Where is My Rockyverse?
In its first season, Cobra Kai did a great job of expanding The Karate Kid universe into a TV series. My only real problem is that at the end of The Karate Kid, Johnny Lawrence seizes the trophy, and gives it to Danny, telling him, “You’re all right, LaRusso.” That implies Johnny’s swallowed his pride, anger, and vengeance, and now begrudgingly respects Danny. The series bypasses this moment to maintain open grievances, and doesn’t offer a callback until its sixth and final season. Otherwise, Cobra Kai’s brilliant in imagining where these characters’ lives went. So open when properties revisit characters, they vandalize both the character and – worse – their…
A Look Back: Rocky III
Writer/director Sylvester Stallone was faced with an interesting challenge when the time came to continue the story of his loveable underdog Rocky Balboa in Rocky III (1982). In Rocky (1976), Rocky Balboa is a journeyman boxer who’s squandered his talent and is given a once-in-a-million shot against heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). The championship fight becomes less about the title and more about Rocky earning respect (and self-respect) and proving that, for the first time in his life, he matters. Rocky II (1979) is the obligatory sequel to a successful movie. Given Rocky had lost the first bout against Apollo, a rematch beckoned. It would’ve been a brave filmmaker…