An important but yet sub standard edition to the series

Rating: 7/10 (9 January 2007)

Rocky III is probably one of the most well known, liked, rooted for, and important entries in the series. Important because it was Rocky's first move into main stream film leaving behind it's more critically acclaimed roots. In a way Rocky III began to start the film's procession in the same direction as Balboa's career. In Rocky III Rocky has become enamored with the life of fame and fortune. He puts aside his training to show himself off to the people, and "trades his passion for glory" as the famous theme song says. Rocky III featured not one but three fights and also featured big time wrestler Hulk Hogan and eighties icon Mr. T. as Rocky's adversaries. Now none of this is to say that Rocky III isn't good, I only mean to say that Rocky III falls from grace as far as the greatness of the original and it's sequel. However the third installment has some great moments that are integral to the series including the death of Rocky's mentor and trainer Mickey, in a very moving scene, and the friendship that grows between Rocky and former adversary Apollo Creed, who now trains Rocky. As a kid I always remembered Rocky III being my favorite but now seeing it years later it just doesn't have the depth and intelligence and intense story as some of the other ones.
Sylvester Stallone once again helms the project as director, writer and star. I just felt that in this film Stallone lost his touch with Balboa and the character doesn't have the same feel but perhaps that is the idea? Either way Stallone is still watchable as the ultimate underdog because for the first time we see him as the champion dealing with his celebrity status and raising his son and being a husband and friend. He still manages to touch the heart strings for his powerful scene following Mickey's death. Burgess Meredith returns as Mickey in a very good performance. Mickey is obviously dying but Rocky is almost too busy with his fame to notice. His death is life shattering for Rocky and Meredith is a sad loss to the series but his scenes are powerful. Talia Shire returns as Rocky's wife Adrian. Her performance is toned down significantly in this film which is part of where the charm goes. Rocky has always been a powerful love story and Adrian's toned down part makes a big difference. Burt Young also returns as the incomparable Paulie who still gets that laughs with his rough around the edges performance is still the same old Paulie. He hardly ever changes and for the character and Young that's a good thing. Carl Weathers returns as Apollo Creed but this time as trainer rather than opponent desperate to help Rocky regain his title after Mr. T. destroys him. Weathers is even better as a friend to Rocky because he loses none of Creed's charm and flamboyance becoming trainer. Mr. T. is well...he's Mr. T....I mean the guy doesn't change much and his performance as Clubber Lang certainly did become a film classic. His steely look and brute force and build makes him a worthy opponent but even still I never thought he had the same talent as Balboa despite beating him once. Hulk Hogan makes a humorous appearance as "Thunderlips" a pro-wrestler who agrees to take on Rocky for charity and gives a funny, and rather overblown performance.
No matter what I say about Rocky III you must see it. It's an absolute eighties classic and it's an essential part of the Rocky series which everyone must see hands down. It has it's pluses and a few minuses being a little commercially forced but it also had some very important moments to the entire series. It just didn't quite have the heart as some of the other installments but for one of a series of 6 that is allowed and it still meets my approval. 7.5/10