I know, I know. But hear me out - it was acutally good. Possibly the best since the first film and definitely the best since the second. Leaves a much better taste in your mouth as the closing of the book than Rocky V did, with the "win a street fight and punch out Don King" ending. The acting isn't nearly as appalling as some of the performances in the fifth film (mostly because Rocky's kid is played by an actor rather than...his kid, and Tarver does a better job than Tommy Morrison.
If you liked any of the previous films give it a shot. The first 15 minutes or so starts off a bit slow as Rocky can't seem to stop reliving the past, but after that everything seemed fine to me. It was scheduled for Christmas, then it was scheduled for the 22nd of December, now they've bumped it up to December 20th.
Minor spoilers (no ending give-aways or anything...if you must know stuff you can PM me and I'll cut and paste you the spoilers I've sent to people elsewhere)
Spoiler Below: Highlight text to read
Adrian not being in the film doesn't hurt it as much as I was expecting. Marie (the "screw-you, creepo!" kid from Rocky) kind of fills that spot without it being a blatant attempt at "well, we couldn't sign Talia Shire, so this person will just fill-in for her." However, she does give the one or two mini-inspirational speeches to him and is the one in the crowd making the concerned faces and crying "come on, you can do it!"
They do something in the final fight during the second round to explain why it's even remotely plausible that old man Rocky can hang in there with the 30-something years younger undefeated world champion. I'm kind of glad they made an effort to do something like that, as Rocky just hanging in there with him no problem would seem pretty ridiculous.
I have been waiting for this movie for ages and preparing for it properly by watching the first five films in order. I can't believe you saw it THREE WEEKS before I have a chance to see it.
Now I have to avoid the temptation to look at your spoilers. Arggghh.
Originally posted by The GoonI have been waiting for this movie for ages and preparing for it properly by watching the first five films in order. I can't believe you saw it THREE WEEKS before I have a chance to see it.
Now I have to avoid the temptation to look at your spoilers. Arggghh.
The more I have thought about this film, the more hyped I have been getting for it. I am envious, especially since Sly had a special screening right here in my home city a few days ago that thrust it front and center on the news.
The spoilers don't really spoil anything that you won't get from the trailer.
21 years ago today Rocky IV - the last real Rocky movie because we all know that Rocky V never really existed - was the #1 movie at the Box Office. You can thank my elevator for that useless tidbit of info.
I'm Blind Jimmy Winthrop, Blues singer for the Rich.
Originally posted by dunkndollaz21 years ago today Rocky IV - the last real Rocky movie because we all know that Rocky V never really existed - was the #1 movie at the Box Office.
You know, I actually liked V better than IV. It had that Philly street feel similar to the first two. Mickey was back in a cameo, and I liked the plot device with the Don King character manipulating Tommy Gunn to get Rocky in the ring. Hell, I liked the street fight.
(Disclaimer: I've seen the Rocky films way too many times-to the point it might be unhealthy)
As a bonus from the Rocky site, here's a picture of Sly and Frank Stallone having a beverage.
Originally posted by dunkndollaz21 years ago today Rocky IV - the last real Rocky movie because we all know that Rocky V never really existed - was the #1 movie at the Box Office.
What is this Rocky V of which you speak?
I'd have to reiterate what this man asked: What is this Rocky V that you speak of? I was not aware that it existed.
I'm with The Goon, I actually liked Rocky V. It was pretty cheesy but way less cheesy that the other Rockys, what with the "Me beating up this Russian dude will somehow make USA-hating Russian spectators suddenly stop hating the USA" and the like.
Back on topic: I sowre this morning on another messageboard that I wouldnt go near this movie, but after reading KaneRobot's review, I might be tempted to see it after all. But I wont pay full price for it.
It's always tough to choose, but the original Rocky may be my favorite movie of all time. It's the ultimate underdog story, that I always like to watch if I am feeling down on myself.
I think after the never ending sequels, people forget just how great that movie was. Best Picture, for crying out loud, and like 10 Oscar nominations. One of the better movies in the greatest decades for movies, the 70's.
I actually think Rocky II is very underrated. The ending when he yells "Yo Adrian, I did it!" always makes me a little misty.
III and IV were good popcorn movies, but that's about it. I also choose to believe that IV never happened.
Dean! Have you been shooting dope into your scrotum? You can tell me! I'm hip!
Originally posted by dunkndollaz21 years ago today Rocky IV - the last real Rocky movie because we all know that Rocky V never really existed - was the #1 movie at the Box Office.
What is this Rocky V of which you speak?
It is just an urban legend like GodFather III. People like making up stories that Talia Shire was in bad sequels, that's all.
Originally posted by DJ FrostyFreezeI'm with The Goon, I actually liked Rocky V. It was pretty cheesy but way less cheesy that the other Rockys, what with the "Me beating up this Russian dude will somehow make USA-hating Russian spectators suddenly stop hating the USA" and the like.
Of course it would work! What's the matter with you?
Following up on another point - the first two Rocky movies were by far the best. I was in high school when those came out and they were EVENTS. While III and IV were not of that level, they were still entertaining.
As bad as V was, it was sort of inevitable that the suckiness would happen. Rocky was never the most interesting character in the movies, and by the fifth installment Sly had killed off virtually every engaging personality that had made the earlier films so good. By V we had no Mickey, no Apollo, and his foils were a far cry from T, who was a truly awesome heel.
I hate IV because of the utter castrating humiliation of Apollo Creed, who is still one of the most charismatic characters you'll ever see in any film of the twentieth century. So I like to pretend that one doesn't exist.
I'm still gonna watch this, though. I won't even play.
I tend to think the only good part of IV was the Apollo storyline of the aging fighter who would rather die than give up the fight game. The rest of IV (and III) is about showing off Sly's physique.
Dean! Have you been shooting dope into your scrotum? You can tell me! I'm hip!
Well, I'm responding insanely late to this thread, but I figure, what the hell.
I'm a HUGE fan of the Rocky movies (actually a huge fan of Rocky I-III), and at first I really was dreading Rocky VI. But after seeing trailers, I really hold a lot of hope for this movie.
Glad to hear the positive word of mouth pretty early in. Hopefully when I see it, I'll feel the same way.
I kinda disown parts IV and V and believe it or not, I actually thought V was better than IV. I just cannot, to this day, get over the fact that they killed off Apollo Creed. It is to me, one of the most unnecessary deaths in cinema history. Some say that Apollo died not in vain because he would've rather died in the ring, but I felt it actually would've been more dramatically sound if Apollo was paralyzed instead. A man who lives for the fight, can no longer fight, and he has to live with it. Sure it woulda been weird to see Apollo in his electronic wheel chair cheering for Rocky, but eh, . . . yeah I miss Apollo. haha
I saw it Z, and it was fantastic. Comes in second as far as I am concerned in the franchise, just behind the first one. People forget the first one really wasn't about Boxing, per se, but about giving it all you have, and working for your dreams.
This one, follows the logic that the boxing is secondary, and that the human elements of the story are in the forefront. Rocky misses his dead wife. Pauly misses her too. Rocky doesnt understand why his son wont come around. Rocky meets somebody and might be falling for her.
A few inspirational speeches, especially great is the one with Rocky and his son outside Rocky's place. Sums up the film completely. Wonderful film, good storytelling and Stallone proves he can both write, direct and in this case, actually pull out a decent acting performance. The ending is exactly the way I was hoping it would go. Rocky has his dignity, and I think its Stallone's way of giving the great character a proper send off.
I caught Rocky Balboa earlier this afternoon and I am still shaking from how good it was. A decent story, well filmed and lots of nice touches, including the returns of L'il Marie and Spider Rico from the first film. I was kinda hoping Gazzo (Rocky's old loan shark boss) would show up as well.
Good performance by AJ Benza-not overwhelmingly evil, just looking for a good payday. The training sequence and fight montage had people in our cinema moving with the punches.
Although I mentioned earlier that I enjoyed V, if for how it brought the characters full circle, the movie I saw today was a superior way of completing the franchise.
(side note: If it wasn't for the first three Rocky films, I wonder if I would have had as much an interest in running and fitness as I do.)