Rocky takes the Mickey role

Rating: 6/10 (11 March 2011)

This part of the "Rocky"-series tries to go back to basics, and hell it almost works. They even rehired original director John G. Avildsen, A for effort. However, some things just kinda bring this movie down. First of all, you have the fact that Avildsen isn't really that great. The entries that Stallone directed had just as much visual flair (if not more), so what's really the point of hiring an outside guy again? Furthermore, the plot to this movie seems crummy. Rocky suddenly just loses all his money, when what now? Yeah yeah Paulie accidentally signed something yadda yadda yadda more vague movie reasons, on with the show. Back to his old neighbourhood he goes, whatever works. Then you have the new characters, who are just really bland. Tommy Gunn is by far the most boring boxer in the entire franchise, and Duke (not the same "Duke" from the previous ones mind you, was it really that hard to come up with some different name?) is such a cardboard villain you think you're watching a kid's movie. However, this shouldn't suggest there's nothing good about this movie. The bits with Rocky's son actually work well this time around, even though Sage Stallone can't really act. I'm also quite glad Talia Shire finally gets something to do besides looking worried for 90 minutes. Here it's just 80 minutes of looking worried and some good emotional speeches. "Rocky V" will probably always be the black sheep of the family, but it still has its merits.