd Nelson’s iconic fist pump in "The Breakfast Club" (1985). Also, the first time he ran the stairs, the surroundings were dark, which set a gloomy mood, while the second time around, there is a much brighter setting and cheerful mood as Rocky reaches his goal. Reaching the top of the stairs symbolizes that his dream and goals have become realities through blood, sweat, and tears, and Rocky is now ready to fight.
After "Rocky I," four more movies were made, telling just how heart-warming these movies can be. There is definitely no doubting how powerful the impact on America was. Rocky will forever be a symbol of the American dream.
