Rocky: Films (1976-2006)

Rocky: Films (1976-2006)

Rocky (1976)

Dir. John G. Avildsen

Despite being heavily associated with the combat  sport of boxing, there's very little actual in-the-ring action in the first Rocky film, and what is present is embarrassingly fake.

Nevertheless, the film itself is still a roaring success. It gave the then thirty-year-old Sylvester Stallone his first iconic role. His other long-running franchise, Rambo, might be more explosive (literally), but the not-very-bright boxer, the thick-as-shit underdog was something that the actor personified beautifully. It was also written by him, so credit due for that.

The themes of self-respect and the need to prove a point — not to the world, that's merely a by-product, but to Rocky himself — are what drive the narrative in the right direction.

Many of the supporting cast are equally impressive, giving the story extra heart and deeper emotion when needed. For me, it's a film that fully deserves its lauded status.

- Talia Shire as Adrian -

Rocky II (1979)

Dir. Sylvester Stallone

Not only did Stallone reprise his dual roles of writer and star, he took up residence in the director's chair, too.

At first it seems as if he didn't do himself any favours by reusing in the opening sequence the well-earned emotional high of the first film's ending, but the contrast of what follows sets the mind straight. It documents a difficult fall back to reality for the 'Italian Stallion', who struggles with some old-fashioned values and the overpowering need to be a manly-man.

Heavyweight Champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) is sore, his pride not just his face - he wants a rematch, but Rocky rolls to the sound of a different bell.

In some ways it's too similar to the original, but leave enough time between the two and you'll feel the full impact of the story. The last half hour is superb stuff, and I don't even like boxing!

- Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed - 

Rocky III (1982)

Dir. Sylvester Stallone

Being on top makes you a target, so all eyes are on Rocky, including the fierce, burning gaze of Clubber Lang (Mr. T - pictured below). Clubber wants a shot at the title and he's got the fire to make it happen. Rocky is ill-prepared, like a writer without a muse, but help comes from an unexpected source.

Before Part III gets good we have to suffer the farce of Rocky versus Hulk Hogan's Thunderlips and the woeful dialogue that plagues about half the film.

Of the good, Burgess Meredith being the gruff manager is always fun, but what makes Part III really worth seeing is the legendary Mr T. It's the best performance I've ever seen him give and, in all honesty, he's perfect for the role.

- "Apollo Who?" -

Rocky IV (1985)

Dir. Sylvester Stallone

I must've accidentally pickled up Rocky IV: Musical Montage Edition by mistake. Either that or the film single-handedly tried to define everything that was bad about 1980s sports movies.

It's a flashy, spangly disaster that has many of the proper ingredients in place elsewhere, but the resultant pie fails to satiate. A dressing of political bullshit doesn't help.

Dolph Lundgren as Rocky's opponent, Ivan Drago, gets to be one half of a USA versus Russia approach that was handled clumsily.

It was the first proper role for the Swedish actor, but he gets very little dialogue. He's a puppet, whose on-screen wife would soon become Stallone's real world wife.

- "I must break you." -

Rocky V (1990)

Dir. John G. Avildsen

The Rocky series attempted to go full circle, returning the retired Stallion to his roots while simultaneously acknowledging that changes have occurred since his rise to fame.

It's a decent idea, but it's barely watchable at times. Seeing an absorbed, aged fighter trying to live vicariously through someone else is depressing for all the wrong reasons.

We finally get to see him be a father for a while, too. However, the downside of that is having an angsty teen's story sandwiched between the square peg in a round hole scenario. Not good.

And what's worse, movie fight scenes are an art unto themselves, but in Rocky V they're like blindfolded finger-painting with boxing gloves on. If all of that's not cringe-worthy enough, the money-hungry manager in his limo is like a parody of a parody. Yikes.

- Woe is me. -

Rocky Balboa (2006)

Dir. Sylvester Stallone

Rocky's had his share of comebacks, but none as staggering as Balboa; its emotional power eclipses even the first film.

He's retired from the sport, half of his heart is missing, his son is estranged in all but name, and the shadow he casts when he walks by the places he used to thrive is bigger than him.

But he retains his self-respect and keeps on keeping on, taking the punches that life dishes out like a true champion.

Happily, Paulie (Burt Young) is no longer the goofy comic relief that he became in the middle films. He's on hand to lend support and drive a bolstering wedge into the sentimental, sombre mood when it's most suited.

 - Nothing's over 'til it's over. -