Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Rocky III’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

‘No, I don't hate Balboa, but I pity the fool, and I will destroy any man who tries to take what I got.’
- Clubber Lang

​There's something to be said when you're regarded as the best at what you do. People look up to you, you're often rewarded handsomely when it comes to money and you have the satisfaction of knowing that you have become a master in your field.  

Yet there is one thing that can threaten anyone at the top of their game, complacency. After all, when you have reached the top, who is there to motivate you? Who will make sure you are driven day in and day out, because complacency can not only rot a person's skills from the inside out, it can provide an opportunity for others who are willing to work harder than you, to try and take your place. It is that idea that drives the plot of Rocky III.

Rocky Balboa, is the Heavyweight Boxing Champion at last and he is finally living the dream. Endorsement deals, a fine home, fancy cars and fancy living surround the champ as he successfully defends his title again and again. But as he prepares to retire, a new challenger, a monster of a fighter known as Clubber Lang wants his shot at the title. Rocky wants his last fight to be against Lang, but his trainer Mickey believes it is a bad idea and reveals a painful truth to Rocky; in that he has lost his edge as a fighter and Mickey has hand-picked his opponents to keep him safe, galvanizing Rocky to believe that fighting Clubber is the right call for his final fight. But the battle with Lang costs him his title and Mickey's heart gives out during the match and he passes away, leaving Rocky devastated. But an old opponent, Apollo Creed, knows that greatness is still within Rocky and takes it upon himself to help Rocky regain the fire within and face Clubber Lang one more time.  

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The amazing journey we accompany Rocky Balboa on is something we talk about often when it comes to this film series, and this film features an incredible odyssey to say the least. In fact, I love the twist that Rocky, who wanted nothing more than to be someone in this life is finally granted his wish, only to have it backfire Rocky when starts to believe in his own hype and seems to regard himself as invincible. Heck even the transformation of the character in this movie is incredible. This is a refined Rocky, one we aren't used to seeing and that makes the story work all the much more when Rocky is brought back down to earth by the mighty Clubber Lang.

Speaking of which, Mister T's performance as Clubber is nothing short of amazing. He brings to the franchise its first real villain. While Apollo Creed could be considered the bad guy in the first two films, he is merely a cocky champion and clearly, he is a good guy deep down as is evidenced by the fact that he takes Rocky under his wing. But Clubber, well Mister Lang is crass, crude and an all-around bad dude and he spends his time in this film spewing hate and some of the best one liners in the entire series.  

But while this movie seems over the top and stylized, and in some ways it is, the film is in fact, loaded up with some heavy themes. In addition to analyzing what it means to become and stay the best, it also deals with life and the eventual loss we face when it comes to those we love, as is demonstrated by way of Mickey's death. This is something that I think is quickly glossed over the first time you watch this motion picture, because so much happens to Rocky in a short time frame. But it's quite the sight to see Rocky have to grieve for the first time and seeing him lose so much, adds another level to this film. Either way, this is another great entry in the series, one that you cannot help but watch when it comes on the air and one that I always remember fondly, especially since what would come next would alter the franchise for years to come.  

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