Rocky IV continues the franchise of hard-pumping drama

Rating: 7/10 (21 February 2007)

Dolph Lundgren is the movie's new challenger, a robotic Russian who's got the punch that'll smash your car, nobody can surely stop this guy? As in any Rocky movie you won't find much originality, it's all about Rocky's personal problems as he once again faces the ultimate challenger. Rocky IV is even emptier than the third installment, there's nothing beneath the surface of Lundgren's ice-cold machine body as the movie speeds from the tragic death of Apollo Creed to Rocky's once again amazing achievement. The final boxing-match between Stallone and Lundgren is probably the series' most hard-knocking and action-packed, as usually blood will be spilled and eyes will start swelling, but this time you also get the feeling that Lundgren is actually a worthy companion to Rocky's never-ending victory spree. The most defining summary of Rocky IV would be something like this; crying, training, boxing, winning.