All Comments about...

Rocky IV 1985

Oh Rocky IV, the worst of the Rocky films in some ways. But also the most Rocky in others. Also, the film that is pretty much all montage. I mean, how many montages can one film take? Rocky IV certainly pushes the envelope there.

It is a bad film. I don’t think I could argue otherwise.

But, then again, Rocky. So I gotta love it, at least a little.

loading replies

If he dies he dies because you will lose and I muss break you

loading replies

Half an hour in and this really doesn't feel like a Rocky film. What the hell is up with the robot and James Brown? I have loved the first three movies more than I expected. 3 might actually be one of my favourite films ever. Really hope this gets better.

loading replies

Eh. It was okay. It was fine. Will I ever watch this again instead of the original? Hell no. Gimme that robot or give me NUTHIN

loading replies

With Rocky IV the franchise fully embraces the cheesy action motif and does so brilliantly. When Soviet boxer Ivan Drago comes to America Apollo Creed challenges him to an exhibition match, but when it ends in tragedy Rocky must risk everything to avenge Creed. Dolph Lundgren gives an excellent performance as Drago; making him one on the most iconic villains of the franchise. And the slick, stylized montages (which have become a staple of the series) have never been done better. Watching the montage of Rocky and Drago training (set to “Heart’s On Fire”), it’s hard not to get fired up. Plus, the boxing scenes themselves are outstanding. Rocky verses the Russians was a natural place to take the series in the mid-80s, and Rocky IV stands as a quintessential Cold War ‘80s action film.

loading replies

Imperialist chant in the Reagan administration.

loading replies

The run times of the Rocky films have an interesting trajectory, with the first and second being approximately 2 hours, but the third cutting 20 minutes and the fourth cutting another 10, down to an incredibly lean 90 minutes. What makes that even crazier, is that each Rocky sequel (up to the fourth anyway, haven't watched the rest yet) has opened with 3-5 minutes that is directly lifted from the previous movie. On top of that, this entry has no less than 3 extended montages that amount to entire music videos, eating up another 15 minutes of run time. Moral of the story is, there isn't much meat on these bones. The story is superficial and rushed and, as with Rocky III, what little dialogue there is, is generally melodramatic and on the nose. The US/Soviet angle is the only unique element, but it's as surface level as the rest of the film, though Dolph Lundgren does deserve some props as the suitably intimidating Ivan Drago.

loading replies

Ironically, Rocky IV proves that the fourth movie in a series can sometimes be the best. It takes the iconic Rocky Balboa to new heights. This film is filled with some intense moments and an emotionally charged storyline. It may have taken the series to its peak, making it a standout in the Rocky saga.

loading replies

Following up with what made III succeed, IV gets even more extreme with the villain and the corresponding stakes. While the plot is once again a step back from what the original achieved, this might be the most rewatchable of any of the Rocky films! Highly enjoyable and memorable!

Rating: 3.5/5 - 8/10 - Would Recommend

loading replies

Fair 4th film. Would have rather seen a different plot with the continuation of Rocky and Apollo’s relationship like them opening up their own gym but instead you get another new foe and they go about taking him out together. Until things go wrong and Rocky has to dig deep which brings up a lot of the past and it kind of tied things together well.

loading replies

This version is infinitely better than the theatrical cut, and I'm pretty surprised. This is almost a new film. We get to see more of Drago's point of view, which is a huge plus. Fewer montage scenes, but the good ones are kept in. The film transfer is incredible. Right before the big fight at the end, on the 4k transfer you can see every single bead of sweat on Drago's face.

Most of the time when I see a director's cut you get one or two extended scenes that have little consequence and don't change the flow of the film at all, and/or that new footage looks like it was pulled out of the bottom of a dungeon so the quality is horrible. None of that is true with this cut. I urge any fan of the Rocky franchise to watch this. It's so damn good.

loading replies

With "Rocky IV," the series had left the realm of reality by the mid-1980s. Really everything is exaggerated here: the fights, the training montage, the physical fitness of the boxers, the chauvinism, as well as the political significance of a single boxing match. Rocky is more superhero than athlete here. And even though Dolph Lundgren as Ivan Drago is a truly iconic opponent, there's hardly anything human about him. He seems more like a typical comic book villain. But it's precisely because the film is so ridiculous in many places that it works particularly well for me. It may not be the Oscar fare that the first film is, but this sequel is definitely entertaining in its megalomania. Even if Paulie and that really stupid robot are massively annoying, "Rocky IV" has truly earned its cult status.

loading replies

Paulie’s robot is cut out which is a good thing but that is about the only humor the movie had, if you think about it. What’s left is pure adrenaline and no nonsense.

loading replies

Maybe it’s because I’m a GenX but I preferred the original, this version is good certainly but I dunno, something got lost in the translation.

loading replies

This movie bleeds red, white and blue, baby!

Fun movie was top grossing Rocky movie but a step down from 3. Montages dominate the film, but that keeps it running at a quick pace that was needed in some of the previous films.

loading replies

The whole second act feels like one long montage. Traveling and training and growing a beard. Ivan Drago is probably the best villain of the series. Rocky gets to be all patriotic and try and end the cold war.

loading replies
Loading...