Eight stars?! Yes, for personal camp value!

Rating: 8/10 (7 February 2005)

I might be biased because this was my favorite movie as an eleven-year-old (it even spawned a crush on boxer/actor Tommy Morrison)and brings those childhood memories rushing back each time I watch it. But "Rocky 5" happens to be my favorite of the Rocky movies ... that I have seen. Granted, I still have yet to watch the original, but none of the second, third, or fourth Rockys had the heart and actual story (albeit a cheesy one) that "Rocky 5" has.
"Rocky 5" is directed by the same man who made the first Rocky movie (John G. Avildsen) and stars Sylvester Stallone (you're kidding!), as now ex-boxer Rocky Balboa. Rocky damaged his brain in his previous adventure, so this film has him in retirement mode. Unfortunately, Rocky's brother-in-law Paulie (the reliable Burt Young) has also managed to inadvertently swindle Rocky out of his money. Nevertheless, Rocky takes his wife Adrienne (Talia Shire), son Robert (Stallone's real life son Sage; who was a young boy in "Rocky 4", but is suddenly about 13 in this one, despite the time passage of a month or two, tops), and even hapless Paulie and moves them to the rough streets of Philadelphia -- his hometown -- so that they may start a new, peaceful life.
Then trouble comes along in the form of young Oklahoma boxer Tommy Gunn (real-life boxer Morrison), who had been more or less stalking his hero, Rocky. Tommy casually meets up with Rocky and asks to stay with him in his home and learn from him. Rock's more than happy to oblige when he sees the boxer's talent. Soon Rocky is caught up in managing this boxer, and keeping his own talent and image up through Tommy (ignoring his jealous son in the process). But some bad guys, led by an ersatz Don King character named Richard Gant, and who can offer Tommy more money than Rocky (plus a red-headed bimbo!)... notice Tommy too, and persuade him to join up with them. Tommy is naive and confused, but he finally does join forces with the Bad Guys. This wounds Rocky's soul. Still, he keeps his faith in the youngster until Tommy commits the "never-been-done" act of saying (on national television) he has someone to thank ... then pausing, leaving Rocky sure Tommy is going to say his name ... and then, of course, thanking Ersatz Don King instead. Finally Rocky fights his last battle, against Tommy. This climactic scene is perhaps the most entertaining one in the entire movie, courtesy of Ersatz Don King! ("Touch me, and I'll sue you!", he warns Rocky.)
The action scenes are well done. The acting isn't too bad either-- I'm no Stallone fan, but he's good with the Rocky character, and Morrison gives a fairly auspicious acting debut, considering. Fans of the original Rocky might not think this fifth chapter of his tale does the character justice, but I think many will find this watchable in a campy, guilty-pleasure sort of way.