The Top Ten Training ScenesThe training montage - we all know and love them. Things look bleak, the odds are ridiculously high... cue inspiring quote and cheesy 80s soundtrack and boom: a hero is born. Of course as all bodybuilders and gym-goers know it's unfortunately not that simple, still nothing gets you going in the gym like the sound of the Rocky fanfare; so here are the top ten training montages/training scenes to help you keep the dream alive.10 - Bloodsport/Kickboxer  First in Bloodsport then later in Kickboxer Jean Claude Van Damme introduced us to that unnatural and frankly disgusting ability to move his legs in ways that shouldn't be possible. The scenes in these films demonstrate this ability to full effect and introduce some new and original training techniques in tried and tested kung fu film fashion. 9 - Hercules  No not the film with bodybuilder and legend George Reeves; I'm talking about the Disney incarnation. While the film might be aimed at a slightly younger audience than the others that have made this list, that doesn't take anything away from the fact that it's an inspirational and motivating flick. Blessed with that Disney optimism and chase-your-dreamsiness that would suite any bodybuilder well this film also takes cues from the Rocky series (with the title song being 'Go the Distance'), Greek mythology and the Christopher Reeves Superman' films. Most importantly though, the training scene with Phil (an obvious omage to Micky) is awesome. Oh and Meg is hot. Classic.
8 - Kill Bill 2  The Kill Bill films are Tarrantino's nod to those classic martial arts films from the seventies and the training scene in the second installment doesn't dissapoint. With choreography from the one and only Yuen Woo Ping (whose other credits on this list are Drunken Master and The Matrix) as well as ideas inspired by Chan, Lee and everyother kung fu star in-betwen. 7 - Drunken Master  Drunken Master is Jackie Chan's early classic. Following the success of Snake in the Eagle's Shadow, Chan had the unenviable task of producing even more outlandish and painful looking training methods for the sequel. He undoubtedly succeeds; hanging upside down while filling a bucket with water, balancing plates on his knees for aaaages, doing kung fu forms in what appears to be the desert, crushing wallnuts with his bare hands and doing press ups on the backs of his wrists. Leave these techniques to the masters. 6 - The Matrix  'I know Kung Fu'. For that line alone the original Matrix (before they went mental) has to be classed as one of the best 'training films' around. It also features one of the most engaging fight scenes in recent years and is probably the only training scene where the protagonist doesn't actually move at all. 5 - Rocky 3  Carl Weathers and Sly Stallone training side by side in an 80's match made in heaven - what more could you ask for? This is a training sequence that treads the fine line between extreme macho-manliness and homo eroticism in much the same way as Top Gun. When the two leads start hugging in the sea in their tank tops it has arguably crossed that line.
4 - Rocky/Rocky 2  Rocky 1 is the montage that started them all. Rocky 1 and 2 have been merged as, let's face it, they're basically the same film. With the classic character of Micky breathing down his neck and some truly original training methods including the famous 'chicken chasing'. When he runs up those steps and punches the air you can't help but punch it with him. Although you have to ask in the second one why he's being chased by all those children... 3 - Pumping Iron  The documentary that launched Arnie's career in acting has also inspired many others to follow a career in bodybuilding. Without this film the industry wouldn't be booming as it is today and half the films on this list wouldn't even exist. Displaying some serious muscle hard at work as well as Arnie's charm and natural camaradarie with fellow champ Columbu this film is indespensible in any serious bodybuilder's DVD collection. 2 - The Karate Kid  The Karate Kid, and his classic old teacher Mr Miyagi, have had as big an impact on pop culture as almost any other film, and most of the memorable moments come from the legendary training sequences. It also provided parents with a clever way to trick their kids into doing chores around the house. 1 - Rocky 4  Rocky 4 is complete over-the-top cheese. It's the pinacle of the uber-masculine 80's action films and also boasts one of the most extended and ridiculous training sequences ever recorded. As Drago trains using high tech machinery and steroids, Rocky chooses instead to go back to his routes (again) chopping down trees, lifting barrels and running up a mountain. There are actually two seperate montages set to two different sound-tracks from Vince DiCola (Transformers the Movie anyone?). It culminates with him running up a mountain and bellowing his oponent's name into the nether. A scene I tried to repeat with little success. I defy you not to get pumped watching this. |
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