Generation Sly

[masterofdisaster19]

I've always had a fondness for Stallone's movies just from having grown up with them. Any kid that was born in the USA around 1980 can relate to that; not only was he coming out with lots of new movies, but his old ones were in super-heavy rotation on cable television channels like TBS, TNT, USA, and even HBO. Sure, there were plenty of ups and downs along the way, but being a child in the man's heyday makes you see things a little differently.

We weren't burdened with the cynicism of adults; when Sly shot someone with an exploding arrow, we had no reason to question his motives. He's Rocky Rambo. He always does the right thing. We didn't need movies to be heavy on frills like plotline. We were just kids having fun watching these over the top action films and admiring our hero, Sly Stallone.

And in recent months, with the incredible experience of closely following all the hype of a brand new Rocky movie and a Rambo movie as well, I've seen things from a dual perspective. I know what it's like to have an adult's moviegoing dollar, but when I see Sly's iconic characters being brought to life, I understand that I'm part of generation Sly - because all the cynical attitudes I have about other movies melts away when I see these new projects, perfectly in touch with current filmmaking standards and still sporting all the epic trappings of the past, being made while I'm a grown-up.

I feel tremendously lucky and it makes me feel a connection to my own childhood, when I was too young to fully appreciate some elements of his movies, yet too young to be jaded about them. It also gives me the vague feeling that all things come full circle. We are in the year 2007, and 30 years after his beginning, we have only recently said goodbye to Rocky. Rambo is still coming. And who knows what else Sly may decide to do? I just feel very fortunate to be privvy to all this.

[roccobalboa]

Ditto .........

I was 11 when I saw the original ROCKY in the movie theater ..... and from that moment I was hooked. Also saw First Blood in the theater ... same feeling.

[masterofdisaster19]

And it's kind of strange and surreal, because it really is a situation where I'm feeling and experiencing things that resonate with me in the exact same way they did when I was a child. It's vaguely transcendental. Vaguely, hell, it is transcendental. Forget that they're just movies. They're as much a part of the human experience as anything else.

[roccobalboa]

They hit something very deep ...............

[thebumfromthedark]

You know, when I was watching the Rocky movies (I-V) as a child, they never really had an inspirational effect on me, like physically. I mean, I was ill when I saw Rocky I (finally) and afterwards, I was physically better. Maybe it was not seeing them in a theater. They did however teach me lessons and showed me how to be a man.

But man, in "Rocky Balboa" when the chorus croons "FEELIN' STRONG NOW... WON'T BE LONG NOW... GETTIN' STRONG NOW!" and Rocky decimates that punching bag and throws those beer kegs around, man I felt like I could do anything.

[roccobalboa]

..... That's how I felt at 11 yrs. old watching it in the theater!!

Sly has now inspired me for my later years.

[masterofdisaster19]

thebumfromthedark said:

You know, when I was watching the Rocky movies (I-V) as a child, they never really had an inspirational effect on me, like physically. I mean, I was ill when I saw Rocky I (finally) and afterwards, I was physically better. Maybe it was not seeing them in a theater. They did however teach me lessons and showed me how to be a man.

But man, in "Rocky Balboa" when the chorus croons "FEELIN' STRONG NOW... WON'T BE LONG NOW... GETTIN' STRONG NOW!" and Rocky decimates that punching bag and throws those beer kegs around, man I felt like I could do anything.

I used that inspiration to pump an equal weight in iron and toss beer kegs. I'm not kidding. It's such an incredible moment.

[Mrs B]

As I grew up, Sly was as much a part of my conciousness as anything I experienced at that time. Him and Arnire (lol). They were just always 'there' and I always compared all other actors to Sly. I thought he was the biggest thing ever. I used to be facinated by his and Arnies muscles because I had never seen men like that in real life. I wondered if they really did make them like that, lol (I'm sure though that he was not as big over here as he would have been in America at that time).

When you have followed someones career in this way, what they produce certainly does become as much of the human experince any other, like you said, Mod. In the same way as books, films can transport you into different worlds and allow you to see things and experience different personalities that you would never normally get to see or experience. Children are like sponges in that sense. Thats why so many people aspire to be like thier childhood heroes. Thats how big the impact is.

Also, our perceptions of something can turn it into virtually anything that we want it to. For instance, a child watching Rocky, Rambo or any of Slys other action flicks, would use abstract thinking a lot less - because children naturally think more literally. Therefore, they'll enjoy it for the simplicity it offers and the pure entertainment value. What he does isnt questioned, like you said - it just 'is', thats what he does.

With more abstract thinking though, often comes a deeper appreciation of the films that we grew up with. Sometimes this may work the other way round though - for example, we may watch a film when we are older, that we loved as a kid, but then be disappointed in it as an adult. However, more often than not, we get even more out a film as we get older, always seeing new and more wonderful concepts within it. Learning more lessons, relating it to our own real life experinces and letting it help us understand them more.

This works because films that touch our hearts and resonate with us always are written by 'people', and the characters are brought to life by 'people', so often they are so much more than 'just a film'. Because when a film is written from the heart and played out with dignity, the whole essence behind it is spawned from fundamental human emotions, experiences, ideas and dreams. All od those things are shared with the audience and are timeless in the message they give. So yes, in this sense, films like Rocky are as much a part of our experiences as any other.

The icons of Rocky and Rambo have always been there, just as much as anything else as commonplace in my life. But as I have got older, I keep 'getting' from Sly - from his original ideas and concepts, to his new found lease of life. When something like that has always been in your life, you evolve with it and feel very much a part of it. Thats a great thing about having children too, I can see thier reactions to wtching Rocky and they mirror my own from when I first saw it. With Rocky Balboa, I certainly felt the connection to my own childhood - and watching him on the screen and seeing how Rockys world has changed so much, just like mine has, made me feel as though I was catching up with an old friend and mentor.

Its great to have seen the best years of such a wonderful guy

[thebumfromthedark]

Mrs B, that was way too much thinking for me today.

[Mrs B]

Oh I just had a moment there. Its ok Bum, put ya brain back in its box, lol

[roccobalboa]

VERY well said Mrs. Balboa!!