Storyline is only sub par, but action is great

Rating: 7/10 (3 February 2007)

When I first got this movie, I expected something that was a chunk below the previous 3 and Rocky Balboa in quality. However, although it isn't quite my favorite (Rocky 2 would take 1st in my book), it still is definitely a very entertaining piece. I found it much easier to watch than the first movie, which seems to be more about character development and a bum walking around bouncing a ball than it does getting in the quick but satisfying action like Rocky 4 does. I actually think the death of Creed fit into the storyline well, and he always seemed more of a bloated pretty boy showman than a bloody and bruised brawler like Rocky. The training montages are pretty sweet, and for some reason, I really liked the scene where Rocky drives around in his car and recalls his past fights.
The one thing that really bugs me is ironically arguably the best part of the movie, the final fight with Drago. I'm not gonna get pissy with a movie because its fighting scenes aren't very realistic, but this was just... too fake. I was literally yelling at the t.v. for rocky 2 get his hand up and block his concrete face, but he's mastered the technique of letting a guy with one full ton of force per inch in his punches not phase him. I don't care how determined he was, I think it would have been better if Ivan somehow got dq'd so it'd at least be plausible. But that said, it's 2 bloody guys pounding each other, so it's still entertainment. A good movie.