Rocky IV

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

Rocky four in metaphoric terms describes the cold war fought on both sides and the competiveness that both of the strongest forces in the world at the time encouraged. This is shown very well in a mirror aspect between the two fighters and in the end states the ridiculousness of the battle instead of the ladder choice too show America being the strongest of the two.

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. Maybe a metaphor for the struggle and contributed at the time. And perhaps Apollos cockiness shows the pride we have as Americans, but this pride turns to fear when he realizes that Drago could ultimately conquer, a fear shadowing that of the American citizens during the time of McCarthyism.

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 to represent just how determined Rocky (America) is too beat Drago he would push his family aside for revenge.

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. Rocky then gives a heart felt speech about his win to Russian and at home American audiences about how in the end fighting really means nothing and that war between the countries and fighters meant nothing in the end.

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.

Rocky Four disguises itself as just another sequel but has a strong powerful meaning in the end. Personally I think the movie is great it seems it would fail in so many aspects such as the fact it is A) a sequel, B) a fourth film (Lethal Weapon 4, Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the crystal Skull, Live free or die hard, just to name a few bad four numbered film) and C) it is an action film from the eighties. It’s made to seem like nothing but pure entertainment and a way to pull in money for a franchise.

But the story seems too powerful to be hidden like it should. It did well enough to pass over into two more films, where in most examples films never get past the fourth. To really break it down as a great film it still has some flaws here in there. The action sequences in sports films are the montages that Rocky one made so famous but we get a lot in this one. In fact we get three to count but that doesn’t leave too much time for a plot set up and film time to focus on the struggle being presented. But I am a fan for the montage and think all three collaborating with the soundtrack are great fun being had. Like really great music video to keep you awake and never leave you bored.

The worst thing that draws the audience away from the film and turns it from great to good is only shown on screen for a short while. The Robot that Rocky buys Paulie for his birthday no matter how hard it is to look past comes off as campy and unreal. But this could show the extent that Rocky drives from into royalty and away from his roots. A subject further discussed in the next film. Sometimes small things can ruin a film.

Ultimately the film sets out what it wants to do, its fun entertaining and with a meaning. I recommend the film for really anyone interested in sports or our fans of the Rocky saga. It is a great edition and very easy for a viewer to be lost in the attraction of the film.