Directed by… Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone ... Rocky Balboa
Talia Shire ... Adrian
Burt Young ... Paulie
Carl Weathers ... Apollo Creed
Brigitte Nielsen ... Ludmilla Vobet Drago
Tony Burton ... Duke
Michael Pataki ... Nicoli Koloff
Dolph Lundgren... Captain Ivan Drago
In the fourth volume of the Rocky saga, Rocky Balboa world heavyweight boxing champion travels to Russia to compete against an amateur Soviet Union fighter Captain Ivan Drago. After coming out of retirement Apollo Creed (Rocky’s mentor in the third film) decides too butt fists with Captain Ivan Drago. After a pummeling fight Apollo falls too his death from too many and too strong of blows from the giant competitor.
After the funeral of Apollo Creed Rocky decides to fight and take revenge on his death against Drago. An exhibition fight between Rocky and Drago is then set in the Drago’s homeland and on Christmas day.
Folowing vigorous training and determination Balboa is ready to compete with Drago. During a strong bout with each fighter it seems none will come out as the victor. But within a strong knockout round Balboa represents the U.S. as the champions.
Generally in the film there are a lot of doppelganger similarities. Such as the fighters themselves, two representatives of the two strongest forces in the world. Or how in the beginning Drago is in a arena filled with American patriots too the end where Rocky is set in a different arena but the same position as Drago was. Even the training for both fighters is in the same vain but Rocky is natural as Drago’s is machine operated. All these similarities represent very well what war between America and Russia was about, who was the stronger power?
With the exception of the first film this is my favorite of the Rocky saga. I think this film actually goes down as an important film in American Cinema and helps capture the time it was made. And especially the fact it is a number four film; that magical number where so many film sagas have perished.
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I enjoyed this film also and I agree that the first one was the best. Your review was good. The analysis of the links between the film and the cold war are great. I suggest to add more backup for your approval of the film, such as how good the acting, writing, scenes, etc. was.
ReplyDeleteI agree that besides the first film, this one was the best. I liked the fact that you talked about the training styles and related that to the cold war. I would keep an eye out for little typos with "too" and "to". I also agree with David and think that this could be expanded into thoughts on the production.
ReplyDeleteMan this film rocks! this one to me was the best, but it ties a little with the first one. My thoughts are more of the same with James and David. Watch out for the typos and expand more on your ideas. So far so good!
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