Hard to Watch

Rating: 2/10 (26 December 2017)

I'd like to consider this film the black sheep of the Rocky series. Our rags to riches streetwise boxer is now surrounded by all the luxuries life has to offer while still holding on strong to the world title, and has now turned his once greatest foe, Apollo Creed, to his greatest friend. However, Apollo is keen to restore his name when the Soviet Union enters the boxing scene, presenting the 6'5" punching machine; Ivan Drago. In the ring Drago unleashes a killer punch on Creed, demonising the remorseless Russian. Rocky is left distressed by the sudden death and vows to fight Drago in Moscow to not just avenge Creed, but also to put a stop to this soviet scheme. In traditional Rocky fashion, he wins.
The politics in this film reflect the time and send a clear message: America Good, Russia Bad. There are many details that make this film unconvincing, but the main point, in simple terms, is that Rocky is fighting a man who is funded by the government to destroy Americans. His opponent has no personality. He is a robot. Rocky has also lost his likable characteristics in his wealth and vanity. Say what you will about Rocky V, but Rocky is best when he returns to his roots.
This film lacks the motivational kick that the other Rocky films have. All the other Rocky films I have finished in one sitting, but this one had to be stretched out over the course of three days. Sometimes I asked myself if I really needed to watch it until the end because I knew he was going to win anyway, but as a Rocky fanatic I felt the need to consume all the media I could find in the fear that I'd miss a slight detail affecting the rest of the series. The only thing you need to know is that Apollo is now dead. If you don't particularly care for the Rocky series, give this a skip. If you're a Rocky fan you have a 50/50 chance of liking this film. The film deserved an extra star because it still has the mildly well-choreographed fight scenes and entertaining training montage, but nothing that stands out compared to the others.
Sly, we know commies are bad. We didn't need a Rocky film about it.