Sports Films that Never Fail to Excite Us
Sports are a big part of human culture. Since we first began forming civilizations, physical competitions have been a staple of these societies. Whether it be team sports, athletic competitions, or martial arts, we thrive on outperforming each other, or watching others attempt to do so.
The world of sports is filled with drama. From rival fighters in boxing, to football games, to rising stars in any sport, there is a lot of inherent potential for investment in a sport competition. So, is it any surprise that filmmakers have drawn inspiration from the world of sport?
Over the years, many films have been made, following the lives of athletes, real or fictional. In this article, we would like to take a look at the best of the best, and talk about a few of the sports films that never fail to get us excited.
Rocky (1976)
Written by Sylvester Stallone, Rocky is one of the most iconic films of the 20th century. Detailing the story of a small-time boxer who gets a chance at the big leagues, "Rocky" is the classic underdog story that we all love to watch. The film came out at the perfect time, when boxing was very popular. Some of the best boxers were throwing hands in the 70s and 80s, so Rocky capitalized on a culture that loved the sport.
Of course, today, the sport still remains incredibly popular. Boxing fans can check out one of the numerous online sports betting websites, and find that their favorite sport is the number one martial art to bet on. Of course, these fans might also find that these sportsbooks all double as online casinos, where gamblers can play all their favorite games, from slots to poker.
"Rocky" spawned plenty of sequels, some good, some bad, some so bad they are good. However, very few live up to the original picture.
Creed (2015)
Continuing the topic of "Rocky," in 2015 Sylvester Stallone reprised his role as Rocky Balboa. However, rather than getting in the ring, this time around he serves as the mentor for the next generation. Adonis Creed, the son of Rocky’s rival and friend, Apollo, decides to go professional. To do this, he seeks the help of one of the former heavyweight champion, Rocky Balboa. Despite being reticent to help, Rocky eventually agrees, and trains Adonis to fight the current heavyweight.
Boxing remains an incredibly popular sport in the 21st century, though MMA is closing in on its popularity. Upcoming boxing matches are likely to keep us on edge, especially with Anthony Joshua hungry to get his belt back. Much like "Rocky," the "Creed" franchise has already spawned two sequels.
Ford v Ferrari (2019)
The last installment on our list is for the fans of motorsports out there. "Ford v Ferrari," or Le Mans ’66, stars some of the best actors in Hollywood today. Matt Damon and Christian Bale steal the show as Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles respectively.
The story is a heavily fictionalized depiction of the lives and accomplishments of Shelby, a visionary car designer whose goal involves building a car that can take down Ferrari, the reigning champions of 60s motor sports. He teams up with Miles, a driver whose courage and passion make him one of the best. Their goal is to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans event in 1966.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of motorsport’s most notable and prestigious events. So much so, that even the virtual series has gotten worldwide acclaim. For a long time, Ferrari dominated the event. So, in essence, this film is another underdog story. The term underdog stems from sports betting, so it only makes sense that sports films focus on telling the stories of the “little guy.”
"Ford v Ferrari" is an excellently put-together story, with high-octane, adrenaline-pumping car races. The film received four Academy Award nominations, and quite a few other prestigious film awards. Any fan of motorsports or sports films should check it out.