Movie Matchups: The Original Star Trek Films vs. The Rocky Films
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Star Trek
TMC-4 — 9 years ago(October 08, 2016 01:32 AM)
https://dejareviewer.com/2013/05/28/movie-matchups-the-original-star-trek-films-vs-the-rocky-films/
Space Seed vs. Rocky
Space Seed and Rocky are basically about a battle of wills between two adversaries, which ends in a virtual draw. Khan Noonian Singh is a genetically enhanced superhuman who puts himself and his followers into cryogenic freeze for 200 years hoping to find a new civilization to conquer. Apollo Creed is an undefeated boxing champion who puts his reputation on the line in a novelty fight celebrating the 200th anniversary of Americas creation.
Khan is physically and mentally more powerful, but he underestimates Kirk's resourcefulness and determination.Khan finds a worthy opponent in James T. Kirk, captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise, though Khan constantly underestimates his resourcefulness. Apollo decides to fight an unknown boxer named Rocky. Apollo is so confident that hes got the fight in the bag that he doesnt notice Rockys determination to win until its too late.
The conflict between Khan and Kirk comes to a head when they have a big fight in Engineering. After several punishing blows from each of them, Kirk finally gains the upper hand just in time to save his ship from destruction. In their big fight, Apollo and Rocky keep going back and forth and they look pretty evenly matched. Just as Rocky is on the verge of victory, the final bell prevents him from delivering the knockout blow.
Khan isnt truly defeated because Kirk gives him what he wants: a chance to rule an entire planet. Apollo technically wins the fight, but Rocky wins a moral victory by going the distance through all 15 rounds something no other fighter had done.
Space Seed is the episode that inspired producer Harve Bennett in what direction to take the series with Star Trek II. It turned out to be the guiding framework for virtually every other film that followed, highlighting action mixed with psychology, romance, and classic literary references. The first Rocky film also established all of the hallmarks of the series, and it still holds up as one of the best sports films of all time.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan vs. Rocky II
Khan wants revenge on Kirk, even if it means his own demise.The sequel to the first film is the ultimate rematch between two larger-than-life characters. Khan is bitter after being stranded on a desolate planet for years and watching many of the people he loves die. He wants revenge on Kirk. Apollo receives numerous letters from people criticizing him for his lackluster performance in his fight against Rocky. He is eventually goaded into seeking a rematch.
Kirk tries to adjust to his new life as a teacher, but he yearns to be back in the captains chair going on interstellar adventures. Rocky tries to parlay his newfound fame into lucrative commercials, but he cant read very well and thus cant memorize his lines. Hes not sure if this is the life he wants.
Kirk learns that he has a son from a woman he previously had a relationship with and then lost. She offers some helpful advice when Kirk is at his lowest point. Rockys wife Adrian falls into a coma after giving birth to their son. Rocky worries that he will lose her. Thankfully, she recovers and gives him the encouragement he needs to defeat Apollo.
In their final showdown, Kirk cripples Khans ship and then escapes in the nick of time. In their rematch, Rocky and Apollo knock each other to the mat and struggle to get up in their dazed, exhausted state. Rocky barely manages to get back on his feet in time to be named the victor.
Star Trek II is a major improvement on just about everything that came before it. It is the reason why the Star Trek film series has had such longevity. Great storytelling, compelling characters, elegant music, and still-impressive special effects elevate this film to a pinnacle few other science fiction films have achieved. Rocky II is a solid second effort, though it falls short in terms of originality. While it does move the story forward, its tone and structure are virtually identical to the first film.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock vs. Rocky III
The third film has a much less interesting villain and doesnt live up to the first two films, but its still a fun ride. Kruge is a Klingon upstart who wants to make a name for himself and win glory by taking on the Federation. Clubber Lang is a young boxer who viciously rises through the ranks to challenge Rockys title.
Kruges men kill Kirks son in cold blood. Clubber causes Rockys mentor to die of a heart attack.
Kirks strategy for defeating Kruge involves destroying his own ship something Kruge would consider unthinkable. Rockys strategy for defeating Clubber is to get him angry and take as much of a beating as possible until Clubber wears out something anyone in their right mind would consider insane (Homer Simpson doesnt count).
Kirk loses his space battle with Kruge because the Enterprises automated systems werent adequately prepared for combat. But Kirk wins a fistf