In America, Rocky Is Awesome! In Soviet Russia, Rocky Is Still Awesome!

Rating: 8/10 (8 September 2011)

Rocky IV is an interesting film as far as the opinions of fans go. Many praise it for differing from the original and obtaining its own individual charm whilst others condemn it for the very same reason. Personally, I've always loved Rocky IV and I may even prefer it to Rocky Balboa despite the fact that it is far inferior as far as a good screenplay goes. Rocky IV deviates from the dramatic prospects that made the first two Rocky films so fantastic and instead follows in the popcorn action flick direction introduced in Rocky III, but goes even further and on to becoming one of those ridiculous macho man action movies from the 80s like Commando that is also riddled with Cold War propaganda. It's very different, but lovable in its own silly way.
The film begins with a flashback of the fight at the end of the previous movies like all Rocky movies seem to do. We learn that Rocky's friend, Apollo Creed is coming out of retirement for an exhibition match with a powerful Russian boxer named Ivan Drago. Apollo feels obligated to go ahead with fighting due to his patriotism and sadly ends up being killed by Drago. Rocky is devastated by this and chooses to fight Drago himself and he travels to the Soviet Union in order to train for the upcoming fight.
Drop your expectation that you will get a Rocky movie with real dramatic substance, this one has descended into utter silliness and is nothing more than just an action movie. In that regard, it is pretty good. Stallone delivers a great performance as Rocky like he always has and Carl Weathers was still great as Apollo Creed during his screen time, but unfortunately Adrian and Paulie are given very little to do outside of just supporting Rocky on his endeavors so their character development has gone downhill.
The soundtrack and montages that accompany them are wonderful. Even though the classic composition of Bill Conti is absent, Rocky IV introduces a rock and pop soundtrack that I find to be great. The songs by Survivor, Vince Dicola, Robert Tepper and John Cafferty are all wonderful and I still listen to them quite regularly. The montage of Rocky training in the Russian wilderness is also a very nice change to juxtapose with the montages in the previous films.
The Cold War aspects are very interesting too, even though they are sometimes quite silly. The portrayal of Drago as a quiet, Frankenstein-like brute is unusual, but I appreciate that they tried to make the character seem monstrous to compliment his superhuman strength. In general, I just think that it was really cool to see the screenplay adapt itself to a suitable period in history. Another moment when the Soviet people 'boo' Rocky and show strong patriotism for their country when their anthem plays before the match is no doubt an interesting scene, but I'm actually somewhat confused that they would present the Soviets in such a negative way, but have Rocky give a speech for peace between the USA and the USSR. Merely a question that remains unanswered in my mind.
Rocky IV isn't the sort of movie you take seriously. The serious drama has been drained and has been replaced with action, music and montages and some propaganda, but it has developed a charm of its own and can be heavily enjoyed despite some shortcomings. Rocky IV is a great movie and a solid installment in this wonderful franchise.
8/10