unnecessary

Rating: Null/10 (14 March 2002)

Fifth installment to the long-running Rocky series may be well-intended, but it's far from entertaining and doesn't seem to have any real significance. Rocky, having suffered considerable amounts of brain damage from his most recent grueling battle, returns home from the Soviet Union only to find that he's now bankrupt and forced to move back into his old neighborhood. Still lauded by those around him, he begins training a talented newcomer who predictably gains a big head and challenges the scrappy veteran to one last battle. Can you guess what happens next? The franchise was already running out of steam, but this dull sequel doesn't have any memorable training montages or exciting ring bouts which could've at least gotten the adrenaline pumping. Ranks up there with the long list of sequels that should've been shelved. **