No Oscar, just fun to watch again and again!

Rating: 8/10 (27 May 2007)

It's been panned by many and no it's not Shakespeare but this film is one of those rarities for me, a film I can watch many times and still really enjoy.
The story revolves around a showdown between Rocky Balboa and a new Russian boxer called Ivan Drago. After a fight in which a friend is killed by Drago Rocky agrees to an unsanctioned fight in Russia.
Riddled with guilt Rocky sees his own death at the hands of Drago and yet knowing the odds are against him he takes on the challenge. The best bit of the whole film has to be the climatic showdown and how Rocky rises to the occasion.
I rate this film an eight not because the acting is so great, it isn't, nor because the movie is groundbreaking but because it does what a good film should do - it keeps you entertained and coming back for more.
The tunes are catchy and just right for the film, the boxing is tough and looks real, the ending is uplifting and the story moves along quickly without being rushed.
So stick on the surround sound amp, turn down the lights and enjoy the fun of Rocky IV - "if he dies....he dies!" And I must complement the man responsible for the instrumental used in Dragos big showdown with Balboa - it's literally perfect and really suits the scene well, possibly the best piece of music in any Rocky film!