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Summary: Drago!
Review: This Rocky sequel isnt quite up to the standards of the previous films,but watching Dolph Lundgren as the russian boxer Drago is impressive.Dolph`s physique in this 1985 film is marvelous,6'6" 260 lbs and rock solid.It would take a bulldozer to knock this guy over! As a Bob Denver look-alike myself,I greatly admire Lundgren`s wide-jawed example of genetic perfection in this film.
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Summary: "HOW FAR DOSE A BURNING HEART GO?"............
Review: "ROCKY IV" is by far the most "Electrofying" and successful movie I have ever incounterd,that defies all the odds.Rocky Balboa is back to face his most lethal opponent to date,the hulking Ivan Drago,a computer trained Solviet fighting machine.After the merciless destruction of Apollo Creed at the hands of Drago,Rocky decides to put on his Gloves one last time,and go to Russia to take on Drago. Rocky's determination and obsession to avenge his freind takes him to the frozen wastelands of Siberia.Rocky trains in Russia,up against Drago's "New Age" training methods ,as Rocky makes his way up the mountain to shout out; "DRAGO! "............ "It's What True Champion's Are Made Of! "
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Summary: The Cold War Rocky
Review: Having lived through the period of time when, as a child, I worried about nuclear war, I really enjoyed this Rocky installment. Russia and America were at a stalemate for so many years, this movie did an excellent job of showing that people are just people, no matter what form of government they live under. Don't get me wrong, the movie was a bit corny, but the mere fact that Stallone pulled this off is amazing. He made Rocky movie that aimed as high as demonstrating the tension of the Cold War and the simplicity of what it might take to end that war. Stallone and Reagan may have made my fear of nuclear weapons go away. Thanks, gentlemen!
After Apollo Creed is killed in the ring by a massive new Russian boxer (Dolph Lundgren), Rocky steps up to the plate (ring) and serves the Russian a case of the Philadelphia two-step (you hit me two times, I hit you one). The Russian gets so wore out from beating on Rocky that he just about collapses. That's when Rocky releases a few nuclear bombs of his own! Great action and training sequences in this one; a really cool sports car and music video too. Buy this movie, it is worth every penny! See ya next review. www.therunninggirl.com
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Summary: Even Apollo Can't Save This Lame Excuse For a Movie
Review: The only reason this film gets two stars instead of one is Apollo Creed. Apollo dancing to "Living in America" to warm up the crowd before a fight makes this movie worth seeing. Otherwise, this sequel is a bomb. Rocky's training sequence is pretty cool, but it does not change the fact that Dolph Lundren, a man who makes insurance seminars seem exciting by comparison, plays the opponent. The series reaches an all-time low when an arena filled with Russians begins fervently cheering for Rocky to overcome one of their own countrymen. Puh-lease!
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Summary: The Weak Spot in the Rocky Series
Review: While I found Rocky III an entertaining movie, I felt this was the film that began the decline of the Rocky series. For one thing, it lost its Philadelphia focus. There were no scenes filmed in Philadelphia. Rocky was no longer a down and out, Philadelphia guy - but now a polished champion who had his face fixed up. However, I think the biggest problem with Rocky III is that Rocky was beginning to get transformed into a quasi-Superhero. He was going up against the likes of Thunderlips and Clubber Lang. In both of these opponents, Stallone would over-choreograph the fight sequences and created some non-realistic fight scenes. When Rocky IV was released, I was really hoping that Stallone would find a way to "go back to basics" with the Rocky series. Instead, Stallone deviates even further from the basics and creates what I feel is the weakest of all of the Rocky movies.
The story goes like this. At the end of Rocky III, Apollo Creed told Rocky he owed him a favor. That favor would turn out to be that Rocky would help Apollo launch a comeback. It turns out there is a up and coming Russian fighter named Ivan Drago who is a complete physical specimen. Apollo feels he can beat the Russian and agrees to fight him in an exhibition match. The exhibition match turns out to be deadly - Apollo is beaten badly by Drago and dies. Rocky is now depressed and feels he now must avenge Apollo's death in the ring. Adrian is completely against the match, but Rocky forges ahead and agrees to fight Drago in Moscow. Rocky will take Paulie and Apollo's trainer Tony to Siberia to train in the harshest and primitive conditions. This contrasts to the high tech environment that Drago is fighting in. This leads to the movie's finale which is a bloody confrontation in the ring between Rocky and Drago pitting East vs. West.
There are a lot of problems with this movie. For starters, in the mid 1980s, Sylvester Stallone seemed to have this obsession with going up against the Russians. He had used this theme in his "Rambo" movies and now was trying to create the same theme in the Rocky movies - this just didn't belong in the series. I also didn't like the fact how (most of the movie), the Russians were portrayed as the bad guys. Another problem is that the storyline almost reads like a storyline in a Wrestling Pay-Per View event: Just substitute Apollo, Rocky, and Drago as Wrestlers - Drago does something bad to Apollo, Rocky now must extract revenge in the squared circle against Drago.
Another thing that I don't like is that Apollo had to die in this movie. By having Apollo die, another core character to the Rocky series was now gone. In Rocky III, I felt it was a bad decision to kill off one of the more popular characters - Mickey. Mickey provided some of the great moments in the first two Rocky movies. While I don't think Apollo was nearly as popular as Mickey, Apollo's character was re-invented in Rocky III. Apollo went from the villain in Rocky I/II to good guy in Rocky III. This allowed Apollo's character to be redefined and go in new directions. Was it really necessary to have Apollo die?
The first three Rocky movies did a great job at developing the characters - especially of Rocky, Adrian, Paulie, and Apollo. For this movie, there is virtually no character development whatsoever. Adrian, who had grown from shy girl to strong woman in the first three movies basically doesn't change much in terms of her strength in this movie. Paulie actually began to regress in Rocky III. After Paulie got arrested in Rocky III, he was basically relegated to the role of cantankerous curmudgeron. In Rocky IV, he basiclaly maintains this role. I did find the scenes between Paulie and the Robot and Paulie in Siberia amusing, but there isn't much to growing Paulie's character. One thing Paulie does continue to do is maintain a great sense of humor.
There are some new characters introduced - namely Drago, his wife Ludmilla (played by Stallone's real-life wife at the time, Brigitte Nielson), and their "promoter" Nicoli Koloff. There is little in providing good insight into these characters. Ludmilla acts merely as a "spokesperson" for Drago throughout the movie. We don't see much interaction between Drago or Ludmilla and don't get a chance to see how the fight with Rocky is affecting the two as a couple. I also felt that Nicoli's character could have been so much more. Michael Pataki, who played Nicoli is an actor who has been around for a while. Pataki might best remembered for his role as "Count Mallachi" in the Demolition Derby on the Pinky Tuscadero episodes on "Happy Days". Pataki had done a great job in those episodes as well as in many other acting roles. However, in "Rocky IV" it just seems like they never tapped Pataki's potential
Another overall problem is the use of the music. In Rocky III, Stallone had moved away from the passionate music of Bill Conti toward more of pop music (namely Survivor). In Rocky IV, while there is no Bill Conti and he does continue the pop music trend, he does introduce us to a talented musician named Vince DiCola - who provides some passionate music. The problem is that the music isn't used to compliment the movie. Instead many of the scenes of the movie read more like a glorified music video instead of a story. The music is good, but it could have complimented the story better.
While this movie does entertain, I think this is the weakest entry in the Rocky Series. Even the highly criticized Rocky V built up the characters and used the music much more effectively. Still if you are a Rocky fan, you probably won't overlook this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Unnecessary sequel. 2 dumbs down
Review: 'Rocky IV' is yet another stupid and predictable Rocky movie. Watch it only for unintentional laughs.
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Summary: The Ultimate Rocky Film With Compelling Life Messages
Review: I disagree with most of the crtical reviews of this movie 150%! Not only was this movie my favorite Rocky film (YES, even more than the original Rocky), it is one of my all time favorite movies which I have seen dozens of times and NEVER grow old of it. So much so it became the inspiration of the main graphic on my business web site.
Why? For many reasons.
To me the Rocky theme never grows old. It is the classic "Hero's Journey." The underdog in life that is challenged to pull deep within, fight the inner "demons," connect with one's true strength and inner potential and triumph in the end.
What makes Rocky IV different and more potent in my mind is the contrast in themes. In this movie, Rocky is at the top of his game (in fact retire with all the trappings of success) and is forced to look deep within again but for a much deeper and more soul provoking reason. His best friend and original boxing contender -- Apollo Creed -- has lost his life in the boxing ring to the testerone-driven, freakish, goliath-like Russian boxing challenger. This castrophe forces Rocky to do some deep soul-searching about how "he sold his passion for glory." (from "The Eye of the Tiger" song).
How many people in the business world and life in general, sacrifice their passion for glory?! Probably 95+%. Being a business coach, I constantly look for movies, books, stories that coach people in their businesses. To me this movie has that compelling message. "We must fight to keep our passions alive."
The other aspect that I like about this movie is the strong contrast between nature and technology. Rocky flies off to the desolated mountains of Siberia using nature as his training ground, connecting with his true inner strength. The Russian on the other hand uses all the latest high tech gear and non-stop steroids to build his massive robotic body that looks more like a machine. Another valuable lesson.
While technology has tremendous value to our society, how often do we allow technology to rule our lives, stripping us of our of our connection with ourselves and other people, making us feel more like machines?
If you look at this movie as just a boxing movie, you miss the deeper lessons it can have for your life. Go watch this movie with new eyes and see its brilliant message unfold in front of your eyes.
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Summary: Rocky IV Rocks!!!!
Review: THis is one of my favorite films ever I have been watching it ever since I was a kid. I liked this movie more than all the other sequels made to the Rocky films. Please do buy this DVD and do yourself a favor.
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Summary: Rocky (USA) vs. Ivan Drago (USSR)
Review: In this third sequel to the 1976 original "Rocky", Sylvester Stallone continues the story of America's greatest boxer. After beating Apollo Creed in "Rocky II", then Clubber Lang in "Rocky III", Rocky is going to have the greatest fight of his life. This time he is representing the United States as he goes against the USSR's top boxer, Ivan Drago, a 6'4" boxer who has a punch of 2000 PSI.
The story starts out of course with the end to the last fight against Clubber Lang where Rocky regains the title that is rightfully his. Now Rocky lives in a huge mansion with Adrian and his son, Rocky Jr. He has cars, money, and lives a luxury. Then one day, new arrival from Russia, Ivan Drago comes to American to enter professional boxing. Drago wants a exhibition match with Rocky. But Apollo Creed wants a piece of the man first. So the first fight is Creed vs. Drago. The results of this fight are not good.
So Rocky decides to go after Drago and fight him in Russia. Adrian is convinced herself that Rocky can't win against this man. Rocky and Paulie go to Russia alone out in the middle of nowhere to train with Apollo's old trainer, Tony. The training scenes in this movie are great as the scenes flip back and forth showing each fighter's training techniques. Drago is training in a high-tech facility while Rocky is training in the deep snows of Russia by chopping wood in one swing, pulling sleds on his hands and kness, and running up mountains in the snow.
Rocky now is ready for the fight of his life. He is not only fighting for himself but for the pride of his country. Will the United States win again? Buy this DVD and see what a fighter Rocky really is.
This sequel has it all. Great fighting scenes, great plot, great character development and is overall a great sequel to the Rocky collection.
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Summary: Rocky IV (1985)
Review: This installment in the Rocky series is fairly decent at its best. The movie is a bit rushed and the character development isn't as solid as the first three movies. The soundtrack however is still pretty solid, and matches the movies theme very well. The fight scenes in this movie are choreographed a lot better than any other Rocky film, but I wish the story could've been more fleshed out. Overall, I would still recommend this film if you're a huge Rocky fan but don't expect too much out of it.
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