Character flaws

Rating: 1/10 (26 June 2012)

Rocky V was a major disappointment in the Rocky series. While I could be here for days trying to address the flaws in this film (you can read the many other negative reviews for that), I'm going to address the biggest problem I had with the movie. The character development was all wrong.
First of all, let's discuss Rocky. I think Rocky had reached a certain maturity as the series progressed from Rocky I to Rocky IV. In Rocky V, he seemed to have reverted back to his younger personality. Now, I would say this is because he has returned to his Philly roots, but the flawed character was evident from the very beginning of the movie, before the family's financial woes. Don't get me wrong, I loved Rocky I and found the Rocky character very likable. If the intention of this movie was to bring out his younger personality, it was done poorly. All the maturity Rocky had acquired through his many trials and tribulations totally went out the window for no reason. Granted, losing your wealthy lifestyle is a major change, but your not going to totally change your personality.
I also had a major problem with Adrian's character. She was a completely different person and her chemistry with Rocky did not show in this movie. In Rocky V she suddenly becomes very assertive, even when dealing with the press and in public situations. This is totally contrary to the reserved, shy character we had known previously. I think this change in character was a big reason the chemistry between her and Rocky did not work. The moments Rocky and Adrian got into heated conversations became special, intimate moments in the previous installments. Those moments had no effect on me in Rocky V. The shyness of her character was integral to making those moments special, because when Adrian did come out of her shell it was usually only with Rocky in a private moment.
It became very hard for me to buy into this story line because of these character flaws. I just couldn't get over it. I'm going to pretend this movie never happened. Rocky V? Never happened!