Rocky V (1990) User Reviews

Rocky V: Different Doesn't Always Mean Bad

[eyesmalloy · 6/10 · 10 January 2015]

Rocky fans are sharply divided when it comes to this fifth and almost last installment in the Rocky franchise, many considering it the lowest point in the series. Whether it is or not, it's certainly the most unique. The story is not so focused on Rocky himself, but split between Rocky, the troubles of his son, and the rise of his protégé Tommy Gunn. That splintering as well as the change in format and the street fight ending are the biggest issues fans have with Rocky V. And of course, Tommy's mullet.

When people fall in love with a film, or film series, the last thing they want is something different. Most filmgoers want to see the same thing over and over with only very modest changes in characterization and story. Rocky through Rocky IV all had roughly the same storyline: Rocky wants to quit fighting, someone convinces him to fight, he trains hard, and finally he dukes it out in the ring with a bigger, stronger, larger-than-life opponent. Sometimes he wins, sometimes he loses. This is the Rocky film fans were used to seeing. Rocky V takes a new road entirely and shows our hero in a very different light.

Adrian's brother Paulie is definitely the antithesis of Rocky in the films. He mistreats Adrian, drinks like a fish, and at times shows extreme jealousy and aggression toward Rocky. At the beginning of Rocky V, Paulie tops all past shenanigans by gambling away Rocky's fortune, forcing the family to return to the dingy, crime-riddled Philadelphia neighborhood where they started. Why does Rocky keep putting up with Paulie's bad behavior? We all love Rocky in part because his heart is bigger than his brain, but this time around the Italian Stallion seems denser than usual. While it is explained early on that Rocky has actually suffered some permanent brain damage, he is a little too oblivious here.

During most of Rocky V, we just want to smack Rocky across the face and tell him to wake the heck up. We can sort of understand why he keeps Paulie under his roof despite his costly blunder, but what follows is nothing less than a string of bad decisions by a Rocky who's clearly asleep at the wheel. He ignores his son's obvious need for attention and guidance, he takes an ungrateful punk under his wing and lives vicariously through him, and he allows a slimy Don King-like boxing promoter walk all over him. Adrian, meanwhile, is wide awake but her repeated attempts to shake Rocky out of his fantasy are in vain because he just won't listen.

Probably the biggest complaint of Rocky V is the ending. All of the other five Rocky films spend their final fifteen minutes in the ring. Not this one. Instead, Rocky's former protégé Tommy challenges him to a bare-knuckle fist fight on the street. Since Tommy is technically the heavyweight champion now, and because the fight is relatively short and doesn't take place in the ring, it does feel a bit unofficial. It makes sense that the audience would want to see Rocky retain his title one last time and that doesn't happen. Furthermore, the film's closing credits are superimposed over a slideshow of memorable moments from the entire series, making it feel even more final.

Having said all of this, the truth is that Rocky V is still a pretty good movie. It may have some frustrating, even awkward scenes, but it's packed with real emotion and is generally well made. The best news of course is that Rocky V isn't the end anyway. Stallone wisely decided to make another film sixteen years later - the surprisingly great Rocky Balboa - which closely mimics the original and gives this spectacular series the ending it deserves.

I love the Rocky movies. Having recently bought the Heavyweight Collection on Blu-ray and watched them chronologically, I have nothing but respect for Stallone and love for his alter-ego. Each entry in the Rocky series is a worthy chapter and none of them stray too far from their origins. From that perspective, I'd go so far as to say the Rocky series is probably the most consistently good film series ever made. Every series has its black sheep and Rocky V is certainly that. But does that make it a bad film? I don't think so.

"All those fighters you beat, you beat them with heart, not muscle. That's what Mickey knew; that's why Mickey and you were special."

[ackstasis · 6/10 · 22 February 2007]

Coming into the most lowest-regarded 'Rocky' sequel (amongst both critics and passionate fans of the series), I must admit that I felt a certain trepidation. Whilst I had enjoyed the wildly over-the-top shenanigans of 'Rocky IV,' it wasn't what you'd call a good film, and had simply become the clichéd story of a champion boxer's underdog victory, not making any attempts to expand on the character of Rocky Balboa or his relationship with family and friends. Rocky's fifth outing is generally considered to be considerably worse, frequently denounced by Stallone himself.

Whilst 'Rocky V' is most certainly not a classic, I can admire what it was attempting. Whilst Sylvester Stallone himself had helmed the first three sequels, 'Rocky V' was directed by John G. Avildsen, winner of a Best Director Oscar for the original film. This film attempts to break the mould set by the sequels, most notably by not including any scenes with Rocky in the boxing ring (except, of course, for the obligatory flashback opening to Rocky's bout of the previous film). Having been diagnosed with brain damage from his clash with Ivan Drago, Rocky is done with fighting. To make matters worse, he loses his entire fortune when his brother-in-law Paulie (Burt Young) mistakenly signs the power-of-attorney over to a dodgy accountant. To fill the void in his life, Rocky begins training others to box, taking an enthusiastic, hungry young boxer, Tommy "The Machine" Gunn (Tommy Morrison), under his wing.

Rocky perceptibly sees, in Tommy, a younger version of himself; under-privileged, but avid for glory, and willing to take any steps to achieve it. In helping Tommy, however, Rocky grows further apart from his son, Rocky Jr. (played by Sage Stallone, and looking as though his character has aged about five years in the time that it took for Rocky to return from Russia) and his loving wife Adrian (Talia Shire). Rocky Jr., an intelligent young lad in his early teens, feels neglected by his father and takes up boxing in an attempt to get noticed, eventually becoming a rebellious street punk.

Often misunderstood - and reviled by many fans for a lack of "action" - 'Rocky V' is a competent addition the series, and is, at least, superior to its direct predecessor. Unlike 'IV,' this Rocky film attempts (albeit, only partially successfully) to develop Rocky's character, and his family relationships. There is even a stirring flashback featuring Mickey (Burgess Meredith), quite possibly the most powerful moment in the film. Paulie is rescued from the role of comic-relief, and actually has something relevant to say. Adrian and Rocky face challenges, and their commitment is tested, but they manage to pull through. The film brings viewers back to the scenario of the original film – Rocky is no longer wealthy and living the easy life. He is back where he started, and must fight his way back to glory, not with his own failing body, but through Tommy. The only problem is that Tommy, despite having the ambition and the skill, lacks Rocky's passion and heart, resulting in his own eventual downfall.

Not as bad as a lot of people say

[Joe-290 · 6/10 · 7 January 2000]

This movies which has to come in its title number is the fifth best of the Rocky films. It has not got the same power as the first 2 but is still very emotionally tought and strong and sends across a message like the other movies. Stallone like he always has been is great with the part. The script really does have its moments of splendour and with sadness. Scenes such as Balboas recolections on the past and his time with his friend and coach Mickey. Extremely emotional movie but of course only in scene such as that and also when his wife tries to pur across he devoted love for the boxer. Its powerfuls and tought like the whole series is.

The films are the most realistic film series based on true life. True griet. True feelings and love. Now, Rocky loses his money plus gets brain damage, just how bad can a life get. Now not been able to box becomes a coach but soon gets betrayed by his student as another promoter with more money and power takes control of him and leaves Rocky all alone with nowhere to go.

Although there is no ring fight, do not worry as there is a more personel than ever with more strenght and skill in a tough and rough and mean street fight. Definatley the least best in the series but still not bad and not as bad as what people say as it does contain all life based aspects. Very good and absolutley worth a watch more times than the very bad Star Wars.

A wonderful movie about father and son

[Margaux1 · 29 June 2003]

Sometimes it gets annoying to me how critical people are of the Rocky series. It's like they feel like they have to say terrible things about it, probably because people can be so negative that they can't find it in themselves to believe that a 'less than intelligent' person with heart, drive and passion can move mountains and achieve success.

I personally thought this, and every other Rocky movie, was fabulous. I thought Sage Stallone was amazing in his debut as Rocky's son. Also, this movie showed a more real side of boxing, the business side, with exploitative agents and corrupt business tactics.

Some may think the Rocky series is an unrealistic saga, but Rocky IV proves it isn't. The person we saw struggle, fight, and grow rich is now back to square one...minus all the money but still with the heart.

I saw this movie and it brought tears to my eyes. It shows how wrapped up we can become when trying to achieve our goals through others and how it affects people around us.

I thought it was an interesting storyline and was a lot better than people give it credit for.

I'll pass

[deli584876 · 1/10 · 20 June 2009]

Being an 8 yr old kid going with my friends to the one screen corner theater to see the first Rocky movie in 1976 is an experience that will be forever stamped into my childhood memories. I'll never forget how thrilled and excited the whole audience felt when leaving the theater.

A few years later when Rocky II came out, the charm and emotion was still there and it was a pretty good sequel. But the problem with it was it was too predictable. You knew before the movie began that Rocky would win this time or else why would they bother to make a sequel in the first place? Rocky III was a good adrenaline pumper and served as a good promotional movie for Survivor's new album as well as a launching pad for Hulk Hogan's and Mr.T's careers. But the problem with it was Rocky's character is so far removed from the one we grew to love. He is no longer the 2nd rate underdog boxer or the "wise guy" street tough who lives in squalor. He's now a rich classy celebrity type figure who speaks articulately and now has an iron jaw and can take a thousands punches that should have rendered him unconscious.

Rocky IV was a clear indication that the series had gone way too far. Although a good popcorn movie, it was still pretty lame. The movie was more like an hour and a half long MTV video. Way too many songs, montages, and dragged out training scenes that served as fillers in lieu of an actual script and the idea of a boxer turned world peace negotiator was just cringe worthy.

And finally, Rocky V was just all around bad. Rocky losing his fortune and moving back to the Philadelphia streets was an obvious attempt to recapture the charm of the original. But unfortunately, it fell way short. The movie was more like a "Daddy's not paying enough attention to me" soap opera that focused too much on Rocky's dorky and unlikeable son who's daddy is too busy training his new protégé Tommy Gunn and is constantly hounded by the Don King type character Duke to get back in the ring. I'm sure that even Sylvetser Stallone himself would love to have this stinker surgically removed from the series.

Give it a chance.

[jonnyabomb · 7/10 · 15 April 2006]

For some reason or another, certain movies achieve a reputation as being worse than they actually are. Rocky V is one such film that is affected by the – as I call it – Phantom Menace syndrome. This refers to Movies that are interesting in their own way but fail to live up to the hype or expectation of previous instalments, or simply do not follow the formula that everyone derided for being too predictable anyway. For me, Rocky V is the best of the sequels to the 1976 original, as it does not follow in the Rocky tradition of simply having a bigger guy to fight than in the previous film. Rocky IV was a great spectacle but it was more comical than anything to think that an entire Russian government could be funding one over-sized boxer who could kill a man with one flurry of punches, not to mention turn a blind eye to illegal doping. The fifth instalment in the anthology goes back to the more personal story of the character, and deals much more realistically with the aftermath of loss and the twisted nature of professional prize fighting.

Stallone recruited his own son for the role of Robert (Rocky's son) and the result is one of the best father son relationships ever committed to celluloid. The scene where Rocky realises that he has been a negligent father and must make his peace with the boy is affectionate and heartfelt and could never been as realistic without the real life history behind these two people.

OK, there are some flaws and I am not too naive to suggest this movie is worthy of an Oscar. The casting of Tommy 'The Machine' Gunn could have been better as real life boxer Tommy Morrison sometimes appears wooden and is never really threatening enough to Rocky for the final fight to have any tangible tension. Similarly, aside from the final tune of Elton John's 'The measure of a man' the music does not measure up to the awesome and inspirational anthems that have accompanied previous instalments. Any Flick in the early nineties that used rap music as its primary soundtrack has ultimately dated for a modern audience.

My advice would be to watch this movie in full before you judge it. There are some sad moments in this fall from grace story as well as few goofs in terms of weak acting. But it's not as bad as people say and as the sixth instalment nears completion it's about time everyone got back into the Rocky spirit for one more round.

A good film. 7/10

Not that bad a movie

[anonreviewer · 5/10 · 23 October 2004]

A lot of IMDb posters are kinda trashing this movie, and Rocky V ain't exactly The Deer Hunter or THe Seventh Seal, or anything like that, but this movie is better than the IMDb readers have rated it (4.0). It should be rated at least a 5.5 to 6.0.

This movie has some stuff going for it: it has a good little storyline, with lots of local Philly flavor in it. Nice plot complications, if a little predictable.

THe climax is also a bit predictable, but well done. Great production values and good music.

THe Rocky movies in general have taken a lot of abuse, but Rocky V does not deserve the abuse it has gotten here. And it deserves better than a 4.0!

Fans Of The Series Should Still Like This One, Too

[ccthemovieman-1 · 7/10 · 15 November 2006]

I think this was the only Rocky film I never saw at the theater. I guess I'd had enough by then. However, I did catch this on VHS and, despite all the negative opinions I had read concerning it, I was glad I saw it. It was typical Rocky entertainment: hokey but satisfying and generally enjoyable.

Richard Gant did a nice job impersonating Don King and Tommy Morrison, a real-life fighter, turned out to be a pretty good actor. Again, we see the familiar characters of Rocky, still sounding stupid; wife Adrian, older-looking but still faithful to her husband, and Paulie, still a slob and a low-life.

The final scene provides the usual over-done fight with.....well, if you've seen the others and enjoyed them - the fights and the stories - you should like this, too.

So Rocky's a bum

[louis1011 · 1/10 · 12 July 2019]

This movie is so dumb. How can the biggest star and athlete of this generation just run out of money. Oh wait my bad he lets his butcher brother in law manage his millions of dollars. And also he could have easily got all of that money back with advertising. After all Rocky had just won the world heavyweight championship. And that's just the first act. If you're a Rocky fan like me just skip this one.

A Must See For Any Rocky Fan

[shanegerald · 7/10 · 10 February 2006]

By all means, I don't believe this is an Oscar movie, or even the best in the Rocky series. However if you are a true Rocky fan, you will really enjoy this movie. It shows a great side of Rocky that is more outside the ring, and we get to go back to the streets where the original Rocky started. The Flash backs of Mick in the Gym with young Rocky just might bring a tear to your eye. And then of course there is still Paulie who delivers one of his best lines in the entire series. "Hey Rock, what do you say we go wrap our teeth around a few cold ones." The final fight seen is a little drawn out, but this is Rocky who can get knocked down 20 times in a fight and still win. Plus the final fight is a good old fashioned street fight, which I thought was great. Any true Rocky fan will love this movie.

Even if it try. Rocky V couldn't fight itself out of a paper bag. This movie is super weak. It's not worth going for it.

[ironhorse_iv · 5/10 · 26 August 2019]

This fifth movie and apparently then conclusion in the series, was not good. It turn away so many fans. So far, it's the only film in the Rocky saga to have lost money at the box office. Directed by John G. Avildsen, the flick tells the story of boxer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) learning how to deal with retirement after suffering numerous concussions, meanwhile training a new fighter Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison) to take his place. Without spoiling the movie too much, thank God for 2006 'Rocky Balboa' & 2015 'Creed', because the franchise could had ended with a sour note. Originally pitch with the boxer meeting his end with an unplanned street fight. The film's climax was rewritten by Stallone after noticing how overall unpleasant, it was. So he changed it for the better; which was the best decision. The whole idea of him giving up and dying very weakly goes against everything that the franchise was teaching its viewers. Regardless, the new ending still didn't go the distance. It didn't really resolve any of Rocky's financial & fatherhood issues with his son Robert (Sage Stallone). That's one of the biggest faults of the movie. We never got to see if the boxer would be alright with putting his gloves away for good and survive through other means. It felt unfinished. In fact, a big takeaway here is that violence is still the best and perhaps only way to solve any and all conflicts. Be it Rocky's issues with over the top cartoony character, George Washington Duke (Richard Gant) or Robert's bullies. That's isn't really a good moral message when you think about it. After all, being brave doesn't mean, you go out looking for trouble. As for the music. It's mostly a miss for me. This movie doesn't have best training montage to pump up. The hip hop music is really dated and doesn't really related much to what happening in the film. It's honestly pretty disappointing to listen to. Plus, I hate that "Gonna Fly Now" is not never really heard in the film. Regardless, the action scenes throughout the film, still look pretty fake and hokey even with the alternate fight work print. The hits don't even land at times. It's sucks, because Morrison was honestly a really good boxer in real life. Although, the action scenes with him were below average, his acting was decent. He really did some great delivery with passion at certain parts in the film. One such example was the dinner scene where Tommy talks about his father. Nevertheless, it's Michael Williams, the other boxer performer that really fall flat here. Not only is his shadow boxing, very poor in the film, but he barely shows any characteristics as Union Cane. While, it's true that Williams and Morrison were to have an actual match about a month after this movie was released. It had to be canceled, because Williams hurt himself. As for Stallone, he was alright in the film. I do like his acting even if Rocky's lethal form of 'brain damage', was inaccurate portrayal. Regardless, it's just nice to see the effects of head injuries like concussions being actually honest meaningful discussed here, even if it was briefly shown. His chemistry with his son was fine. Sage was also alright as an actor, despite being a little annoying at parts. As for Adrian (Talia Shire) Rocky's wife, Shire as a performer isn't given much to do, besides being supported. She was just fine in the role. Unfortunately, one subplot I didn't really like was the boxer's brother in law Paulie (Burt Young) falling for unrealistic schemes and losing nearly all of Rocky's money. Especially when Paulie never once apologize or try to make amends. That character is just too unlikeable in this movie. Yet, Rocky is willing to defend him even till in the end. It makes no logical sense. It didn't seem real. The movie would had work better if Rocky was defending his son's honor rather than Paulie. After all, it's Robert that suffer the most from Tommy's actions. As for idea of them, moving back to the slums. It felt like an unrealistic extreme setback. Even with the limited amount of money, they should had been more well off than they were portrayal. Don't get me wrong, 'fall from grace' storylines are great, but unfortunately this felt like a rethread. We already saw them deal with money problems and injuries in the 1979 sequel 'Rocky II'. This film didn't give us, much of anything new. Honestly, the movie would had work better if the 'riches to rags' story took place somewhere else than the Kensington area of Philadelphia. Look I get that having it take place in that area, was obvious attempt to recapture the magic and charm of the original 1976 movie, but awkwardly, it felt more jarring than emotional impactful, especially in parts, such as Rocky visiting his old gym or Adrian being forced to get her old job at the pet shop back. While the director's cut version explains those scenes with more context and reasons with Marie (Jodi Letizia) reprising her role from the first movie as an emotional backdrop. Her scenes near the bar along with some of the flashbacks of Mickey (Burgess Meredith) were sadly cut from the theatrical film. Because of that, we never really got to truly understand why Rocky act the way, he does. It was muddled much in the same way, how Robert age from five to ten between films. Overall: This is the only film in the franchise so far, that I really do hate. Sadly, like most of the audience, this movie was not a huge hit with me. Because of that, it was not quite the knockout, I was hoping for. It truly didn't rock my world.

This movie is really underrated

[jlivesay2010 · 8/10 · 9 March 2009]

This movie I know people did not really enjoy. But in a way it is underrated. Because it does really get Mickey back in the show (which Rocky IV stayed away from). I got sad towards the beginning when Rocky goes back to the old neighborhood one night and goes to Mickey's gym and at the end when Rocky is thinking back to what Mickey was telling him in the first two. It also really does have a father son theme in it. I felt sorry for his son. Tommy Morrison did a good job in playing his character. All the Rocky movies to me are the same because they all have there specialties. So yea in a way this movie is underrated and actually really sad.

Acceptable follow-up in which Balboa is willing to risk his life against ingrate boxer

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 30 January 2012]

Interesting sequel that works every time and in which beloved Balboa , the one time champion , returns to take on an ingrate contender performed by Tommy Morrison . Officially a sequel is most a rehash but happens to be a nice fifth chapter about Rocky saga with intimate Stallone . Two-bit fighter Rocky is now retired and has hit rock bottom , he lives from records but our hero returns as coach and to face off a daring contender . Reluctantly retired from boxing and back from riches to rags , Rocky takes on a new protégé who betrays him . As the champ's son must adjust to his family's new life on bankruptcy and being ostracized . Although he is homaged as one of the greatest boxing champions in the history also is panned as a down-and-out fighter , being nicknamed as the Chicken Stallion . But ¨The Italian Stallion¨ comes out from retirement for fame and self-respect to combat strongest, youngest and faster contender , despite his own cerebral damage , through a rematch on the streets . While Rocky attempts to prove himself and his family , his wife (Talia Shire), brother-in-law (Burt Young) and his teenager son (Sage Stallone , real-life son plays Rocky Jr).

This enjoyable predictable entertainment displays splendidly the 'formula Rocky'. The movie works at usual manner, fitting appropriately to franchise , even though we know the plot the film works . This soaper on the ring is developed in gentleness, dignity , feel-good style such as the initial outing . Great training montage and spectacular and climatic final bout . Writer-director-actor Stallone new entry is surprisingly entertaining and packs good feeling . Usual and nostalgic musical score by Bill Conti and atmospheric cinematography by Steven Poster . The motion picture is lavishly financed by the producers of complete saga , Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler and well directed by John G Avildsen who along Stallone created the six Rocky saga.

While here the opponent is an invincible young fighter ,champ of the world, played by a real boxer named Tommy Morrison , in previous and subsequent entries the contenders were the following : ¨Rocky I and II¨ was Carl Weathers ; ¨Rocky III¨ after being dethroned by obnoxious , corpulent Mr T from A Team ; ¨Rocky IV¨ against a massive Russian boxer played by Dolph Lundgren ; and ¨Rocky Balboa¨ proving his estranged young son Milo Ventiglimia who still can fight . Rating : Good , being impossible to dislike , the result is deliciously corny agreeable and predictable amusement . Although we've seen it all before , Sylvester manages to make it work one more time and it works every way even better than subsequents Rockys

Rocky V sucked!

[dr_iz_hot · 1/10 · 26 March 2005]

i watched this movie on TV on thursday night and I couldn't believe what i saw. this movie made me cry but for all the wrong reasons! Every 2 seconds I was saying, "What the crap?!" because i just couldn't believe that all those bad things could happen to Rocky so fast. I mean he just got back from Russia and he finds out that his idiot friend, Paulie, signed some paper, which made the Balboa family bankrupt! they lost their estate and all their money, and ended up living back in the area they were living in for Rocky I. I also could not believe how Rocky's son from Rocky IV looked about 8 years old when Rocky left to fight Drago, and then when he gets back, his son in Rocky V, (who is Sylvester Stallone's real-life son) looked about 13 & dorky! It seems that all Sylvester tried to do in the last 2 Rocky movies is somehow get his family involved in the movie, which is not right. Though Rocky's son in Rocky V does look more Italian, it was just not the same. I will never watch this movie again because the plot made me so angry. If they do make a Rocky VI, which i highly doubt since Sylvester Stallone is 60 now i think, i will watch it just to see how it is.

He is going back to where it all began. When you're down and out, the best shot is, simply, to Go for it!

[Old Joe · 16 May 2002]

When a doctor or a family member tells you that the only life you have ever know is over, that can be a pretty bitter pill too swallow. In Rocky V, Rocky Balboa is faced with such a scenario. This movie proves to me that you need to have more than one string to your arrow, as you never know when it might come in handy one day. Rocky V also points out that money and possession are not the important things in life, but family and (true) friends are!

Losing it all does not mean a thing unless you've got something to lose… And Rocky Balboa had it all. Times have changed, though, for former Heavyweight champion of the world. A lifetime of fighting has taken its toll, mentally and physically, and the maneuverings of an scrupulous accountant have left him financially strapped. But resiliency and the ability to come back have been trademarks of the Rocky legend. Just when it looks like the champ is down for the count, he discovers the raw talent of a young fighter named Tommy Gunn, who just might be Rocky's last chance for glory. In a world where achievement is marked by dollars and cents, and in a profession where success is measured in wins and losses, Rocky Balboa knows that, whatever the struggle, your only hope is to give it your best shot.

This film is probably the weakest of the five films in the Rocky series. Yet there are some very good parts to it. The way we see Rocky get over bankruptcy was very good, as is the way he eventually makes his family the most important thing in his life. Again I found this story to be good, though I guess it lacked that real Rocky feel to it, mainly because the champ was unwilling or unable to get into the ring. Stallone has done a grand job in being the writer of all the Rocky films.

The cast make a final appearance, that is reasonably good. Stallone is good as Rocky once again. His character is still trying to make a contribution to fighting, after being told that he can no longer professionally fight in the ring. So he helps out fresh talent, Tommy ‘Machine' Gunn, who is acted by real life boxer Tommy Morrison. I found this character to be just far to arrogant and stubborn, which in a way did not suit being a part of the Balboa corner. Tommy has had an interesting life, not only fighting wise, but in a personal way. He has been caught in drug rackets, drink driving and admitted to the world that he has contracted the fatal HIV virus. I am not so sure he is the greatest of actors though.

The normal cast members were good. Talia Shire's character Adrian, lets the world know that her husband is finished boxing and has nothing else to prove in the boxing ring. Making a special appearance was star from the first three films, that of Burgess Meredith. Just seeing him onscreen was really satisfying. Mickey was a favourite character of mine. I must mention that I liked seeing Stallone's very own son Sage, in Rocky as Rocky's son, Rocky Jnr. He was pretty good as the son that felt left out in the cold. He also has a mean punch like the old man as well.

I found that all the Rocky films had terrific soundtracks. This is due to the great work by composer, Bill Conti. Bill has done a wonderful job in organising the music to go with all the fighting scenes and the poignant scenes which require that tune to set them off just nicely. Rocky five had probably the best song on any of the soundtracks, that being the Elton John hit ‘Measure of a man'. I think it is a wonderful song, with some terrific lyrics. I have loved most of the music that the Rocky movies have given us.

Rocky V might not be the best movie ever made, but it certainly had some sort of impact on me. I believe if a movie only makes a slight impression on you, then it has achieved in a small way what it was meant to do. I heard that plans for Rocky VI were being made, with a script finished by Stallone just a few years ago. Personally, I feel that if it was to be made it would not be that great a film, because Balboa can no longer make a comeback in the ring, and if he does, he could well become as his wife said ‘disabled'. All things being said, these films are a terrific avenue of motivation and can help any person get the spark back to turn their luck around in any venture they pursue.

Rating 3 Stars or 6.5/10

Rocky V is Just not Good

[vav-61764 · 5/10 · 12 December 2015]

Having a story not so engaging while trying to give a new direction in Rocky's life, this fifth film is quite uninteresting and not very exciting. For not having that passion so present that stood out in the first two and the entertainment so present in the fourth, Rocky V develops from a plot that doesn't build up to be as good as it should be, adds many sub-plots, which most are very poorly established, as well as an exaggerated drama and even characters that have already been established undergo changes in their personality, the main example is Adrian. Another problem is the antagonists, they suffer from the same issues that are in the third movie, which is not exploiting and developing seriously these characters making them strong and imposing figures when they're on the screen, passing the image of important individuals, instead, they're very superficial and boring. Something incredible and new from this one is the fact that even the fights aren't good as before, they're well choreographed and filmed, but fail to excite and far from being breathtaking.

Cuz Mickey luvs ya..

[dgl1199 · 7/10 · 22 March 2005]

Sly took a big chance with this one. After IV it was considered over, the Rocky saga ended with illustrious flag-waving camp and post-fight moronic platitudes about political allegiances. I will say though that I did like IV very much, the ending was just a little ridiculous though. Extending the Rocky tale meant an audience was going start off with one question- "Now what?" Rocky Balboa is hands down one of my favorite fictional heroes. He's likable, funny, strong, full of integrity. I really wanted to like this movie. It has problems, though, serious problems. First, the guy loses everything? All the money is gone and he's back on the street? That was a little hard to swallow. Next he decided to train some stalker and mold him into his own image to the detriment of his relationship with his only son? It was a little hard to grasp but I did see where he was going with that. Rocky knew he couldn't, or shouldn't, fight anymore so he lives vicariously and by extension through Tommy Gunn; with Rocky assuming himself as a young "Mickey in the making". It was alluring, to the exclusion of all else. But what I did find very appealing about this movie was the running commentary about the dark side of professional boxing. There was a reason he included a Don Kingish promoter to personify all that is seedy and wrong with the sport. You wanted to kill this guy by the end.

What saves this film is the street fight at the end. I don't think it was the best fight scene of the Rockys but it was damn good and damn intense. Rocky is almost out and we see flashbacks of his earlier defeats as the birdies circle his battered head. Then, in an MTVish style Mickey returns in smoke and strobes and berates him to get on his feet. "You're the champ! He's not a machine! Get up, get on your feet you son of a bitch! Cuz Mickey loves you.." Now THAT was just really cool.

Overall Rocky V Was Indeed A Bad Movie

[HabibieHakim123 · 5/10 · 25 February 2023]

I like the first 20 minutes of Rocky V, but then the rest of the film was just a flat out boring film fills with uninteresting characters and story, my major problem was Tommy, i just cannot click with him for a single second even when the first time they show him, even when he's still friends with Rocky i just never get him, Tommy did not work both in characters and appearance, he's not a good villain like Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang, and Drago, in Rocky V we were going back to a very familiar places, the underground, and it's another things i like was that we can finally see "the old Rocky" back again, and Sylvester Stallone really did the same old Rocky performance, dialogue, style, gesture, and personality and i really really like it, i also like some of the throwback like the priest, and i really do appreciate some of the few scenes and on how it ended i definitely not expecting it and i do appreciate it but again at the same time every time i see Tommy i always feel like he is just not the guy, loved seeing him get beat up but when he's face shown, it was a no, another conflict was Rocky and his son relationship that cracks also did not work for me, couple or three boring long sequence, cheesy moments, and again Tommy, Tommy, and Tommy was just uhhh, so overall Rocky V was simply the worst one in the franchise so far, it could've work if at the very least they got a better actor to play Tommy, and definitely a better story too, it's disappointing to say that overall Rocky V was indeed a bad movie.

Go for it!

[gcd70 · 7/10 · 3 February 2007]

Perhaps this fifth movie in he series will be the final "Rocky"? You never know I guess. Yet this fourth sequel is far more entertaining than the previous film, "Rocky IV".

This time original director John G. Avildsen and writer/star Sylvester Stallone take us back to the heart of Rocky and what he stands for, the people. It's good entertainment, and we touch on the human side of Rocky we've missed for a while.

Talia Shire, Burt Young and Burgess Meredith all return. Stay for the touching montage during the end credits; it's a winner, as is this picture. Go for it!

Saturday, February 16, 1991 - Hoyts Cinema Centre Melbourne

You should've left that bum on the street

[mbramsaur · 3/10 · 6 March 2022]

Rocky V

Is a big let down from the previous film, Rocky IV, where he fights the Russian in honor of his deceased friend, Apollo Creed. Now in this film, we discover that Rocky has severe brain damage from the fight with Drago, and has to retire from boxing. Meanwhile, Polly throws away all of their money in Russia. Forcing them to move back to where it all started, in the cold streets of Philly.

First off, they kept on making the mistake of getting a new kid to play Robert Balboa in every movie. The film takes place right after the events of the fourth film, but when Rocky gets back, his son all of the sudden becomes a teenager. It was nice to see Sylvester Stallone and his son Sage Stallone act in the same film as father and son, but it didn't fit in with the story.

Secondly, the writing was off, Rocky all of the sudden forgets about his friends death, which just happened a few weeks ago. And instead of focusing on Rocky dealing with the guilt of letting his friend die, they focus on him mourning over Micky's death, who passed away in the third film, and has been deceased for years.

Thirdly, they made a huge mistake by bringing in the most annoying character in any of the films, George, the actor was not good at acting, and he loved to yell everything he said.

Thirdly, their biggest mistake was introducing Tommy Gunn, who Rocky just loves and adores more than his own son. Making Robert want to get his father's attention throughout the film. Tommy goes on to becoming a great boxer, but eventually drops Rocky as his trainer, and becomes partners with George. Robert ends up blowing up at his father, making Rocky realize how he was losing his family. Meanwhile, Tommy becomes the heavyweight champion of the world, but gets jealous because everyone brings the attention back to Rocky. Causing Tommy to go over to the bar, where Rocky's is, and challenge him to a street fight, where Rocky, of course, wins.

Sure, this film had some good qualities about it, and it was nice to see Rocky walking the street of Philly again, alongside his son. But it's just not a worthy Rocky film.

"It don't hurt having an angel in your corner, you know."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 1 September 2012]

Personally, extending the Rocky franchise beyond the first three movies was probably asking for trouble, but that could just be me. "Rocky IV" struck me as a quick way to make a buck with a series of cobbled together scenes from the first three films with a resounding sound track pumping up the volume. This one has a bit more of a plot to it, with the strained relationship between Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) and his son (real life son Sage Stallone) at the center of the story. It works up to a point, but by the time it develops into an alley fight between The Rock and his protégé Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison), all semblance of believability just melts away in a flash of fists and fury.

For starters, you have to consider the length of time it would have taken Tommy to begin training with Rocky, develop into a preliminary fighter, and then compile a record of 22 and 0 to earn a championship match. Even if he fought every two months, it still would have taken a couple of years to get to the Union Cane fight. The way this story blazes by, it seems like it all takes place in a matter of days and Tommy suddenly finds himself at the top of the boxing world. And THEN, all of a sudden, Union Cane is outed as a fraud? That just made my head spin. No one becomes the World Champ by beating pushovers, what alternate universe would this have taken place in?

You know, the Rocky films played a nasty trick on me when they had his manager Mickey (Burgess Meredith) die in "Rocky II". For the longest time I couldn't figure out if Meredith was dead or alive when he showed up in the sequels. I know, it's easy enough to look up, but it's one of those things that keep you guessing. To save you the trouble, Meredith was alive when he made his daydream appearances in this film. For my money, the best sequence in the picture was the one where Rocky had the imaginary conversation with his former manager. That was very well done.

As I write this review, I'm stunned by the news that Sage Stallone passed away just a month ago. I never heard about it at the time, and as I read the links from the IMDb website, I'm reminded that life isn't like the movies where happy endings have a tendency to prevail. My condolences go out to Stallone and his family, and I hope the Rocky spirit gets him through this ordeal.

Definitely the worst Rocky film

[T-ZER0 · 2/10 · 14 March 2019]

I liked Rocky, really enjoyed Rocky II, loved Rocky III, and thought IV was pretty good. But this one? God, no wonder Sylvester Stallone dislikes this film.

Rocky gets back from his fight with Ivan Drago, and the first problem is that his son aged six years in three hours. (Hormones?) Then we are introduced to the most annoying character ever, George Washington Duke. A character you just want to reach through the TV and punch in the face.

The movie tries to mix emotion with a great story, but ultimately fails. Rocky ignores his son for Tommy, his new trainee, who ultimately backstabs him and joins Duke. His son becomes a street thug and starts acting like a weirdo. Oh, and I almost forgot Paulie. I know he was always annoying, but this one he was unbearable. He was the reason Rocky was broke!! After, all that I'm surprised Rocky didn't just let him get hurt by Tommy. (Then again, Rocky is a good-hearted character).

The emotion with Adrian isn't any better, it's brief and doesn't feel like they are connected on this film. The movie ends with a terribly choreographed street fight between Tommy and a Rocky. Which I wished would've lasted one minute. But it only lasted longer because Tommy kept tackling Rocky through walls and the street. At that point I wanted to turn off my TV.

So what's the good? I can only think of one good thing. Elton John's song "The Measure Of a Man". I love it and it's amazing. But as for films. The cast of this movie deserves better.

My Rocky Review

[davidwilliamrose38 · 10/10 · 25 November 2015]

I had a really hard time last night where my life fell apart just like Rocky's, I watched this movie again for probably the 15th time but i hadn't seen it in about 8 years...today is a new day and watching this movie made the tears well up in my eyes...The story of a guy on top losing everything only to get back what's most important...his self worth and dignity and of course his honor...Great movie!! Great acting, remember folks this a Rocky movie, a boxing movie, an American Classic!! Thanks Sylvester Stallone your a true hero!! I could watch all his movies over and over, anytime. The cast members are all great actors and will always be remembered in the hearts of millions of fans around the world. I can't wait to see Creed as it looks to really rekindle the fire from previous installments of the series. I highly recommend these movies to anyone looking to be entertained.

Refreshing change

[Bored_Dragon · 7/10 · 22 January 2017]

He finally gave up on four times repeated pattern and made a completely different story. This is not the story of a boxer who has to fight a bigger and bigger opponent in every sequel anymore, this is an emotional drama of a man who started from nothing, reached the stars and hit the bottom once again. A movie about being able to distinguish true values in life from current goals that blur the mind. The movie is not excellent in any aspect, but the story is the most interesting so far. Rocky's son is portrayed by Stallone's son, which gives this father-son relationship more credibility. Music is not bad, but it cannot be compared with prequels, except for fantastic "The Measure of a Man" by Alan Menken, performed by Elton John. Definitely worth watching.

7,5/10

Descends into farce. A sad entry in the franchise.

[tonypeacock-1 · 4/10 · 25 April 2020]

I've heard things about this film before viewing but I decided to view it with a clear mind and no misconceptions.

Director duties pass back to original Rocky director John G. Avildsen. Indeed the screenplay at the start of the film has potential.

Watching the franchise in sequence I noticed some continuity issues in the first twenty minutes. Rocky's mansion is noticeably different from his residence in parts III and IV.

The story follows an aging Rocky, brain damaged from his bruising bout with Ivan Drago on part IV. The Balboas also face financial ruin due to their estate being signed over by brother in law Paulie (how) to an accountant who makes a poor decision on the stock market.

Rocky must return to his roots in Philadelphia from part I where he relaunched his only asset. Mickey Goldmill's boxing gym.

He discovers a promising young boxer, Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison - a distant relative of John Wayne) whilst inadvertently neglecting his own troubled son, Rocky Jr. (Sage Stallone).

Meanwhile a Don King like promoter George Duke (Richard Gant) 'steals' the non-contracted Gunn from Rocky's management promising a title shot.

Gunn isn't as commercially popular as Rocky and Duke encourages Gunn to try and fight Rocky. Rocky is reluctant because of his health problems much to Gunn's anger leading to the infamous street fight.

The film descends into a Cannon Films like 1980s farce with a street fight, yes a street fight between Rocky and Tommy Gunn.

The soundtrack was one of the highlights of part IV. What happened here. Not memorable at all except a montage from previous Rocky films over the end credits.

I can quite honestly say this is by far the weakest in the franchise, comparable to Superman IV and Jaws IV.