By-the-numbers sequel

Rating: 5/10 (9 July 2007)

Rocky IV seems like the kinda film a group of producers and writers knocked up during a coffee break.
'Say Bob, that Stallone, he's pretty popular huh? People pay to see him in movies'
'Sure Bill, and those Rocky films are surefire winners' 'I know, lets do a Rocky sequel, and lets have some Russians in it, after all old man Reagan's stirring up the cold war again' 'Good idea Bill, and these Russians should kill one of Rocky's closest friends' 'Sure thing Bob, and how about Rocky going to Moscow to kick the Reds A** in revenge?' 'Sounds good to me Bill, and don't forget the cute kid bit in the middles' 'Can't leave that out Bob. Carole-Ann, get me Sly Stallone on the phone'
That pretty much sums up Rocky IV, it's basically Rocky III draped in patriotism and injected with stereotypical evil Soviets. Apollo Creed gets killed after his 'I love America' bit and Rocky jets off to Russia to kick steroid enhanced Soviet butt. The music is dreadful 80's cheese( with the exception of James Brown) and the training sequence is more homerotic than ever. The fight is by-the-numbers too, with Rocky getting beaten to an inch of his life before the thrilling last round comeback.
If it was any other character i'd hate this film for it's laziness, terrible soundtrack and embarrassing 'stars and stripes' patriotism. But I love Rocky, so I won't savage it completely. Only see if you are a Rocky fan, and one who can suspend a lot of disbelief.