MovieChat Forums > Rocky II (1979) Discussion > What made Mickey so keen to risk Rocky b...

What made Mickey so keen to risk Rocky being hurt Pwermanently?

posted 3 years ago by FootOfDavros (8255)
12 replies | jump to latest

Mickey makes a very odd one eighty spin in this movie. It's not like Adrian's consistent telling Rocky she doesn't want him to fight before saying she's happy for him to fight.

Mickey literally slaps the visually impaired Rocky on the side of the face, tells him he didn't see that coming from a broken down old timer like him and that the champ would do him some pwermanent damage...

And this is before a rematch with Apollo is even on the table. This is just when Rocky is feeling like a Kentucky fried idiot and is thinking about just doing some fighting again.

Yet as soon as Apollo calls out the Italian scallion, or whatever he's calling himself, Mickey has completely forgot everything he said! "I think we ought to knock his block off" he screams out Popeye style.

Absolutely. But what changed? Was he just after a big pay cheque? Why was he so keen for the semi-blind Rocky to step back in the ring?

[–] aavfreak (3334) 3 years ago

This is everything I don't like about the Rocky series and inspirational sports movies in general. It's the idea that if you're motivated enough, or inspired enough, or angry enough, or "want something" enough, then you can suddenly become the best in the world at a thing. This despite any actual limitations such as being blind in one eye and not being able to see a punch coming from that side.

All you need is the Eye of the Tiger! WTF is that even supposed to mean? Apollo talking shit? "I think we ought to knock his block off!" Blind eye be damned.

Cue motivational music over inspirational training montage and voilà, instant world champion, no stereopsis required.

[–] HelpMeRhonda (1158) 3 years ago

I think he did it to help Rocky, because Rocky needed the help. After he thought about the method of Rocky fighting orthodox, he thought they’d have a shot.

[–] seagal72 (1968) 3 years ago

I think that after Mickey convinced Rocky (with the slap) that he shouldn't fight anymore (plus the fact that Balboa conceded to such) it pained him to see Rocky losing what little scrap of dignity he had left, 'by helping out around the gym (emptying spit buckets, etc) and getting mocked by the other fighters there.

Seeing Creed taunt/badmouth Balboa on TV (in front of potential millions) was the last straw for Mickey (realising that Rocky's pride was just as important as his health)

[–] redban (6322) 2 years ago

There was a part where Rocky takes the spit bucket away, in his first day helping out at the gym. We see Mick watch Rocky sympathetically.

I think Mick understood that Rocky had nothing else besides fighting. That’s why he decided to train Rocky after initially saying no

[–] FootOfDavros (8255) 2 years ago

So you're saying he thought that if Rocky was permanently brain damaged by Apollo at least he'd be non the wiser of his fallen status?

[–] Adster (262) 2 years ago

it was not about brain damage it was about his bad eye. Brain damage talk didn't even happen till rocky 5.

Mickey thought Rocky just wanted to fight and take on the champ again.. then when Apollo comes on the TV it came about Apollo wanting to face rocky that he was a coward. Mickey knew rocky wasn't a coward and wanted to face him but he and Adrian were the only things stopping him. this swang Mickey the other way when it became about that

[–] FootOfDavros (8255) 2 years ago

But he told Rocky he'd face pwermanent damage.

The point about his eye was that Rocky wouldn't see a callosal hook coming in from a pro fighter - never mind just a slap from a broken down old man like him. He wanted to protect Rocky from serious brain shuddering injury. Well at least he did at that point in the film...

[–] Adster (262) 2 years ago

he was talking about his eye going blind as in permanent damage, that is the way I took it anyway. there never was talk about brain damage at all. magically in 3 he had surgeries and all to make himself look better and have his eyes look perfect.

[–] BOandBarbecue (2264) 2 years ago

creed making ass of rocky made micky piss off!!

[–] Interlepos (1808) 2 years ago

It was a risk, and Mickey was willing to take it to help Rocky.

[–] MovieChatUser497 (18943) 2 years ago

I think Mickey just gave into Apollo’s taunting.

[–] strntz (12474) 2 years ago

Yet as soon as Apollo calls out the Italian scallion, or whatever he's calling himself, Mickey has completely forgot everything he said! "I think we ought to knock his block off" he screams out Popeye style.

It's a year too late, but let me apologize now for my mistake. Thanks.