To celebrate the release of
Creed this fall, I rewatched all of the
Rocky movies on Blu-Ray. here's my take on each one, with my favorites being the original
Rocky, Rocky III, and
Rocky Balboa (followed by
Rocky II, V, Creed, and
IV).
Rocky (1976)
On this re-watch, what stuck out to me the most was how lonely Rocky is, and how he really doesn't have any family. Even on Thanksgiving Day, he has no where to go except by Paulie and Adrian's. He keeps a photograph of his parents in his apartment, but we don't learn much about them or the details of his growing up. It made me want to see a movie about a young Rocky growing up; maybe someone will make that movie one day. Another thing that I hadn't noticed before is a photo of Paulie in his younger days when he was in the Navy.
Rocky II (1979)
Picks up immediately after the last movie, and we get a rematch between Apollo Creed and Rocky. In the meantime Rocky gets a job hauling meat and raising a newborn son after marrying Adrian. His proposal in the zoo by the tiger cage is classic:
"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind marrying me too much?" One of my favorite parts of the movie is when Mickey has Rocky chase a chicken, which Rocky does with Donnie Creed in
Creed (2015).
Rocky III (1982)
Great montage in the beginning showing how Rocky becomes champion of the world, set to the "Eye of the Tiger" song. Then Rocky prepares to fight Clubber Lang (Mr. T) and is trained by Apollo when Mickey dies. Fun movie and it's great to see Apollo and Rocky become friends. There's a private fight at the end of the movie between them, and we as the audience never learn who won until 2015's
Creed, when Rocky reveals that Apollo won. I also love the painting at the end of the movie, which ends up in Rocky's restaurant in
Rocky Balboa and
Creed. We assume that it was painted by Paulie. I also had forgotten that this was the movie where the "Rocky" statue was unveiled. Wow - that's been up for over 30 years!
Rocky IV (1985)
My least favorite of all the films, but it is still fun to watch especially the final fight between Rocky and the Russian boxer played by Dolph Lundgren. I didn't like the actor that played Rocky's son; he just isn't convincing to me that he's the son of Rocky and Adrian.
Rocky V (1990)
I like this movie, and it really does feel like an early 90s film thanks to the soundtrack. Rocky has to deal with some health issues and is faced with retirement. But a young boxer comes to visit him seeking a mentor, and Rocky slips into the "trainer" role for the first time. I also liked the subplot involving Rocky and his "rocky" relationship with his son (played very good by Sage Stallone, rest in peace). Another subplot involves Rocky losing all of his wealth and having to sell off everything in an auction. It seems almost unbelievable that these types of things can happen to a superstar, but sadly it does happen---for example, Burt Reynolds recently had to do the same thing due to his many debts. I liked the streetfight at the end too, even though we don't get Rocky in the ring. Another thing I liked is the flashback scene with Rocky and Micky, which is really sentimental but gives us a little bit more of a glimpse into their relationship.
Rocky Balboa (2006)
This movie is the most sentimental of all the
Rocky movies, but that's exactly why I love it. The final fight scene is cool, but what I love the most about the movie is all the other stuff happening leading to that fight. For starters, we learn that Adrian died, and that Rocky started a restaurant business and named the restaurant after her. The restaurant looks like an awesome place to visit, by the way. Rocky even allows his old rivals to come and work there part time. I like how a minor character from the first movie - "Little Marie" - steps back into Rocky's life and we get to see what became of her. Finally, it's interesting to see how Rocky's son doesn't follow in his father's footsteps. Instead, he works for a corporate firm in downtown Philly, which is exactly what Rocky wanted to do in
Rocky II. After the events of
Rocky V, it's not surprising that the son doesn't become a boxer.
Creed (2015)
Not a bad film; and it's packed with an emotional punch. I enjoyed it and would watch it again, even if its story seems very similar to the original 1976
Rocky and a little bit of 1990's
Rocky V as Rocky becomes the trainer and doesn't box. Michael B. Jordan gives a good performance as "Donnie" Creed - who seeks mentorship from Rocky and calls him "uncle". Early on in the movie we see Donnie working in an office - and getting a promotion even - but decides to become a fighter full time. I liked the relationship that blossoms with the girl he meets in his apartment, and how he helps Rocky deal the health issues he's facing. My favorite scene in the movie happens right before the final fight sequence--when Rocky and his training team walk out to the ring from the locker room with Donnie. It's a long walk that takes maybe a minute or two but the camera shows them as if we are following right behind them the entire way. That's a cool shot; the cinematography in general is very good. It's also nice to see Rocky at work in his restaurant again. One of the saddest moments in the entire film is when Rocky explains to Donnie that his son had no interest in boxing, moved out of town, and started a new life in Vancouver. It made me think that Rocky is so alone in the world, without much of any family nearby. And here comes Donnie, who becomes a long lost "son" who is almost like the boxer"son" that Rocky always wanted. And sure enough, I left the theater wanting to see more of this saga. And surely more Rocky! Maybe another movie? If that happens, I would definitely go see it. It would be really cool if we get to see Rocky's son again, and maybe be introduced to Rocky's grandson (or daughter).
