Rocky V
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Burgess Meredith, Burt Young, Sage Stallone, Sylvester Stallone, Talia ShireDVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 104 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-03-18
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Movie Reviews of Rocky V
Movie Review: Unfairly Criticized - This is one of the better Rocky Movies
Summary: 5 Stars
Somewhere in the Rocky series, the character of Rocky Balboa changed from a real character into some sort of a quasi-superhero. In Rocky IV, although the theme of Rocky being the underdog was still in-tact, it suddenly was Rocky against the Russian (Ivan Drago). Lost in the shuffle was a story with some depth. Lost was the outstanding character development - that was particularly strong in the first two Rocky movies. In fact, more or less - a good chunk of Rocky IV was more of a music video. When I heard that Rocky V was going to take Rocky back to Philadelphia a broke and down and out fighter, I was disappointed. After watching the movie, I realized that Sylvester Stallone corrected a good number of the problems I saw with Rocky IV and actually created a very good story that would be a perfect way to wrap-up the Rocky series.
Here is the story: After defeating Ivan Drago in Moscow, Rocky returns home to two problems: 1) He is Broke - he left Power of Attorney to a crooked lawyer, who never paid his taxes and made poor investments; 2) He has health problems: The years of all of the beatings have damaged his brain - therefore he cannot fight. Broke and no longer able to fight, the Balboas go bankrupt and basically move back to Inner City Philadelphia. Rocky still has the old Gym that was his old manager Mickey's and begins to train fighters. A crooked fight promoter (Don King-like promoter) named George Washington Duke is trying to lure him for a big fight and Adrian clearly doesn't want him to do this. Along the way, comes a young Midwestern fighter named Tommy Gunn (played by real-life boxer Tommy Morrison). Tommy becomes Rocky's protege and Rocky guides him to contention. While training Tommy, Rocky is ignoring his family - mostly his son (played by Stallone's son Sage Stallone). Eventually Duke gets to Tommy and convinces him to turn on Rocky. This leads to a dramatic and exciting street fight confrontation between the two.
While the first four movies focused on the theme of the underdog, Rocky V takes a different tact. The theme seems to be scams and deceptions. This is prevalent throughout the movie. This is seen when Rocky loses his money, Duke trying to lure Rocky into the ring, Rocky's son getting picked on at school, and Tommy turning on him.
There is some great character development and performances in the movie. I do feel that Adrian's character doesn't really grow that much in the movie, but I was impressed by Tommy and Rocky Jr (called Robert) in this movie. Both Tommy Morrison and Sage Stallone deliver great performances. Tommy grows as a character - from a shy, but cocky kid from Oklahoma to the "turn" as a bad guy who becomes the World Champion. We see how Rocky Jr. starts out as "the rich kid", but eventually is able to hold his own in a tough school. But perhaps the surprise of the movie is good ol' Paulie - Rocky's Brother in Law. In Rocky IV, Paulie still had his sense of humor, but had been relegated to the role of cantankerous curmudgeon. Throughout the Rocky movies, Rocky always looked out and helped out Paulie. In Rocky V, Paulie will still be a cantankerous curmudgeon whom Rocky looks out for - but there is a major change. Toward the end of the movie, Paulie stands up for Rocky. This happens when Tommy turns on Rocky. It's Paulie who turns around and reminds Tommy how much Rocky sacrificed for Tommy and stands up to the young kid - very emotional stuff. Also Richard Gant's performance as Duke is very believable.
I like how they fold Burgess Meredith back into the movie. Although Mickey died in Rocky III, he comes back in Rocky V through some dream sequences.
The movie contains plenty of real caemos. Most noteable are Philadelphia TV Sports personality "Big Al" Meltzer and Philadelphia Columnist and Radio Host, Stan Hochman. Also in the movie are real-life Boxing analysts - Stu Nahan and Al Bernstein. Real-life referees Lou Filllipo and Frank Cappucino are refs in the movie.
One problem that I felt plagued the Rocky series since Rocky II has been Sylvester Stallone over-choreographing the Boxing sequences. Clearly by Rocky IV, the Boxing sequences were completely unrealistic. In Rocky V, while there are still some Boxing sequences with Tommy Gunn that are still over-choreographed, Rocky Balboa is not going to get in the ring in this movie at all. A predictable thing would have been to end with a Boxing match between Rocky and Tommy - and as I watched this movie, that is where I felt it was heading. However, what happens instead is a Philadelphia Street fight. While Stallone over-choreographed the Boxing matches, the Street Fight is great. I found it incredibly exciting and it proved to be the perfect ending.
Rocky movies have always had great music - from Bill Conti, to Survivor, to Vince DiCola - it was passionate. I think Rocky V's music is the weakest of the series as it tended to go more toward rap/street music. But I also think the music is better used in this movie - instead of as a music video like in Rocky IV, it compliments the movie. This is very evident when you listen to the music during the Street fight. However, I think the use of Elton John's "The Measure of a Man" as the song in the closing credits is perfect. It provides the perfect theme to end the movie as well as the Rocky series. You will also see a montage of clips from all the movies.
Overall, while not the award winning caliber of the original, I still enjoy this movie. It is one of my favorites in the Rocky series. It deserves a chance, despite the negative reviews. Highly recommended.
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