Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
The entire 'Rocky' franchise... in a single episode... your first one back? What the hell
was I thinking? ... let's get to work!
I'm ready. And this is Movie Night!
Hello, and welcome back to "Movie Night" - I'm your host, Jonathan Paula. After a very stressful
and prolonged home-buying process, I'm finally settled into my new condo, and ready to get
back to reviewing some movies. So tonight, I'm taking a look at the entire "Rocky" franchise.
So let's begin with the original, "Rocky".
The best picture winner of 1976 was released on December 3rd, and directed by John G. Avildsen
on a small budget of one million dollars. The PG-rated feature was extremely profitable,
eventually grossing $225 million - making it the #1 film of the year. Written by its
lead actor, Sylvester Stallone - the two-hour story follows Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer
who gets a rare shot to challenge the heavy-weight champion, and finally make something of himself.
The tag-line on the poster, "His whole life was a million-to-one shot" is such a perfect
encapsulation of what makes this sports-drama so engaging. Rocky is the ultimate underdog;
a wonderfully kind and determined fighter you'll love to root for. The American Film
Institute even named the titular character as one of the top-10 heroes in film history.
Sly's nuanced delivery is a heartbreaking one; Rocky is a self-described 'bum'; completely
poor, without any prospects - but he's always trying to improve his life. He angrily lashes
out at his trainer for never believing in him, " What about my prime, Mick? At least
you had a prime! I had no prime, I had nothin'!" Exhibiting shades of a young Marlon Brando,
this is easily the strongest performance in Stallone's career - and concrete proof he's
a capable and accomplished actor. Equally captivating is Talia Shire as Adrian, a nervous
pet shop worker and love interest. She's clearly intrigued by this handsome brute that keeps
making advances towards her, but too shy to let him into her life. Their awkward courtship
is as adorable as it is heartwarming... a realistic relationship you can't help but
smile at. Especially when Sly gives a shout-out to his girlfriend during a TV press conference
by yelling, "Yo, Adrian!" Burt Young is fascinating to watch as a frustrated loud-mouth, who is
conflicted between being a friend to Stallone, and a brother to Shire. Meanwhile, the raspy
Burgess Meredith does marvelous work with his limited screen time as Rocky's boxing
coach, who'd rather relish in past glories than acknowledge his mistakes. This core group
of four, who would reprise their roles in plenty of sequels were all rightfully nominated
for an Academy Award. In fact, with this honor, Sylvester joined the illustrious company of
Charlie Chaplin and Orson Welles as one of only three people to be nominated for acting
and writing in the same year. In a role that would be heavily expanded in future films
beyond its one-note portrayal here, Carl Weathers is great as the arrogant heavyweight champion,
too aloof in his world of fame and excess to notice Rocky as a real threat. The film
does occasionally feature boxing scenes - but ultimately, this is a cute love story and
character study instead of some title bout. Technically, the film is paced well, and edited
with careful precision, letting the heavier emotional moments play out uninterrupted,
while the fights are presented fast and furiously. Some non-traditional framing is utilized to
keep the dialogue interesting, and Steadicam technology was utilized for only the third
time on film for some of the movie's more kinetic scenes. Composer Bill Conti weaves
slower piano melodies and fast strings with big horns and even an electric guitar to deliver
an inspiring and moving soundtrack. Perhaps the most iconic sequence in the film is a
training montage set to Conti's chart-topping, and Oscar-nominated theme "Gonna Fly Now"-
which expertly ramps the mood up for the film's final fight. This montage famously ends with
Rocky charging up the steps of Philadelphia Museum Of Art - a moment so indelible, it's
become a must-see destination when visiting the city of Brotherly Love. Hundreds of people
still raise their arms in victory there every day, and I made sure to do the same when I
ran the "Rocky Steps" during my visit in 2011. The heavyweight battle is a bit anti-climatic,
and some of the lower-budget audio work needs to be cleaned up, but by-and-large, this is
a wonderful experience from start to finish. Spawning six sequels and counting, this rags-to-riches
tale has endured for decades thanks to its hopeful message and lovable characters. Later
chapters vastly improved on the fight choreography and took the story to more interesting places,
but there's a certain intangible magic about this inaugural effort that makes it such a
memorable picture. "Rocky" is a triumphant accomplishment of love and courage. I think
it's AMAZING. Next, my review of "Rocky II".
Following the massive success of the original, this $7-million dollar sports-drama was soon
commissioned, with writer and star Sylvester Stallone taking over the reigns as director.
Following its release in June of 1979, this sequel scored over $200 million at the box
office. Stallone once again penned an excellent script, which opens with a six-minute recap
of the last film's ending, picking up the story immediately thereafter. Rocky is struggling
with his post-fame life and sudden windfall of finances, while his boxing rival, Apollo
Creed struggles with the embarrassment of his split-decision victory. The 119-minute
film sees Stallone returning as the title character - a goofier and easier-going individual
eager to start his post-boxing life. There's a certain beautiful defiance about him now...
forgotten by the world, but determined to save his future. He still struggles for greatness
without reaching desperation. Girlfriend-turned wife Talia Shire is incredible in a role that
allows her to really blossom and gain confidence - quietly asking her husband for one favor
before his big match... "Win!". It's a sweet moment delivered with power and enthusiasm
that wonderfully kicks off the remainder of the exciting PG-rated film. Burt Young and
Burgess Meredith return as well with the former reduced to much smaller, inconsequential role
while the latter gets a few key scenes to really shine as the cranky old manager. Back
to back training montages set the stage for the final fight, with the second montage featuring
an awesome improved version of Rocky's famous run up the Art Museum steps... this time followed
by hoards of adoring children. The tracking shot of Sly hitting Tom Cruise-like speeds
and pulling away from this group of kids is a great moment that always gets me pumped
for what comes next. Speaking of which, Rocky and Creed's big rematch is a more interesting
and involved production than their first meeting. Not only are both characters more invested,
the technical aspects of the climax are better handled. Devoting twice as much screentime
to title-match allows for a more detailed account of who's in command during each round,
with more precise cinematography and close-ups to really sell the drama. It reportedly took
eights months to edit the scene to Stallone's satisfaction though. "Rocky II" may not be
a perfect film, but it may very well be the perfect sequel - it builds on the first installment
while introducing new consequences and challenges for our hero - without ever abandoning its
winning formula. The existing narrative threads are continued in an organic and believable
way, opening up to larger problems and situations. In short, it successfully increases the stakes
while staying faithful to the iconic characters. In a way, the accomplishments here are more
impressive as a result - as Stallone succeeds in getting you to root for a character that
isn't really an underdog anymore. Must-see viewing for all boxing fans, "Rocky II" is
a bigger, better version of its predecessor - and an AMAZING film. Now let's talk about
"Rocky III"
Released on May 28, 1982 - the third entry in the "Rocky" franchise was a huge success,
earning a $253 million dollar profit at the worldwide box-office. Sylvester Stallone returns
as writer, director, and of course, as the title character. After winning the champion
belt, the 99-minute sports-drama follows Rocky's - ahem, rocky time dealing with super stardom,
when a frustrated up-and-coming boxer challenges his title. The trajectory of Rocky's life
parallels Carl Weathers' portrayal of Apollo Creed in earlier installments; preoccupied
with fame and fortune, and resting on his laurels. Rocky has transformed into a more
sophisticated individual, with nicer clothes, and a better dialect. And although this departure
allows for a more compelling narrative, it just doesn't feel faithful to the character.
Reportedly however, these changes were inspired by Stallone's personal experiences with fame
- and how out of touch with 'normality' he became after his success as a movie star.
I suppose it works to an extent, but when marathoning the series back-to-back, this
shift is definitely jarring. The entire supporting cast once again return with excellent performances;
Burt Young, Talia Shire, and Burgess Meredith all get a few key scenes to really deliver
some powerful lines. But it's Weathers who sees a noticeable bump in responsibilities,
which affords him the opportunity to humanize his character beyond the one-note villain
he used to be. Making
his feature debut, Mr. T is perfect in his limited role as this angry fighter hungry
for a shot at the champion, trash talking his adversary by remarking, "I pity the fool."
Rocky meanwhile is motivated to fight back if only to prove to himself he still has what
it takes, when he screams, "Nothing is real if you don't believe in who you are!". Incorporating
real-world merchandise, and the unveiling of a large bronze statue that actually exists
at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in real life - "Rocky III" becomes almost self-referential
at times. Within the context of the narrative, a Rocky pinball machine certainly makes sense...
but knowing that this arcade machine actually exists as a product for the film itself took
me out of the moment a bit. An early fight between Stallone and Hulk Hogan is similarly
too goofy and over-the-top to really fit the otherwise serious tone of the film. Plus,
it fails to service the plot in any meaningful way. Also, there's a talking robot for some
reason. Bill Conti's familiar themes are once again heard in full-force during the training
montage, but it's the inclusion of Survivor's Oscar-nominated "Eye Of The Tiger" that really
kicks this picture off in a powerful way. Less about the heroic underdog, and more about
revenge and redemption, this is an interesting chapter in the franchise, but definitely not
the strongest. I think "Rocky III" is a pretty COOL film. Not even halfway done, here's my
review for Rocky IV.
Released just before Thanksgiving in 1985, this $28-million dollar production took home
over $300 million - making it the highest-grossing entry in the saga. Writer, director, and actor
Sylvester Stallone continues the title character's story by taking it to the next logical step;
international champion. When Rocky's former rival and friend falls to an intimidating
Soviet boxer, he travels to the heart of Russia for an improbable revenge fight. All of the
actors playing surviving characters return with more of the same - capable, and layered
performances that likely became easier for the group as time went on. After auditioning
over 8,000 people, Dolph Lundgren won the role as the quiet but frightening Soviet fighter.
The 6' 5" Swedish actor does well in his breakout role - looking powerful and aggressive with
just a silent stare. He threatens Rocky before their big match by quietly promising, "I must
break you." After the first couple films, Stallone actually admitted to running out
of ideas - which is why the series began to focus more and more on training and boxing
than on the characters' relationships and struggles. "Rocky IV" lacks any emotional
weight as a result - in fact, the 91-minute film has barely any story at all - it's just
one long string of montages. Now, don't get be wrong - they're probably the greatest montages
in the history of cinema, even better than those in the earlier "Rocky" films. They're
set to the awesomely 80s sounds of "Survivor", "Vanderberg", and "Robert Tepper", with excellent
results. A flashback montage, inter-cut with the focused stares of a determined Stallone
driving his car late at night is a particularly well-edited sequence that reminds audiences
of all the best moments that came before. Replacing series regular Bill Conti, Vince
DiCola's original score makes great use of intense rhythm and synthesizers that serve
as excellent motivational background music. At only an hour-and-a-half, it's the shortest
film in the franchise, and, seriously, the aforementioned montages take up almost a full
third of the non-credits runtime. This film is pure, unadulterated, spoon-fed propaganda.
This picture's pro-American message is about as subtle as a punch to the face. Although
Stallone gets credit for painting the Russians as somewhat sympathetic and redeemable characters
- there's no surprise this 'East vs. West' story was the most successful sports movie
for the next quarter-century. At the height of the Cold War, American audiences just wanted
to see the Philly underdog kick some Rushki butt. And on that primal level - the PG-rated
film delivers spectacularly. Certainly a product of its time, "Rocky IV" still has the same
loveable characters, grit, and charm of its predecessors - it's just missing a compelling,
or even believable story. Watch this one for the excellent soundtrack and flag-waving patriotism.
I thought it was very GOOD. Before we continue, I wanted to see what you thought of this seven-picture
series, so for tonight's poll question: How would you rank each of the "Rocky" films?
Leave your list as a comment below. Three more still to go, continue with "Rocky V".
Widely regarded as the 'black sheep' of the franchise, this $42 million dollar sports-drama
still managed to earn $120 million after its November 1990 release. Sylvester Stallone
returns with another new script, and of course as the title character - but he handed back
the directing responsibilities to John G. Avildsen, who helmed the original picture
14-years earlier. Reluctantly retired from boxing due to medical dangers, Rocky takes
on a new protégé while his family struggles with bankruptcy. After all - with four movies
of underdog victories and success, how do you convince audiences that the people's champion
is still worth rooting for? Easy - you tear him down, and make him start over from scratch.
Despite some glaring continuity issues - like Rocky coming home to an entirely different
mansion and a son who is five years older - this 104-minute film actually starts off
particularly strong. The reverse parallel of Rocky's ascent in the earlier pictures
is poignant and well handled, like when Stallone and Talia Shire reminisce over their old clothes,
some of their only possessions following an estate auction. A
newly-filmed flashback sequence with Burgess Meredith is also a very strong addition, that
nicely fills in some backstory to his character's motivations for originally training the Italian
Stallion. He confesses in this emotional monologue, "I think that people die sometimes when they
don't wanna live no more." Rocky however seems to have regressed in intelligence - speaking
with an even more pronounced slur and dumber vocabulary. Sly's real-life son Sage Stallone
joins the cast as Rocky Jr. - and this father-son relationship allows for some effective domestic
drama fitting with the "Rocky" mythos - as Sage learns to stands up for himself even
when others don't believe in him. Despite some extremely questionably 90s-era earrings,
the younger Stallone does an above-average job playing opposite his father. Speaking
of regrettable period-specific choices, the funky hip-hop and swingbeat soundtrack dates
this picture badly... as an urbanized version of "Gonna Fly Now" is not what this franchise
needed to stay relevant. A questionable wardrobe and bad music aren't nearly as problematic
as the more blatant issues with the script. There are two critical flaws with the narrative;
first, Rocky's new trainee is shown to be a hardworking, talented, and generally polite
individual - but all of the characters around him continually question his "heart". It might
be a superficial way to judge someone, but ultimately, the film never adequately illustrates
why this young fighter shouldn't be trusted. So when he eventually betrays his mentor,
the audience is left asking "why?", while Burt Young's character effectively says, "I
told you so." The second mistake is constantly setting up Rocky's potential brain damage
- only to completely ignore this consequence in the picture's climatic street brawl. This
is filmmaking 101: don't set something up if you don't intend to pay it off. Reportedly,
the original ending would have seen the title character getting killed - but Stallone eventually
decided against it... he just never adjusted the rest of the script to match. The only
"Rocky" film not to feature a training montage - there's definitely a loss of familiarity
with this picture. For sixteen years, it stood as the presumed ending to the series - which
explains its poor reception with audiences. When you know there's still another chapter
waiting though, this picture's disappointing finish stings a lot less. "Rocky V" undoubtedly
marks the low-point in the series, but there's still a lot of enjoyable and moving material
here for all "Rocky" fans. Those wanting entertaining boxing however, need not apply. I thought
it was an ALRIGHT film. Pressing onward, here are my thoughts on "Rocky Balboa".
The sixth installment in the "Rocky" franchise, once again written, directed by, and starring
Sylvester Stallone was released in December of 2006 - a full thirty years after the premiere
of part one. The $24-million dollar sequel exceeded box office expectations and took
home almost $200 million between tickets and DVD sales. Following the death of his wife,
the title character opts to defy the odds, and get back into the ring for one more fight.
At 60-years old, Sly still throwing punches could have easily been met with laughter and
incredulity. But once again, he taps into that well of personal truth and semi-biographical
struggles to pull out a believable, and touching script. Killing off Talia Shire's character
was an excellent decision that really humanizes Rocky as a mournful husband, allowing audiences
to root for his success all over again. But I was disappointed he dropped the roman numerals
from the title. Blatantly ignoring two separate medical consequences established in previous
films, the Italian Stallion is an angrier, more defiant protagonist than we've seen before
- especially when he passionately pleads for his case to fight in front of a boxing licensing
board. The
PG-rated story feels like a warm trip down memory lane, with Burt Young and Stallone
visiting all the old stomping grounds to remember moments and imagery from the earlier pictures.
Meanwhile, Geraldine Hughes portrays an old acquaintance who re-enters Balboa's life,
and begins an unlikely friendship. James Francis Kelly has a minor role as Hughes wayward son
- but his inclusion seems entirely superfluous, without any real conclusion or pay-off. Milo
Ventimiglia joins the cast as Rocky Jr. - proud of his celebrity father, but tired of living
in his large shadow. In a passionate speech to his son, Rocky forcefully declares, "It
ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward."
It's this incredible message, so excellently delivered by Stallone that perfectly encapsulates
the primary theme of the entire series. It's a consistent throughline at the heart of all
seven pictures: perseverance above all else. Returning to the director's chair after a
21-year absence, Stallone shows no sign of rust - filming this picture's dramatic moments
with long lenses and a cold color palette. Later, the main fight is uniquely recorded
with HD cameras - to better match the look and frame-rate of an HBO pay-per-view event.
The inventive and fast-paced editing here, which intercuts Gatorade-commercial-like visuals
with slow-motion and flashbacks is particularly effective. To cut productions costs, the film
shot on-location before a real boxing match. The crowd in attendance was an actual audience,
who upon seeing Sylvester in his robe began to chant, "Rocky! Rocky!", completely unprompted
by the film crew. This piece of movie trivia exemplifies the incredible legacy of this
iconic hero. Composer Bill Conti only wrote one new piece of music for the film, but after
doing such great work on four earlier pictures - who can blame him? Appearing as himself,
boxing commentator Larry Merchant remarks that "There's an old saying that every great
champion has one great fight left in him." - and this 102-minute movie is proof Stallone
had one great story left to share. Following the poor reception of "Rocky V", he felt obligated
to give this character more proper closure - and he definitely succeeded. An excellent
comeback story about determination and unfinished business, and necessary viewing for all fans
of the series - "Rocky Balboa" is a sentimental conclusion to the best underdog in sports
history. And finally, the latest entry in the franchise, "Creed".
Released on November 25, 2015 - the fortieth anniversary of the opening scene in the original
"Rocky" - this sports drama doubled its $35 million dollar budget within a couple weeks.
As prophesied by that classic Simpsons' joke from decades ago - this is seventh film in
the "Rocky" franchise, serving as both a spin-off to the original saga, and a sequel to Rocky's
continuing story. Following his breakout directorial success with 2013's "Fruitvale Station", the
young Ryan Coogler took on the daunting task of injecting this aging franchise with new
blood... and thankfully, he has completely succeeded. With the help of co-writer Aaron
Covington - the 133 minute script is a well-rounded, honest, and believable story. Although it's
the first chapter not written by Sylvester Stallone, it still plays homage to the older
entries while maintaining its own unique flairs. Michael B. Jordan stars as the title character,
a young boxer, who seeks out the help of retired Balboa, to follow in his late father's famous
footsteps. Any ill-will Jordan gained from starring in that awful "Fantastic Four" reboot
just a few months prior has been completely washed away here - thanks to a truly spirited
and raw performance as Apollo Creed's illegitimate son - desperate to build his own legacy, while
still honoring his boxing heritage. Portraying the Italian Stallion for the seventh time,
Stallone is, amazingly, better than ever... showing a tenderness and vulnerability we've
never seen from him. When challenged with difficult decisions, his emotional reflection
on life and his late wife are incredibly moving. Sly's pitch-perfect delivery here is layered
with resignation and fear - and might even score him another Oscar nomination. At 69-years
old, Stallone shifts into his new role as teacher effortlessly, dishing out lessons
like, "That bell doesn't mean you're dismissed. That bell means hell." To put his seniority
in perspective, he's the same age that Burgess Meredith was for the original picture. Tessa
Thompson meanwhile is featured as Creed's love interest... who does great work in their
powerful and romantic scenes together. Between the nostalgic callbacks and well-written dialogue,
there's also some truly excellent boxing on display in this PG-13 rated film. The most
outstanding example is an entire two-round match that's captured in a single, fluid steadicam
shot. Easily the best-looking and most realistic fights of the series, every punch land with
ferocity, while every cut and stitch feels earned and authentic. Coogler also impresses
during the slower moments... allowing each dramatic beat to breathe - like a nice close-up
of a young Creed's fist relaxing. Ludwig Göransson's up-beat and heavy orchestrated score mixes
well with contemporary hip-hop tracks, and even a few quick interpolations of Bill Conti's
iconic music. Paralleling the arc of Rocky's original journey, Jordan portrays a new hero
for a new generation - who is more than qualified to carry the torch. Even after forty years,
these themes of perseverance and fighting for what you want in life still resonate - perhaps
more than ever. And with this newest entry receiving such universal acclaim, I won't
be surprised if we see those red, white, and blue boxing shorts again. A wonderful continuation
of a classic franchise, that all fans will appreciate, "Creed" is a touching and inspiring
story about determination and respect. I thought it was an AWESOME film.
With the exception of the disappointing ending to the fifth picture, the "Rocky" franchise
is a remarkably consistent and entertaining series. An uplifting group of films that make
you feel empowered from just having watched them. Stallone cannot be praised enough for
the monumental character he created - one that will endure long past the final bell.
Now let's check out your TWEET CRITIQUES to see what you're saying about other films currently
playing in theaters.
If you see a new movie in theaters, Tweet your review with the #JPMN hashtag. Well,
that does it for tonight's episode - but here's what we'll be discussing next time if you'd
like to leave a comment review. And if you click this information-icon, some related
videos will slide out for to watch. Once again, my name is Jonathan Paula - it is good to
be back - thanks for watching and have a good Movie Night!