新概念文化大爆炸：男兒的熱血

Since the introduction of boxing in ancient times, it has mirrored the struggle of every man who has ever gone toe to toe with an opponent, be it of flesh or the spirit. Boxing can be seen as a metaphor for every fight in a man’s life, those moments where it doesn’t come down to equipment or trick plays, but all that’s left when life is stripped down to the bare essentials: grit, determination, and heart.

The parallel between boxing and life is also what makes the boxing movie such great cinema. Whether or not you’ve ever stepped into a boxing gym, the themes of human triumph, defeat, and perseverance inevitably resonate. We connect to the characters because we’ve all been the scrappy underdog pinned against the ropes at one time or another. And we all want to believe we can make a comeback and become the champ.

No way we could make a list of the best boxing movies without kicking it off with the quintessential Rocky series. Now there are plenty of barroom debates on which Rocky is the best. Some guys go with number 2 because Rocky actually beats Apollo Creed. Others claim number 3 is the best simply because Mr. T is in it. Each Rocky movie has its own charm, and you’ll feel truly inspired by the time the credits start rolling.

The story of the film itself parallels the story of its protagonist; counted out when it hit the theaters, the movie has gathered more and more fans as time has gone by. It’s an incredibly inspiring story. After an injury caused James Braddock to plummet from the top of the boxing world, he struggled to survive and provide for his family during the Great Depression. At nearly the breaking point, he gets a chance to fight again. Everyone expected him to be an easy opponent, but a desperate and hungry man can be extremely dangerous. He wins the fight and continues to win, leading him to fight in the heavyweight championship. Braddock’s true story is about more than boxing; his rise, fall, and dream of redemption mirrored the whole nation’s hopes.

Based on the autobiography of middleweight boxing champ Jack LaMotta, Raging Bull pulls no punches in its portrayal of a violent sport and the detrimental effects it can have on a man. Robert DeNiro gives a raw performance of a man who’s filled with anger, sexual jealousy, and pure violence. Director Martin Scorsese created a film that’s so violent and disturbing. It sort of leaves you numb at the end. But it causes you to think and reflect upon the ancient Platonic idea that sexual appetite and anger must be tempered with maturity and wisdom or else a man will be driven to ruin.