The Rocky Anthology: Quicktakes

[Markgway]

The Rocky Anthology 3.5/5

Rocky - Good, gritty drama, very 70s in style and execution. Bit dated now, thus, and dramatically overwrought, the characters shout a lot, but Stallone's underdog is easy to root for, and the underrated Carl Weathers is great as Apollo.

Rocky II - The least of the series suffers from being almost identical to the original in plot, pace and execution. The training sequences and climactic fight are class, but it takes a long time to get there. If Stallone had won in the original they could've skipped this movie really.

Rocky III - The most entertaining of the series and a fresher movie than Part II. Mr. T is a great villain and Stallone's screenplay packs plenty punch into 100 mins. Some silliness with Hulk Hogan, but the crux of the story: a fighter learning to confront fear and reclaim his glory is as effective as ever.

Rocky IV - An 80s MTV-style mesh of bruising boxing bouts and rock video training montages... but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Dolph is a scary bugger and the final fight has to be seen to be believed. In real life both fighters would be dead by the end of Round One.

Rocky V - Much maligned sequel... but I thought it was worthy of some respect. Stallone tried to bring the series back down to earth but took a pasting for it. No one's favourite... but I 'got' what he was trying to do. A shame that Stallone has also turned against it (as actors are prone to do).

Rocky Balboa - Curiously overrated and belated last entry possibly favoured due to nostalgia (16 years since Part V) and goodwill to Stallone who's own career mirrors that of Rocky's. I found the film pleasent and I really wanted to like it... but it felt a bit stale and pointless.

[saltysam]

3 is my favourite-fast moving and short and to the point. Rocky Balboa is not great but better than i expected tbh.