Cartoonish

Rating: Null/10 (5 October 2014)

'Rocky II' I liked not because Rocky got a chance to win but because it spent most of it's time featuring Rocky trying to go back to his normal life but being goaded back into the ring. Rockys IV and V were execrable which leaves me with Rocky III (do you think I've said Rocky enough?). 'Rocky III' isn't an entirely necessary movie but it is an entertaining one. It's a comic book fable, a hapless movie that gives the viewer what they want.
The movie finds Rock at the height of his career with a big house, an infant son and a statue in Philadelphia (it's still there in real life). This is fine but it doesn't make for great drama. Bringing this challenge to Rocky is a muscle-clad loudmouth who accuses him of years of ducking a worthy opponent – himself of course. Mickey agrees, admitting that most of Rocky's opponents have been handpicked.
Not thinking much of it Rock takes the challenge and proceeds on a half-assed attempt at training for the fight (the gym where he use to train is now more an amusement park). Not only does he lose the fight but also his self-respect and Mickey to a heart attack. Stallone's mournful howls in that scene reminded me of a wounded buffalo that I once saw on National Geographic.
What follows is a long stretch in which we get Rocky's depression, a visit from Apollo Creed now on Rock's side, a rematch, a trip to L.A., a training montage and two more speeches about bravery and self respect than is necessary. Then the fight in which we don't have to guess who comes out victorious.
All of this is in the service of a story that, as I said, doesn't give this series a boost but is entertaining junk food. Stallone tells a good story once again even if Rocky doesn't have all the quirks we remember. As for it's entry in the series, it being the middle film of a decending series it sits somewhere in the middle and so does my rating.