A boxer from the Soviet Union inspires Apollo to come out of retirement.
This is an enjoyable cheese-fest with memorable moments.
It feels like Rocky's character arc was done by the end of the first sequel, but in this one he is inspired to fight yet again by tragic circumstances. I think the story feels contrived and forced, but it sets up some entertaining moments of Cold War propaganda. He is in brooding mode like the previous sequel with an additional touch of self importance associated with the USA v USSR theme. Sylvester Stallone leads it well and stays likeable throughout.
Other regular characters contribute well to the production with the likes of Carl Weathers, Talia Shire, and Burt Young lifting scenes with strong performances.
Russian characters are mostly portrayed negatively, and I'm including the fickle crowd at the second fight. Given the era this is hardly surprising, but they are insultingly one dimensional caricatures.
There is plenty of exciting Rocky-style spectacle, particularly the fights and training sequences. Steroid abuse aside, I like the (for the time) hi tech training methods and the contrasting styles between both camps. The use of the Wyoming landscape is beautiful and the Soviet art design is visually effective.
As much as I enjoy a montage, there are way too many. In fact the dialogue and fight scenes function mostly as a way to connect montages. I particularly dislike the "best of" franchise moments involving the song 'No Easy Way Out'. All that said one of my favourite parts of the movie is the use of 'Eye of the Tiger' to recap the end of Rocky 3.
As for the cheese, it is off the scales in this entry. It gets particularly cringeworthy towards the end, but if you switch the brain off and can see the funny side, it is arguably a memorable slice of mid-eighties pop culture. I remember loving it as a child shortly after it came out and my young daughter enjoyed it recently.
This is an enjoyable cheese-fest with memorable moments.
It feels like Rocky's character arc was done by the end of the first sequel, but in this one he is inspired to fight yet again by tragic circumstances. I think the story feels contrived and forced, but it sets up some entertaining moments of Cold War propaganda. He is in brooding mode like the previous sequel with an additional touch of self importance associated with the USA v USSR theme. Sylvester Stallone leads it well and stays likeable throughout.
Other regular characters contribute well to the production with the likes of Carl Weathers, Talia Shire, and Burt Young lifting scenes with strong performances.
Russian characters are mostly portrayed negatively, and I'm including the fickle crowd at the second fight. Given the era this is hardly surprising, but they are insultingly one dimensional caricatures.
There is plenty of exciting Rocky-style spectacle, particularly the fights and training sequences. Steroid abuse aside, I like the (for the time) hi tech training methods and the contrasting styles between both camps. The use of the Wyoming landscape is beautiful and the Soviet art design is visually effective.
As much as I enjoy a montage, there are way too many. In fact the dialogue and fight scenes function mostly as a way to connect montages. I particularly dislike the "best of" franchise moments involving the song 'No Easy Way Out'. All that said one of my favourite parts of the movie is the use of 'Eye of the Tiger' to recap the end of Rocky 3.
As for the cheese, it is off the scales in this entry. It gets particularly cringeworthy towards the end, but if you switch the brain off and can see the funny side, it is arguably a memorable slice of mid-eighties pop culture. I remember loving it as a child shortly after it came out and my young daughter enjoyed it recently.