Didn`t Knock Me Out

Rating: 4/10 (12 August 2004)

After a recap of the most unlikely world heavyweight boxing contest in history ( One fighter is American , one is Russian and both are white ) ROCKY V actually gets off to a good start as we`re introduced to a fast talking opportunist Don King clone called George Washington Duke , and we then find out that Rocky and his family are going to be falling on hard times . I really had high hopes for the movie at this point since a Don King type exploiting boxers who are in dire financial straits is a very realistic plot
However things start going awry for a cynical viewer since we`re treated to dumb jokes :
Knock knock
Who`s there ?
Madam
Madam who ?
My damn foot got caught in the door again
and an excess of honey coated sentiment . We`re shown a flashback of Rocky remembering his mentor and trainer Mickey Goldmill and it`s impossible to watch this sequence without grabbing for an insulin injection . It also shows up what a wooden actor Mr Stallone is . There`s also other subplots that won`t appeal to a more cynical audience like Rocky`s son finding love amidst a tough school
I will be honest and say that this sequel is far far better than ROCKY 4 which was basically an MTV video but did we really need a franchise involving a movie that deserved one sequel at most ?