Popular, successful... but just doesn't stand the test of time

Rating: 3/10 (25 October 2004)

by Dane Youssef
Of all of Sylvester Stallone's chapters of the 300+ volumes of the "Rocky" saga, "Rocky IV" is often referred to as the silliest, most soul-bereft... and altogether WORST of the saga.
Whearas, I have actually read posts from many (most on this site here) who renown this four-time Razzie-"winning" champion of 1985 as a defecation of everything that made the 1976 original the classic it was, is and will continue to be as long as mankind roams on this rock third from the sun.
But yes, while "Rocky IV" is a film that is often cited as the worst of the whole "Rocky" franchise. Is it?
Many people despise "Rocky V" more. Dolph Lundgren is in real life a genius and a first-degree black-belt. Not a mention a wooden actor. More so than Stallone. The two have great chemistry and an arguably incredible (and ludicrous) showdown. But is this film too little too late.
You be the judge.
Let's take a good look at the + and the - at this movie.
PRO: Stallone throws together a boxing-training montage that is without a doubt, the best Iv'e ever seen. Rocky shows heart and soul and Drago is more machine than man. After it's over, you're ready to train to the big fight yourself!
The fight sequences are nothing short of riveting, between both boxers. It's grueling. There's tension pumping in all directions. You'd need a Ginsu to cut it. More action-packed than really dramatic.
CONS: Um... just about everything else.
Especially the final shot--the freeze-frame of the Itallion Stallion being draped proudly with the American flag.
But then again, let's not nitpick. A movie is supposed to be simply enjoyed, not estimated. "Rocky IV" is not a bad film, it's just not necessary. It's not really worth the effort. None of these films are truly awful. Maybe Stallone should've just hung up the Championship belt after clubbing Clubber Lang (Mr. T). But then again, who could blame him? Stallone put so much into 'Rocky' that people simply won't accept Stallone as anything else. He is not the most versatile record and he has the movies (and Razzies to prove it) to prove it. Stallone himself said no role fit him better. He designed the script so no one could play it as well as he could. It was his big break. People loved the Itallion Stallon, so Stallone kept cranking them out.
But whereas the first two "Rocky" movies were heartfelt dramas about people and their dreams, desires and abilities, over time the saga turned into over-inflated summer testosterone-driven action-movies.
Maybe because that's what Stallone himself was venturing into. The man was built for action. In other genres like drama, he's made undeniable marks with "Rocky" and "Cop Land" (though nothing else). And his contributions to comedy are laughable. Wait, that came out wrong...
The strange birthday party for Paulie had me looking in disbelief. Apparently he's spent so much time drinking and mooching off his brother in law, he's made no friends and Rocky and his family buy Paulie an actual robot. The robot serves as a servant, even a friend... and perhaps a lover?
Hee-hee-hee-hee.
Yeeesh. I got the creeps... actually, that's being charitable. I felt unclean. As if I had just been "violated," I guess, is as good a word as any.
The exhibition where Apollo Creed prepares to break out of retirement to battle the 6'4" Ivan Drago from Russia has an opening act of James Brown and an endless stream of Vegas musicians, showgirls all performing a loud, tacky and ugly rendition of "Living In America." The whole James Brown opening number is so ludicrously hideous, that you have to wonder if the whole inspiration came from the opening musical number to "Springtime For Hitler" from "The Producers." Was Stallone attempting to show how shameless America takes itself (even back then)?
Hey, if he was... nice piece of satire, Sly.
God help us all... and him if he wasn't.
Of course, even as shameless as all this... is the big end where he wraps himself in the American flag.
While Stallone does not have a great range as an actor, he has tailor-made roles that have allowed him to do what he does best and put asses in seats and gross big ("Rocky," "Cliffhanger" and 'Rambo"), probably because he knows his range better than anyone. My relief is that "Rocky" is over now and Stallone is currently working on another script which he has written for himself (as well as direct) and since he knows his abilities, it'll truly be something to watch.
I'll buy a ticket. Won't you?