MovieChat Forums > Rocky V (1990) Discussion > Why is ROCKY V More Hated Than ROCKY IV?

Why is ROCKY V More Hated Than ROCKY IV?

posted 12 years ago by TMC-4
33 replies | jump to latest

The fourth movie is incidentally, the most successful box office wise of the six movies. I mean lets put it this way:
*Out of the six movies Rocky IV feels the most dated because of the Cold War/Soviet Union angle.

*Rocky Balboa perhaps, came across more like a superhero type character having to conquer the big bad comic book like monster (a la Darkseid or Thanos) in Ivan Drago than a regular guy (you can argue that that same happened w/ John McClane in the fourth Die Hard movie). In a way, the Rocky series were already going down the one-dimensional, over-the-top "monster of the week" path w/ Clubber Lang in the third movie. Hell, Rocky IV its really just a glorified MTV music video/propaganda piece when you get right down to it.

*Rocky wouldn't have gotten brain damage in the first place had a rusty, past-his-prime Apollo Creed not been so jingoistic, cocky and stubborn (even Rocky told him that he didn't think that it was that good of an idea to be fighting Drago) to challenge Drago to a fight (thus get literally beaten to death and cause Rocky to challenge Drago himself as means of avenging Apollo's death).

[–] TheFallenProdigy 12 years ago

Totally agree, Rocky 5 was refreshing.

[–] ThresholdDweller 12 years ago

Also agreed. Rocky IV is painful to watch these days. Rocky V was far better, but Rocky Balboa just buried it. In comparison with RB, IV and V are difficult to watch.

[–] stanleyhetz 12 years ago

Also agreed. Rocky IV is painful to watch these days. Rocky V was far better, but Rocky Balboa just buried it. In comparison with RB, IV and V are difficult to watch.

Rocky IV is a classic. Rocky V (director's cut) is also refreshing. The released Rocky V... not so much!

[–] ThresholdDweller 12 years ago

I'd love to see the director's cut of Rocky V if it were actually released in a well edited, mastered format. What I've seen on YouTube is like watching an extreme rough rough cut... not exactly the best way to gauge its potential, IMHO.

[–] stanleyhetz 12 years ago

I'd love to see the director's cut of Rocky V if it were actually released in a well edited, mastered format. What I've seen on YouTube is like watching an extreme rough rough cut... not exactly the best way to gauge its potential, IMHO.

Of course, if they were to release the director's cut, they would use a better quality picture and sound than what is found online. That's just a glimpse of what the movie could be. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD2x7k8zBrs

[–] ThresholdDweller 12 years ago

Thanks for posting this YouTube link. I just watched it from start to finish. My opinion? Nothing could have made this movie better. I think they did the best they could with what they had. The "director's cut" is actually just a rough edit that's much weaker than what was actually presented as the final cut. I don't understand how anyone could watch this and think that a finalized version of the rough cut could have been better. IMHO, of course.

[–] stanleyhetz 12 years ago

Thanks for posting this YouTube link. I just watched it from start to finish. My opinion? Nothing could have made this movie better. I think they did the best they could with what they had. The "director's cut" is actually just a rough edit that's much weaker than what was actually presented as the final cut. I don't understand how anyone could watch this and think that a finalized version of the rough cut could have been better. IMHO, of course.

You're welcome... I think. The director's cut was much better than the released version. That's my opinion.

[–] ThresholdDweller 12 years ago

Haha... no offense intended, of course. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, especially when it comes to something as subjective as movies.

[–] stanleyhetz 12 years ago

Haha... no offense intended, of course. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, especially when it comes to something as subjective as movies.

[–] Verdugo85 11 years ago

Rocky IV is the best sequel.

[–] Verdugo85 9 years ago

HUH?? whoa whoa whoa now Rocky IV was adrenaline and its a classic.

[–] vocklabruck 12 years ago

Because Drago was a great villain and Rocky V lacks of that. Rocky IV could be dated now that the Soviet Union does not exist anymore but at the time, the fight between Rocky and Drago was kind of a symbol between two major world powers and I think THAT is what made Rocky IV so successful even being an MTV music video. Rocky V is nothing in comparison.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] shawneuser 11 years ago

There is nothing "jingoistic" about disliking/distrusting people who have nuclear missiles pointed at you.

Rocky IV is great entertainment with an awesome final fight. I don't feel it is dated at all. It brings me back to the 80's, which is right where I want to be.

Rocky IV also has a great soundtrack.

Rocky V was a very good idea that was written poorly.

[–] TMC-4 11 years ago

I think what also hurts Rocky V and why so many people (including Sly Stallone) look down on it as the worst/black sheep of the series is because Stallone rose the stakes too highly in the previous movie (it's sort of the Moonraker of the Rocky franchise). In Rocky IV, Rocky is literally fighting for his life as well as world peace given the Cold War backdrop (sort of like Miracle but w/ boxing instead of ice hockey and fictional).

[–] bond_98 10 years ago

You Got a Point. While i love Rocky 4. It's mostly a music video. How Rocky V can be considered bad. And Rocky IV can be totally overlooked for its flaws is kinda absurd. Yeah its Entertaining. But so is Plan 9 from Outer Space. But I wouldn't call that a masterpiece. Hell Rocky 3 wasn't all that great while were at it.

[–] jsn_hylnd 10 years ago

If I want more action and music, I'll watch Rocky 4 and if I want more realism and a better message I'll watch Rocky 5. They are both pretty good movies imo but they both have their flaws like Rocky 4 being too cheesy and Rocky 5 trying too hard to be like the first two films it's like they forget all about Apollo Creed I mean Rocky often talks about his first fight with Apollo but he talks about him like he was just some foe.

[–] Times_Up 10 years ago

Simply, Rocky 4 worked, inspite of it's lazy writing and editing. Rocky 5, did not, inspite of it's more rounded story. The Gunn, G.W. Duke and Cane characters were all poorly portrayed and nearly kill it. Sly's performance is borderline SNL parody at throughout most of the picture (though he gives a better, more sincere performance in the workprint, the other 3 still suck.) Talia Shire gave a better performance and was better written than the past 2 or even 3 films. Paulie finally had some genuine character moments including some positive ones with Robert (though he was still mostly comic relief). Speaking of Robert, he was probably the best performance in this movie and it was great that he finally had a story and not just perfunctory walk-ons like in previous movies.

Alvinsen gave the movie almost a stage play like quality to a lot of scenes (esp. early on after the accountant scandal, I love the shot when Rocky walks away and every one pauses and stops talking. Looks like a tableau vivant.) In the end it fails though, b/c the 2 antagonists and supporting antagonist were poorly performed and even written in some ways. The main character was also played poorly.

Rocky 4, while dumb, was/is a blast and a good, if simple action movie. Rocky 5's sights were set much higher, but it did not reach them. R4 reached what it attempted, mostly.

We have to reserve the right to bomb the n iggers. David Lloyd George on disarmament.

[–] 10 years ago

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