Rocky II Training Scene Microanalysis

The training montage clip I have chosen from Rocky II is perhaps one of the most monumental scenes in film history. It’s presented in a linear narrative; elapsing the passage of time to showcase the progression of the protagonist.  It involves “rising up to the challenge” and beating impossible odds once again. The scene encapsulates Rocky’s hopeful attitude, especially now that everyone is on his side. Its assimilation with the audience’s happiness, ambitions and hopefulness is apparent here. Starting off with mise-en-scene, I chose two contrasting stills of the training montage scene; in the first still, we can see Rocky being enlightened by the prospect of training again. In the next still, which is at the very end of the scene, it presents the climax where Rocky triumphantly raises his hands in the air to signal his victorious stature and confident frame of mind.

The props in this scene are kept to a bare minimum. Rocky utilises a sledgehammer in his training sequence where he consistently uses it to convey to the audience how seriously he takes his training. The scene is set in a rural area; this is a cold, heartless and sometimes deserted place that Rocky continuously goes back to toughen him up. This is the perfect setting for a character like this because of his affluent personality and kleptomaniac-style pursuits of consumerism. A style of personality that was presented to us in the beginning of the film. In a setting like this, Rocky gets to focus solely on the training at hand, instead of procrastinating or being coerced to buy something he doesn’t need. Throughout the scene, the setting continuously changes from a gym to an outside space where his manager gives him motivation and encouragement. 

 

The back-drop of a silhouetted, moon-lit background behind Rocky as he continues to do push-ups also reflects his hopeful nature and eagerness to complete the objective at hand; in this case, maximising his efficiency for a professional boxing bout. Transitioning very slowly from dim to light, the lighting shows Rocky gaining closer and closer to his penultimate goal. When he successfully gets there, the music climaxes and a still-frame of his victory stance is projected to the audience.

 

Rocky is a simple individual and that is reflected by his worn-out, discarded gym clothes. Mickey, his manager, also dons a similar outfit to Rocky whenever they’re in the gym together.

In the beginning of the scene, when Rocky has a revelation he is overzealous at the prospect of getting to train again. Coupled with Adrian’s approval, it gives him all the motivation he needs to start training again. The intense exertion on Rocky’s face as he goes through his regime shows the pure dedication he has put in. This is also interjected with Mickey supporting him through it. Mickey also chants his name and when he puts his arms up in the air, you can see that it’s not just a victory for Rocky. It’s a victory for both him and his manager. Adrian’s supportive nature is also dealt with honesty. It shows that she knows how much boxing means to Rocky. It also shows a bond of trust between Rocky and Adrian.