Rocky IV Review

After his match with Clubber Lang, Rocky consents to Apollo Creed's "favor", a private one-on-one matchup. Rocky IV (1985) begins where Rocky returns home to celebrate Paulie's birthday with his family.

Rocky and Apollo are enjoying their time at home when Soviet fighter Drago comes to America to test his strength against American boxers, and challenges Rocky to a matchup.

At first, Rocky is reluctant to accept this fight, so Creed steps in to test his strength against this "indestructible" fighter. Rocky advises against it, but Creed declares that this fight isn't just about him.

The exhibition match between Creed and Drago begins with an embarrassingly patriotic Cold War sequence featuring James Brown and a multitude of Las Vegas dancers. Apollo enters from a floating platform, dancing and moving to "Living in America".

As the match begins, Drago beats the pulp out of Creed. Apollo stays in the match, but is knocked unconscious in the 2nd round.

In an unflattering funeral sequence, it is revealed that Creed is no longer alive. While I understand that it was a necessary plot point, I don't think Stallone had to kill him off.

But I digress. Rocky finally agrees to a fight with Drago, and is fuelled by a montage of past victories, failures, and those who have left him.

Rocky relocates to Siberia to begin his training for his Christmas matchup with Drago. The obligatory training sequence begins, as Rocky trains in the wilderness, while Drago trains in monitored facilities, and gets injected with steroids.

At this point in the movie there isn't much to do but cut to the fight, and that's exactly what happens. Rocky's match with Drago begins, and the hostile and embarrassingly patriotic Soviet crowd eventually begins cheering for Rocky's victory.

The fight lasts 15 rounds, but ultimately Rocky wins the fight. Rocky gives a poignant speech, and establishes peace between Soviet and America. OK, that's not exactly what happens, but it's implied.

In my opinion, the writing in Rocky IV isn't quite as good as the writing in the previous films. Visually speaking it looks better than the other films, but there doesn't seem to be any particular reason for this movie except for the Cold War.