Rocky IV
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 “If he dies, he dies.” - Ivan Drago
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Rocky IV (or known as Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago in the Director's Cut) is a 1985 American sports drama film written, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone. The film co-stars Dolph Lundgren, Burt Young, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers, Tony Burton, Brigitte Nielsen and Michael Pataki. Rocky IV was the highest-grossing sports movie for 24 years, before it was overtaken by The Blind Side. It is the sequel to the 1982 film Rocky III and was later followed by Rocky V in 1990. On November 11, 2021, the film will be re-released as Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago, the director's cut of the film.
Plot
In 1985, Rocky trains his friend, Apollo Creed in a match against Ivan Drago, an indestructible Russian boxer. But when Apollo is killed in the ring during the match, Rocky vows to avenge his friend's death and defeat Drago.
Good Qualities
- It is one of a few Rocky films that managed to be the successful installments in the first three films.
- The idea of a boxing film that involves Rocky encounters with a Soviet boxer is a fantastic fit for the "Good Americans vs. Bad Russians" boxing film. In addition, Rocky Balboa fights a Russian boxer, Ivan Drago! Not only that, it still doesn't serve much purpose, but is still entertaining as hell.
- Sylvester Stallone still gave an amazing performance as Rocky Balboa.
- It retains a load of funny stuff of comedy (except the Sico the Robot scenes).
- The song called Heart's on Fire by John Cafferty, is introduced in this movie which is one of the best moments in the Rocky series.
- The soundtrack that was composed by Vince DiCola (who would later compose the music for The Transformers: The Movie) is brilliantly done.
- Apollo Creed's death is one of the more dramatic and emotional moments in the Rocky series, even more so than the third film.
- The pure entertainment value in this movie is still amazing, just like the third film.
- Captain Ivan Drago (who is played by Dolph Lundgren) is one of the most entertaining villains in the history of the Rocky series. Just like Clubber Lang, he is also the even huger, one Russian-man wrecking machine that he actually 'defeated Apollo Creed during the first fight.
- Fantastic cinematography in boxing scenes.
- The end credits scene with Heart's on Fire is absolutely exciting and even more fantastic than the first three film's end credits.
- The final boxing fight where Rocky Baloba fights with Ivan Drago is absolutely satisfying to the audience.
- Just like the previous films, the opening is epic, and just like Rocky III and Rocky II, it reminds you what happened in the previous film.
Bad Qualities
- It introduces an infamous character named Sico the Robot (aka Paulie's Robot), which doesn't even fit in a Rocky film at all. It is so bad to the point that Sylvester Stallone eventually removed he/her in his director's cut in 2020.
- It can be incredibly campy at a lot of times in many scenes in this film, even more than the third film, though not as bad as the fifth film since the theatrical cut wasn't as great as the director's cut.
- (Spoilers!) Apollo Creed's death is pretty disturbing.
Reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics, however, it was well-received by the audiences and fans of the first three films. The film has a 40% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, from 48 critics, indicating mixed reviews; the critical consensus states, Rocky IV inflates the action to absurd heights, but it ultimately rings hollow thanks to a story that hits the same basic beats as the first three entries in the franchise." On Metacritic, the film has a score of 42 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews."
Gene Siskel of The Chicago Tribune gave the film a 3.5 out of 4 stars, and stated in his review, "[Stallone] creates credible villains worthy of his heroic character.
It is by far the most popular sequels from the Rocky fans of all time.
Trivia
- It is the only film not to feature the Gonna Fly Now song from the first three films.
- The trailer spoils a major part of the film.
- Ivan Drago would later return in Creed II where he has his son fight against Apollo's son, Adonis.
- In August 2020, a directors cut was announced titled Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago - The Ultimate Director's Cut, which adds 38 minutes of unreleased footage and alternate ones as well as removing other scenes from the 1985 version.
Videos
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External links
Rocky IV at the Internet Movie Database
Rocky IV on Rotten Tomatoes
Rocky IV on Metacritic
Rocky IV on Letterboxd