Cinema is littered with boxing movies. But it is likely fair to say that the Rocky franchise is perhaps the most well known. Each film offers something for everybody. Even if you are not a boxing fan you don’t need to be to appreciate them. Because they are about so much more than the sport.
Below, I reveal my personal ranking of the tales of Rocky Balboa (Creed films excluded).
Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Rocky IV – Rocky vs Drago: The Director’s Cut
The newly released director’s cut of Rocky IV delivers a much more authentic Rocky movie than the standard version. Sylvester Stallone, who directed this sequel, admitted that he focused on “speed” to deliver as much entertainment for the fans as possible. Unfortunately, that also meant sacrificing a lot of much needed dialogue to flesh out the characters and the dynamic between them. But that has been rectified here.
Rocky vs Drago is still an absurd entry in the Rocky franchise. I mean, how did this little club fighter who once struggled to beat even the most abysmal of opponents improve so much that he could now beat 7 foot fighters doped up on steroids?
Nevertheless, this new version gets the balance of action and all the little dramatic moments and nuances that made the first two films work just right. The theatrical cut, for me, contains the best action sequences of the whole series. And that does not change here. In fact, Rocky vs Drago makes it even more compelling by minimising the cheese and upping the tone and mood to a point that it forces you to take it more seriously than you once did.
Rocky IV (theatrical version)
Still a fun 1980’s nostalgic piece, Rocky IV captures the aura of the decade very well. But by this point, Stallone threw away the ingredients that formed it’s predecessors to make a rather superficial revenge story. It even introduces a subplot regarding Rocky feeling guilty for not throwing in the towel to save Apollo from death…even though we clearly saw Drago push away the referee when he wanted to step in and save him, himself! It just did not make any sense. And it seems that Stallone saw that the same way when he removed that subplot completely for the director’s cut.
Rocky III
The dramatic roots of the original Rocky was starting to wane and were heavily substituted for more action, as the 1980’s often begged for. But that does not stop Rocky III from being one of the most memorable sequels. Mr. T as the angry Clubber Lang is hungry for success and to take all that Rocky possessed including his recognition as the world’s best fighter.
For the first time ever, Balboa’s core being is explored. His admitting to being afraid for the first time in his life by an opponent lends the character a certain degree of vulnerability which ups the stakes.
The blossoming friendship between former foe Apollo Creed and Rocky is a little hard to buy given how much of a living hell Apollo made his life in the last movie. But thankfully, that connection of unity is further explored in the next movie which convincingly solidifies.
Rocky II
Three years after the original film that went on to win the oscar for Best Picture, Rocky II was developed to further tell the trials and tribulations of Rocky Balboa. While life had changed for a little while for the Philadelphian, Rocky soon finds himself struggling to make money while avoiding the ring. But eventually Apollo Creed’s thirst for putting things right which he thought went wrong is too much of a temptation and the two eventually have a showdown to settle things once and for all.
While you can pretty much guess the conclusion considering that it was hardly going to repeat what happened before, Rocky II is a very good follow up that manages to stay reasonably grounded. Talia Shire as the suffering Adrian gives a noteworthy performance in particular. Carl Weathers’ Apollo Creed is no longer the overly confident brash champion he was in the original. He knows that Rocky is not a challenger to take lightly. And he is now meaner than ever.
There are no real surprises here. But you won’t be able to stop watching all the same.
Rocky Balboa
This 2006 movie took years to get off the ground. But audiences and fans alike welcomed back cinema’s most lovable boxer with open arms with Rocky Balboa. Interestingly, Mason Dixon is not built up to be some kind of villainous adversary like all of Rocky’s previous opponents were. Instead, we get to see Dixon’s personal struggles too. And the film even manages to make us feel a degree of sympathy for him. Certain elements were really shaken up here!
Talia Shire did not want to reprise her role as Adrian again. But her spirit is heavily felt throughout as Rocky occasionally calls on her for help and guidance as he tries to come to terms with his psychological demons.
While I used to think it was a bit of an odd choice that was difficult to accept for the longest time, the final fight between Rocky and Mason is shot in a way that is quite lifelike. Gone is the campy and whimsical style of fight scenes that made the earlier sequels. With Stallone’s advancing age, it was probably the most logical decision to keep the silliness as low as possible if he wanted to make this one as plausible as possible.
Rocky
You’re probably thinking that I am crazy for placing the original film so low in this list. But the way I see it, it depends what you like this franchise for. If you appreciate the dramatic and slower moments the most then you will likely rate Rocky much higher. However, the action heavy sequels defined this franchise in my eyes.
What this film did well can still be recognised today. It’s message is that so long as you give your best shot at something and still lose then it doesn’t matter. You will fail in glory. It is always better to try than not to try at all. And that still rings loud and clear.
Rocky isn’t so much of a boxing movie than it is about one man’s struggle to make something of his life. That is a far cry from the likes of Rocky IV when Rocky has everything he could materialistically wish for and gains new motivation to continue to lace up the gloves.
Rocky V
Often said to be the worst by fans, I do not think Rocky V is as bad as it is often claimed to be. Don’t get me wrong. Rocky V is still a bad film. The early 1990’s hip hop soundtrack does not fit and the idea to modify Rocky’s intelligence to such an extent that he becomes goofy were bad creative choices. Sure, it is stated that he attained brain damage from his fight with Ivan Drago in the last film. But they did not need to go as far as they did in making that evident.
What this fourth sequel manages to do pretty well is refocus on the dynamic again between Rocky and Adrian. It started with them two, afterall. The issues between Rocky and his son, Robert, was also interesting to explore. But Rocky basically taking Mickey’s place and turning from fighter to trainer for most of the film is a questionable move considering that Stallone was still pretty young enough to face more challenges as a boxer.
Rocky V is too different from the rest of the films. And it is always a bad idea to abruptly and so heavily change what made something work be modified to such extremes.
