This critique really hit me deep. The Rocky movies were inspiring to me growing up, and that earnesty that Stallone portrays is part of what makes it so relatable. A lot of us have been in that point where we've felt like nobody, and I liked Rocky, so it felt okay to be a nobody when I saw him. It was more important to just be you than socially acceptable.

I appreciate this on two levels. I normally only make videos, because editing is my strongest format-- unfortunately, they poorly lend themselves to long narratives. For years I've written stories, trashing them five or six pages in, because they're garbage. Inability to express yourself, coupled with inadequacy, feels awful. Producing garbage work makes you feel like garbage. Somehow, though, I'm finally writing something I don't hate, if not like. It's poor, but workable. Relatively, "this isn't awful" feels like "this is Shakespearean." You offered solid advice and motivation. Means a lot, my guy

Funny, I know exactly the other video as I’m subbed to their channel, and this is a strong refutation of their statements. You should put that channel in the video or description though. I don’t believe it would be KZfaq drama as you stated, but a serious discussion. Your refute was made with respect and concisely.

I was watching this movie with my dad awhile back and he was kind of pointing out some of the same things you do, about how the movie is really about how Rocky is down and out and how he overcomes that. By the end of the movie, I realized that Rocky really has nothing to do with boxing. And I think that's the mistake I made thinking about it, and I'm guessing the other KZfaqr you mentioned has made the same mistake. The boxing is just the easiest part to latch onto. But if Rocky had been a baker or figure skater or high school teacher, the movie could've followed the same beats and still been great.

Bro I know you have a small amount of viewers and all but I hope you never stop making content. You are one of my favorite youtubers and I wish you are always able to make content.

That line you said "He bothers a girl who clearly isnt interested in him. Simply because she isnt mean to him" hit me harder than i wanted. Not because it wasnt something i noticed in myself. But because hearing it from another reminds me someone else may notice that in me... That was a deep line.

As I see, both videos are right. And only by having the full picture one can see that it is not actually a question of a formula, but a question of how to model an analysis. Not only this video is better after watching it's counterpart, but it's counterpart also benefits by showing how flexible writing can be. You are not creating drama at all. You are just fueling a very interesting discussion. I hope both channels keep the good work.

Been consuming memes and 5 minute videos since I saw _Last Jedi_ - This spectacular analysis makes me ready to watch movies again, perhaps my deepest love. That's an overstatement and I should have used a boxing analogy, but this video's 10/10. Thanks.

This is the best analysis of why Rocky is such a timeless masterpiece I've ever seen. They just don't make em like this anymore. Thanks Strat Edgy. I'd love to see you do the whole series (yes, even 5) :).

Six years. For six years this Gym was Rocky's REAL home. Where his Father Figure was. Everything that kept him grounded, that gave him any sense of purpose and belonging... revolved around this gym. Anyone who doesn't understand the impact of losing that locker on Rocky, has never been part of anything of value in their entire lives. To Rocky, that Locker is everything. That Locker IS Rocky, condensed. Without it, he doesn't even have himself. Sure, he's a Bum. But for Six Years he's been a Bum with a Locker, in a Gym, with a Mentor and other Boxers around him. And without that Locker, he's just a Bum. It actually angers me, for reasons I myself don't even understand, that there are people who exist that can't understand how much of an impact this moment is to Rocky, to the Film and to the Viewers.

I needed this.

"Apollo Creed is not his enemy, he's just the guy giving Rocky an opportunity" Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Granted I haven't watched Rocky in 15 years, but that's an angle I never once even considered.

Dude, you just made me relive the Rocky movie, man I love that movie

The first 2 Rocky movies are my favorite movies ever. I've felt exactly how Rocky feels in the first of this movie for so long in my life that it's pushed me so close to falling over the edge time and time again. Somehow, by the grace of God, I haven't yet, and when I'm at my lowest, somehow, this movie shows itself to me in one way or another, now being no different, and I know I have to keep going. I'm glad to see the care you took into breaking this movie down because it is a masterpiece that deserves its place in the greatest movies of all time. I hope things are going well for you, Strat.

I teared up a bit as you mentioned your son saying "get up rocky, get up!". Your narration was excellent and made me excited to know of rocky again.

Oh Man! you just blew my mind, because now that you have brought the central theme of this movie so clearly before me, the name APOLLO CREED takes on so much meaning! nothing is accidental i love it. Thanks Strat-Edgy

Christ I'm getting all emotional with tears in my eyes just listening to you talk about this awesome movie. I really need to watch it.

I don't know why the other four videos are hidden or missing for me, but damn, man. These really are great.

Great video! I love the whole series and I hate to admit this, IV is my personal favorite, it’s a total summer flick, but none of them stack up to how much of a masterpiece the first one is.

Loved thissss! Thank youuu!! I felt like I am in a film making school which I never had a chance to go to yet.. 🙏🏼 A lot to write down and keep in mind and heart about writing movies ❤️hello from Türkiye 🇹🇷 thank you 🙏🏼waiting for more of this stuff pleaese 🙋🏻‍♀️

Thanks for the analysis video, Strat Edgy. This really opened my eyes on the stuff I've been doing wrong this whole time. I've planned out all the themes for my book, but I've been grinding for two months in trying to make a earth-shattering beginning. But this video made me realise that in the process of making shit blow up in the first few pages, you lose the human aspect of the story i.e. the character arcs. You need a good hook, yes, but that can be done by opening the story with a simple scene showing the character and what he/she is. Even the simplest scenes can be very visually imposing, like the opening of Rocky.

i really liked this. i've also seen the other video that you're refering too and I couldn't agree with you more. You usually don't write masterpieces by accident. You might be able to land a strike by rolling a bowling ball without any thought sometimes, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't develop a technique or formula to do it consistently. Not only is this a bad way of thinking when trying to master a craft, but it also feels like you're just underestimating the person that manages to master great feats of skill whether it is through writing, sport, art etc. There are many ways to do something well, but saying you don't need a technique or a formula to do that is blasphemous. When you want to figure out how to do something really well, you figure out a formula for it. There may be a few different formulas to do it well, but they all have a technique or formula they follow that make it good. One of the simplest formulas is using conflict to generate interest in an event. You could show a guy shoot a dinosaur, but it isn't interesting and simply pointless. If you showed the dinosaur try to eat his kid and then the guy shoots it then it becomes interesting because the event was about the guy trying to save his kid. Adding conflicts to make events more interesting is one of the most basic formulas for making stories more interesting. The entire point of formulas is to find out how to make something good and explain it in simple terms. They are created for a reason. Masterpieces aren't made by disregarding formulas and writing randomly. Formulas reach to the core of what makes an experience good. thank you for showing it in use and breaking down how it is used well in this movie

I love your videos man, they always entertain and inform me.

Such a good video, you're a genius man. Amazing movie too. So classic and your interpretation is gold.

One of my favorite films of all time, properly analyzed? Instant likes from me man, lol. Great video.

I had to force myself to stop watching, cause I want to watch the movie. Your video is that captivating.

This was the video that made me subscribe orignally!

The video you're arguing against didn't say there's no formula. He said don't slavishly follow the page numbers given in Save The Cat. He didn't say there's are not significant events before the big forge is offered to Rocky. And that moment is indeed the "catalyst", and it is delayed beyond write it usually occurs. That's the life changing moment that pushes him from one reality into another. That did not happen before that moment, for the boxing plot. Stallone put the love story as the driving narrative of the first half, and the instant that's resolved (when they kiss) he begins the big fight narrative

I've just found about you recently through your Fallout and Thief vids and your content is pretty good, I especially enjoyed this one and you definitely hit a nail on the head with it. Rocky is the quintessential underdog story for me and his success feels more than earn by the end of it, not to mention the iconic main theme that speaks for itself.

This video is great but there’s one glaring issue. The video you’re referring to, Just Write’s essay on Rocky. You seem to be misrepresenting it. For instance when Just Write said the inciting incident is in 55th minute that’s the external conflict. His fight with Apollo Creed. What you’re talking about is his internal conflict. And Just Writes video makes it abundantly clear about that. He mentions that he loves the fact that the first 55 minutes are all to build and develop Rocky’s character. In fact he says Rocky is his favourite film of all time. Most filmmakers would have put that scene as the inciting incident but Rocky doesn’t and that’s what makes it so good.

Really great analysis.

this dude has got me all through corona and doesn't get the recognition he deserves. I would kill and die for strat-edgy

I saw some of your game videos and really liked your channel. but this.... this is golden. keep up the great work, thank you so much for this video!

"Iconic like a Ubisoft hat" lol

Fuck. Watching the climax makes me cry. Watching you analyse it makes me almost cry. That fucking song man. That fucking song

You are definitely one of my favorite people to watch on KZfaq always interesting

THANK YOU. This was both entertaining & helpful. And on point!

I made a bet with a couple friends from Philly that you were from Philly as well just based on the accent? Did I win? Also I'm loving the different variety of videos, I never thought I'd find myself enjoying a film video from someone I subbed to for gaming content, I think the analysis you give is compelling, enough to make me watch the film again with a new perspective on it.

I've seen the video you were talking about, excited to see your take on it

You have a really good mic! I love how your voice sounds through my planar headphones.

You think it could make an interesting video to do a Rocky/Creed film comparison? In the last fight Adonnis told Rocky he wanted to keep figthing in order to prove to himself and everyone else that he wasn't a mistake. This is very similar to Rocky's character motivation, only before that line, I never suspected Adonis sufffered from the same poor self-esteem issues that Rocky did. It woudl be cool if you could make a video on that I think.

great commentary. thank you so much for sharing your insight

I love discussion so I'm glad you made this response!

This was beautifully told. You get the character. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

I enjoyed this tangential video, I subscribed after watching your video essay on "AAA" game design and am by no means a writer and found it interesting. It's awfully appropriate this video is delivered in an authentic Delaware Valley accent. The city of Philadelphia really relates on a personal, almost cultural level to Rocky's underdog narrative and low self esteem in a way, it can be compared to the city's well known inferiority complex - which extends into New Castle County, Delco, Bucks and South Jersey. I'm a "Delaware Valleyan" living far from home and I sometimes have people ask me why we take pride in the statue of him near the Art Museum. It's clear to me why he's been co-opted into city culture.

GREAT video!!! Thank you for your insight - perfect

great video, btw. thanks for taking the time. well done.

damn you, Im gonna have to watch this movie.... AGAIN

The perfect synopsis to the perfect movie

Interesting critique but you’re reading way to much into what the other KZfaqr said. He never said rocky was structurless and he never said you don’t need structure. He’s simply pointing out that if you follow a book (Save The Cat in this case) at the behest of emotion and character development, you will cheat your audience of getting to know your character. Thanks for the video, I’ll check out your other stuff.

Yeah, like some of the other commentators, I can see in this video a love for the film and also an appreciation of its structural characteristics. But I don't see a satisfactory answer to the question of "Why You Need a Formula". It's more like "Why You Can't Avoid a Formula". Either the point wasn't made, or the point that was intended isn't represented accurately in the title. At least that's what it looks like to me and I hope someone else points out my mistake if I've made one. Regardless, I did enjoy revisiting one of my favorite films of all time.

I commented on that same video and pretty much had the same thoughts. My biggest gripe is that so much of the beginning of that movie is prologue and if necessary should have been worked more into the actual story.

I like your passion and analysis.

I think this is my favourite film

Jesus Christ almighty you nailed it brother.

this video made my day thanks

I legit mentally choked up. Rocky is a working class hero.

I was going to get high in a minute, but got too immersed to get up. You do miracles, brother. edit: I never thought I could love the movie even more you almost made me cry you fuck!

I wanna watch Rocky now. Thanks Strat.

Thank you for this. Yesterday I saw for the first time "Just Write" 's video about Rocky and I was ok... that's all wrong, maybe I should make a video about Rocky. But then, I came across yours and... my mind and my soul got relieved! 😄 You see, when someone seems to believe that an inciting incident has to have a certain form (an actual invitation), that's what I call formulaic. What if the invitation came near the end of the second act? Would he still call it an inciting incident and all the rest 'backstory'? Again, thank you, thank you! I've subscribed and I'm going to watch your other videos too.

"exposition" is usually defined as telling, rather than showing. When a character explains things. It's not usually taken to mean something that shows who the character is. Also, I think you're missing the point a little of the Just Write video. It wasn't criticizing Rocky at all, it was criticizing the Save the Cat formula. It's saying that if you write something to follow Save the Cat or another formula, your work will feel soulless and formulaic. Rocky has a structure but it has Stallone's heart and soul in it, which you don't get if you write to follow a formula or chase a trend. That's what the other video was saying.

You are fucking amazing dude

"It must be those phones"

I came for video game content, but stuck around for writing stuff. I'm writing a 5 part series right now (in one go, because I'm a sadist I suppose) and I outline each book with a structure that ends up taking up about 50ish pages (roughly one for each scene) and then I basically fill in the blanks and then, voila, books. Anyway, just wanted to say that after listening to several of your many video essays, I know you know structure, so I'm looking forward to the next video in this series

Any chance for comment story in Spec Ops: The line and explain why movie narration not working very well in games?

Interesting critique but you’re reading way to much into what the other reviewer said. And he clearly never said rocky was structurless and he never said you don’t need structure. He’s simply pointing out that if you follow a book (Save The Cat in this case) at the behest of emotion and character development, you will cheat your audience of getting to know your character. Thanks for the video I’ll check out your other stuff

Dammit! I know have to rewatch Rocky.

If every movie had each action beat on the same page as every other movie, what would be the point of watching movies? They would all be the same.

Amazing video.

9:00 this face breaks my heart man!

I watched your video before the one you were referencing, and it didn't even make sense to me why you were explaining it. Yes, of course stories need structure, few of us respond well to jazz music storytelling. I think there's just been a knee-jerk reaction in the modern auteur culture in which we all pretend to be experts about everything: we like when someone tells us that "Save the Cat" screenwriting is cynical and awful, and thus any writing formula=emoji movie. Anyway, thanks for the thoughtful video, and please keep up the good work. I will forever and always be in favor of a moderate take, even if it doesn't bring the kids clicking.

have you reached out to sly about this? would be good to get his take on this video.

Since you appreciate formulas, "How to compose a successful critical commentary according to Anatol Rapoport": 1) You should attempt to re-express your target’s position so clearly, vividly, and fairly that your target says, “Thanks, I wish I’d thought of putting it that way. 2) You should list any points of agreement (especially if they are not matters of general or widespread agreement). 3) You should mention anything you have learned from your target. 4) Only then are you permitted to say so much as a word of rebuttal or criticism.

0:53 And he's surprised about the conspiracy recommendations.

Only 96 comments? People are missing out

Rocky breaks his nose for the first time in the first round... Hmmm

🔥🔥🔥🔥

21:06 The fight is 15 rounds.

What is the song that plays at the start of the video?

Hi

Second!!!!!

Just come across the channel this week and you sir definitely deserve more subs, but your varied range of videos that promote rational thinking, nope can't monetise you sorry. :(

*by accident. Not "on accident".

Right, so here's what we've learned from this video: 1] A youtuber made a mistake. 2] Rocky is a conventional film. 3] Nothing that has convinced me that formula is in any way necessary.

i watched the first rocky when i was like 18 or so, and with each passing rewatch over the years (now 31 years old) it hits me deeper every time.- this is a hell of a movie as you said about a person who nobody gives a shit not even himself, finding love, friendship, fortune and mostly self respect, the boxing is secondary (dont get me wrong i love fighting) but even though it is secondary, it gives more drama, because boxing is the poor's man ticket to salvation, and for most of boxers it takes them to glory and brings them back worst than when they started that trip.- i love your reviews this was a really good one, a very solid one.- i would like it to see if you could make a similar one with CREED, it is a drama but not as heavy as this one, but a good movie.- thanks again for another solid and heartfelt review about one of the many movies i love and hold a special place in my heart