Rocky III

Rating: 5/10 (26 March 2011)

Directed by its star Sylvester Stallone, the first film may be the one that was the most successful, winning Oscars and all, but this one gave us two things, a memorable TV star and a hit song. Basically it continues where the previous film left off, where Rocky Balboa (Stallone) defeated Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) by knockout, falling over and winning getting up, by one second, and he is still enjoying his success. Three years have passed, he has had ten fights holding onto his world champion title, and he is now rich with everything he could ever want. After a charity boxing match against World Wrestling Champion fighter Thunderlips (Hollywood Hulk Hogan) and a commemorative statue in his honour and that of his home town, Rocky announces his retirement. Right at that moment however out of the crowd comes the man who has been watching him with intent to fight him and become the new world champion, up and coming boxing brawler Clubber Lang (Mr. T), and with too much pride he accepts. At first trainer Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith) is strict that he should not fight him, because he is a "killer", and he confesses the ten fights he got him were easy compared to Clubber, but he does agree eventually to give him more fighting tips. It comes to the match, but before it even starts Rocky and Clubber have backstage bust-up, resulting in Mickey having a heart attack, initially Rocky says he will forfeit, but his trainer urges him to go on. In the end, Rocky was too worried about Mickey to fight as well as he normally would, therefore he is defeated in two rounds and Clubber becomes the new World Champion, and Rocky is upset when he returns to Mickey who dies in front of him. He becomes depressed with the grief and thinking that he is finished, and he has no confidence to have a re-match, but then his former opponent Apollo Creed comes along. He encourages Rocky to go for a re-match, which Clubber Lang accepts, and he starts training him, he should try to forget any rivalry he has with the thug and concentrate more on regaining his title, he needs the "eye of the tiger". In the end, Rocky and Clubber return to the ring to have another fight, with wife Adrian (Talia Shire) and Apollo watching in the crowd and by the ring with hope, and against all odds Rocky does win the fight with a fantastic knockout punch, once again becoming Heavyweight Champion of the World. Also starring Burt Young as Paulie, Ian Fried as Rocky Jr. and Al Silvani as Al. Stallone still gives a really likable, Weathers steps up in the ranks becoming his mentor, Shire has her moments, as does Penguin actor Meredith before his character dies, and Mr. T is a great opponent with an attitude, a great attribute that got him the part of B.A. Baracus in The A-Team. I don't think the critics are very fair about this third film in the series, the fight sequences are still gripping, the montage sequence or two with the great music is still enjoyable, and of course the Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated song "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor, that went to number one, is a great song, a good boxing drama. Rocky Balboa was number 7 on 100 Years, 100 Heroes & Villains, "Yo, Adrian." was number 80 on 100 Years, 100 Quotes. Worth watching!