This is the showdown where East meets West!

Rating: Null/10 (16 May 2002)

I am sure that when a person loses a friend to death, that it is hard to take. Yet to see them being killed and then to be killed, would have to be almost impossible to tolerate. Rocky IV is not about revenge, when it quite easily could have been. Instead it is a film about Rocky Balboa who fights to right a wrong for his best friend. Rocky IV will make the hair on the back of the neck stand up!
Rocky Balboa is pitted against Russian heavyweight challenger, a merciless fighting machine  the best that Soviet science and medicine can create, his name is Ivan Drago, the Russian boxer with the rocket launch punch. Following the death of Apollo Creed in a match against Drago and in a bid to avenge the loss of his friend, Rocky takes up the challenge to fight the newest heavyweight contender. Supported by technologically advanced training methods and based on his past performances, Drago looks certain to claim the crown. Rocky again is the underdog. As Drago goes through his high tech workouts, Rocky is seen slogging through hip deep snow. Training, however, can only take a fighter so far. Drago has the biochemical and physiological makings of a champion, but Rocky has the heart
This movie was very poignant in story and in acting. There are many scenes that really touched me, none more so than when Rocky tells Adrian he has to fight Drago. Rocky is at the bottom of a staircase, with Adrian at the top. She says that he can not win, and that he is playing with death wish. Through all this Rocky ignores his wife's wishes and will fight, to the death if need be. There always seems to be a scene in these films that really standouts. This such a scene. Yet the death of Apollo Creed was also well shot in Rocky IV. I am still not sure if seeing someone being killed is a good scene or not?
The cast of this Rocky was once again very powerful. I want to first of all talk about the mean role taken on by Muscle man, Dolph Lundgren. He was good in this film, though he hardly says a word. His facial expressions are extraordinary, yet I am sure he is made to look as brutal as he is for the movie. He was the perfect man for the role of Ivan Drago.

There is not much that can be faulted about the role and the impact that Sylvester Stallone has in Rocky. Again he had made up a wonderful script for this film, and undertook a powerful role. I wish we had a real life Rocky, because I am sure that he would be as popular in this world as he is in the movie. Talia Shire was again great in her Role as Adrian. Although she does not have faith that her husband can beat the merciless Russian, she stands behind her man, as only she could. I would love to have a girl like Adrian behind me if I was in trouble.
The role of Paulie has always been a questioned one by me. Yet in this Ricky he was great. He showed how good a brother-in law he really is and stood by Rocky all the way. Burt Young has had a long career staring in the recent hit with Hugh Grant, Mickey Blue Eyes. It was sad to see Apollo Creed bow out of the Rocky saga, yet the writing was one the cards for him. He did not know what sort of fighter he was going up against and paid the ultimate price. His showman side, also made him seem too cocky. From where I view it, in the ring you only need to feel confident, but try to contain that emotion, as your opponent, will then not know how to take you. Carl Weathers was a great choice as Apollo Creed.
Rocky IV gave viewers a good look at the country of Russia. I am sure that it would be extremely cold in that part of the world, but it was an igneous decision on Stallone's behalf to have Rocky fight in the challengers home country, as the odds of winning were even greater against Balboa, then they were in America. I especially liked the shots viewers get to see in the snowy country side.
After the events of September 11 2001, America and the world mourned a tragic event. Yet after watching this movie, I feel that America has a lot to be proud of as a country and can take away that feeling from this movie. Rocky also proves how heart' can mean the difference between winning or losing. Sure it is good to have strength, but without heart, it is no weapon at all. Obviously the Rocky series was beginning to become a little stale' for the fans, yet this movie still had some of the Rocky magic, that started way back in the 1970's.
Rating: 3.5 stars or 7/10