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Synopsis:
At the height of the Cold War, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) avenges his friend Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) by returning to the ring to fight against a formidable Soviet adversary (Dolph Lundgren).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Boxing
• Cold War
• Sylvester Stallone Films
• Talia Shire Films

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary accurately refers to this “phony baloney from Sylvester Stallone” as “the worst, most embarrassing film of the series.” Keeping in mind that Peary’s GFTFF was published in 1986, he writes that it “is the kind of manipulative film that they’ll show in Russia to illustrate the American cinema’s absurd portrayal of both American heroes and the Russian people,” and expresses his frustration that Stallone doesn’t seem to “understand that his character need not appeal to everyone.”

He further points out the “lazy” dialogue, noting that “conversations between Rocky and wife Adrian (Talia Shire) have reached the point where long sentences last five simple words” (he’s overexaggerating to make his point), and that since “she has nothing to say,” she simply “smiles, looks worried, [and] looks pained.”

Most egregiously, Peary writes, “Stallone’s direction has also become lax, so that his film is comprised of many montages with blaring music in the background” with each “equivalent to a rock video” which “could be shown intact as just that.” (According to IMDb, one calculation found that 31.9% of the movie consists of montages!) These are either flashbacks to the earlier films in the series, or laughably simplistic comparisons between Rocky’s training style (in the harsh environs of the Russian landscape — actually filmed in Wyoming) and Drago’s “high tech” indoors training, surrounded by his support team.

Peary points out that “at least Drago — a sort of handsome, icier version of Richard Kiel’s ‘Jaws’ – is a more than satisfyingi villain” who “it’s a pleasure” to see Rocky ripping into.

There’s not much more to say about this one except that it did really well at the box office; won 5 Razzies (and was nominated for 4 more); and was re-released as a director’s cut (entitled Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago) in 2021.

Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:

• Skilled (if highly over-used) editing and montage
  
  

Must See?
No; skip this one.

Links:

• IMDb entry
• NY Times Original Review
• TCM Article (spoiler alert)
• FilmSite Overview

Synopsis:
When Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) — riding high on the hog from his previous successes — loses his heavyweight title to menacing Clubber Lang (Mr. T.), he receives help from his former nemesis (Carl Weathers) in training for the ultimate showdown.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Boxing
• Burgess Meredith Films
• Sylvester Stallone Films
• Talia Shire Films

Response to Peary’s Review:
In his review of Rocky III, Peary notes that this third film in the franchise — in which Stallone “loses his title to vicious killing machine Clubber Lang (imposing Mr. T) and, for some reason, his self-respect in the process” — is “fairly predictable” and “lacks the cohesion of [Stallone’s] earlier efforts”; but what “distinguishes it somewhat is that Rocky must cope with fear, a theme that, oddly enough, had not really been explored in boxing films.

Peary’s right that there’s not much else to say about this innocuous third installment, other than that it’s good to see Weathers and Stallone teaming up:

… it’s easy to see why Mr. T. got a TV deal:

… and there’s a silly early sequence in which Hulk Hogan appears to thoroughly thrash Stallone, only for Stallone to suddenly turn things around.

Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:

• Bill Butler’s cinematography
  
• Effective use of “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor as a theme song

Must See?
No; skip this one unless you’re a Rocky fan.

Links:

• IMDb entry
• NY Times Original Review
• TCM Article

Synopsis:
When Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) struggles to provide for his new wife (Talia Shire) and son, he reconsiders engaging in a lucrative follow-up fight against heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Boxing
• Burgess Meredith Films
• Sylvester Stallone Films
• Talia Shire Films

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary writes that this sequel to Sylvester Stallone’s Oscar-winning 1976 blockbuster is “as shamelessly sentimental as both versions of The Champ.” He points out that the “exciting final bout is, of course, the film’s highlight” (it purportedly took over eight months to edit to Stallone’s satisfaction):

… but “what’s most interesting is the relationship between Rocky and Adrian… Although she still can’t bear to watch him fight, she becomes his partner (rare for a woman in a boxing film) and the person who gives him the necessary motivation to… make the most of his life.”

With that said, you’ll most definitely “have a hard time putting up with director-writer Stallone pulling your emotional strings by subjecting Adrian to a hemorrhage and lengthy deathbed stay, from which”

SPOILER

“she recovers because of Rocky’s prayers.”

Indeed, the flaws and limitations of Stallone’s writing style — not to mention his strong Christo-patriarchal leanings — are much more evident this time around, as he attempts to provide a framework for essentially re-offering the same movie with just a few twists; everything viewers loved about the first movie is brought back for a second run, including starting with its final fight scene. With that said, lovers of Rocky and his entourage will likely enjoy a chance to spend more time with them (and to experience his inevitable success after adversity) — but this film hasn’t held up well as an essential sequel on its own.

Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:

• Bill Butler’s cinematography
  
• Good use, once again, of Philadelphia locales
  
• Bill Conti’s score

Must See?
No, but of course Rocky fans will want to check it out.

Links:

• IMDb entry
• TCM Article
• NY Times Original Review
• FilmSite Overview

Synopsis:
When an underdog boxer (Sylvester Stallone) in Philadelphia is given an opportunity to fight against a champion (Carl Weathers), he receives support from his new girlfriend (Talia Shire), Shire’s surly brother (Burt Young), and an aging local trainer (Burgess Meredith).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Boxing
• Burgess Meredith Films
• Sylvester Stallone Films
• Talia Shire Films
• Underdog

Response to Peary’s Review:
As Peary writes, “This disarming little sleeper” — “written by its unknown star Sylvester Stallone” — “smashed box-office records, won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director (John G. Avildsen), made Stallone into an instant superstar, and gave the disenfranchised of America a new folk hero.”

He notes that while “we’ve overdosed on sequels” — Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982), and Rocky IV (1985) are all discussed in GFTFF — this original film “still holds up well and is guaranteed to produce cheers and tears” given that it shows an America in which “miracles do happen.” In describing the film’s first “Miracle,” Peary writes that Rocky’s courtship with “pretty but supershy Adrian (Talia Shire)” is “as touching as Paul Newman and Pier Angeli’s in Somebody Up There Likes Me” given that “they manage to build up each other’s self-respect, and soon they both realize that they aren’t losers.”

The second “Miracle” occurs when Rocky is “offered a shot at the heavyweight title” by an “overconfident champ” and “decides to go for it.” Although nobody up until then has given him a chance, he demonstrates that by training and simply showing up, he can “become a hero to everyone who wants to rise above loser status.”

I’m about to critically revisit all the Rocky sequels (and will hold nothing back in my thoughts on them), but will concede for now that this original entry remains authentically heartwarming and contains many special, memorable moments — including Rocky chatting awkwardly with Adrian at the local pet store:

… Rocky and Adrian ice-skating in an empty rink on Thanksgiving while their high-cost ten minutes are counting down:

… Rocky wandering with Young through the aisles of a meat processing plant which will soon turn into a ready-made gym:

… and Rocky beginning his running regime along the streets of Philadelphia.

It’s well worth a revisit, and deserves its status as an underdog breakthrough film for Stallone.

Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:

• Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa
  
• Fine supporting performances
  
• James Crabe’s cinematography
  
  
• Excellent use of authentic Philadelphia locales
  
• Bill Conti’s score

Must See?
Yes, as an Oscar-winning classic.

Categories

• Genuine Classic
• Oscar Winner or Nominee

(Listed in 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die)

Links:

• IMDb entry
• NY Times Original Review
• Q Network Review
• TCM Articles