2 great sequels are sadly rare, but it tries

Rating: Null/10 (13 July 2000)

It was unfortunate yet inevitable that one of the freshest franchises in years should eventually fall foul to Hollywood cliches, but this is what has happened in the third installment of the boxing saga. And they have written every single one into this story! What was basically raw cinema for 2 stunning films, is now your bog standard good guy makes good story. Interesting possibilities for sub-plots have been cast aside in favour of making everyone friends. And the villain (played acceptably by Mr T) is dreadfully portrayed as some kind of animal, complete with snarling in the fight sequences.
Stallone had something very good for a few years with his ROCKY stories, yet we are presumably going to get the bargain end of the deal from now on - hopefully Stallone will see sense and pull out before this goes too far.