Sure it's dumb. That's the fun.

Rating: 8/10 (2 April 2020)

Magnificent campfest that could have just been an ugly McCarthyist flag waver but backs itself so hard that it becomes a delightful fantasia of masculine splendour.
There is basically no real conflict in the entire movie. There is just a sports game and some kind of principle and based on the premise of Rocky V it totally wasn't even worth it.
This indulges a fantasy of the perfect life but where there is still one more chance to sort of be a hero. There's no real stakes but the whole is realized with theatrical brilliance. The unsubtle dialogue, the vision of the Soviets as these unrelenting high tech machines going up against the wholesome, chopping wood, training style of the Italian American, the half-hearted interpersonal aspect that is resolved way too quickly (thank god) all make this a fun no brainer.
Basically it is a musical. There are some cracking tracks in this especially the amazing "Hearts on Fire" and so much prime montaging skills.
Rocky began as a sincere, kitchen-sink drama of an underdog just trying to go the distance. Now at part 4 it is basically pornography for us weedier guys who love seeing perfect specimens of males killing each other in the ring with a pseudo-patriotic twist.