Good enough

Rating: Null/10 (26 July 2007)

Now I have seen all five of the first five in the series.
We were fooled this time. It sounded like "Gonna Fly Now" would be played at the beginning, but it was just a song that sounded like that one. The new, almost equally worthy theme started up after that, with scenes from the life of Rocky Balboa (even "The Muppet Show"!) as well as highlights of the career of Clubber Lang. Survivor's theme was used for some training scenes later and, with a tiger growling, for the closing credits. Purists who wanted "Gonna Fly Now" get to hear it during some quite exciting training scenes, and played by a marching band early in the movie as Rocky's statue is unveiled.
Was it as good as the others? Certainly none of the sequels matched the original, but this film held its own. For the first time, Rocky is faced with the prospect of actually having to retire. Clubber Lang is the fiercest, cruelest opponent yet. And, of course, with Mickey opposed to Rocky fighting this monster (and for another reason I'd rather not mention), Apollo Creed does the training this time, and Carl Weathers gives the movie's standout performance. In fact, this may have been the best of the movies for those who like him.
The usual formula applies: need it be mentioned that Rocky can't win the first time? Or can he? Maybe Lang wants revenge. Can Rocky win the second time? Maybe.
I'm not sure whether to call Mr. T a good actor. But he is definitely scary and menacing, always taunting, always acting like he can't be defeated. He just doesn't show a lot of range. And Muhammad Ali he's not--Ali had a kind side. One has to wonder if Lang ever had anyone care about him.
Stallone gives a good performance here. He has to show doubt about whether he can continue. He certainly shows determination, and in some scenes where he should show fear, he doesn't. That is probably a good thing.
Burgess Meredith is almost as good here as in the others, but he isn't in the movie much. Talia Shire has her share of good scenes too.
Hulk Hogan is almost as menacing as T in the charity event, and one wonders how Rocky got out of that alive. Hogan's no actor, but his performance should satisfy fans of "rasslin". For those concerned that scene is too violent, Rocky's son does ask if Daddy is having fun. That should resolve any concerns.
As for later, I guess it's up to parents if they want to watch two guys beating the you-know-what out of each other. That was never my favorite part of these movies.
It's good enough to be part of the series.