80's mindless magic

Rating: 9/10 (14 September 2009)

I can completely understand the negative reviews for rocky 5 but why does this masterpiece(haha!) receive such bad reviews.The majestic opening scene which sticks with the perfect rocky formula of using 5 mins of footage from the last movie to make it easier to conjure up a feature films length happily remains.If you look closely the American glove destroys the soviet when they meet.What??!!! surely this is giving the ending away I thought Rocky couldn't win this one!!! This movie is nonstop fun from the start.Along with Arnies Commando I've seen this more than any other movie.(Nightly I think growing up)I'm not saying the money made from a movie is a vindication for it but this is the only film series ever made where each sequel does better than the previous installment.2 made more money than 3.4 made more than 3 etc.Up until 5 of course.The music as always is brilliant melted cheese.Hearts on fire! Strong desire! Is it east versus west or man against man? Its a boxing match lads come on.Ivan Drago has to be up there with Vader for movie villains.There's no conceivable way Rocky could ever win.Drago is stronger younger healthier quicker taller bigger and probably smarter!(and he's on steroids!) And man for a short haired woman Dragos wife is hot.The killing of Apollo is a brave move and a justifiable reason for Rocky to don the gloves one more time.Oh ya it was clearly murder the ref tries to split them up and Drago pushes the REF away!I know it sounds like I'm insulting the movie but its all these things that make it so good.Rocky buys Pauli a robot in 1985 and the artificial intelligence of it is still beyond anything today its absolutely ridiculous.The move to Russia for training was a great idea and feels fresh.I loved the contrasts in the fighters training methods although it looked like Drago was training harder.Tony,Apollos trainer does a great job of hyping Rocky and the audience up.He's not a machine he's a man with tears in his eyes and spit from his mouth.The fight I think is the best in the series.No human could ever survive it.One or two of the 10000 punches they each get would kill a man.It goes the distance of course.I only wish they got the usual 2 commentators for the fight.Don't know why because they do the Drago Apollo fight earlier but the new guys do a decent job as well. Rocky 1 :best acting,story,yawn Rocky 2 :best training montage Rocky 3 :best soundtrack.Mr.T rules and Apollo befriending Rocky.class Rocky 4 :BEST Rocky 5 :suicidally bad Rocky 6 :meh! pretty good Rocky 7 :Mr.T rapes Adrian and kidnaps Rockys son.Rocky strikes up a friendship with Drago(He can change remember!)who helps track down Mr.T with the help of the k.g.b. Meanwhile Rocky sleeps with Dragos wife resulting in a triple threat match to the death between them.Pauli comes out on top as always.