Movie Notes: Rocky V

June 11th, 2008

= 1 star

Starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Tommy Morrison
Directed by John G. Alvidsen

Synopsis

Following the Ivan Drago match in Rocky IV, Rocky learns he has brain damage, and his unscrupulous accountant has left his family bankrupt. After a forced return to the “old neighborhood” Rocky trains a new, promising boxer Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison) and finds a challenge of a different kind in hyper-competitive promoter George Washington Duke (Richard Gant).

The Good

• The near-comical exaggerations of Rocky III and Rocky IV are kept under check by the return of the director of Rocky and Rocky II, John G. Alvidsen.
• Stallone successfully resurrects the initial dopey but endearing Rocky character, through an amazing amount of dialogue, and honest family scenes.
• The story is more compelling than previous installments, touching on issues of fatherhood, training a protegee, and the ever-present pull of family vs. fame.

The Bad

• Several actors are borderline terrible, Rocky’s son Rocky Jr. (Sage Stallone), Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison), and the crazy promoter George Washington Duke (Richard Gant). Unfortunately, half the movie rides on these three, and later scenes with Duke yelling at Gunn and Rocky Jr. pummeled at school yard are a serious chore to watch.
• While it’s great this flick varies from the typical Rocky pattern, Rocky isn’t in the ring, and several expected Rocky moments are missing or awkward. The training sequence is cringe-worthy, the Tommy Gunn vs. Union Cane match is a let down, and there’s no “Gonna Fly Now” music.
• The climax is a pathetic street fight between Rocky and Tommy Gunn, that makes little sense plot-wise, and completely fails to capture the old Rocky feeling. It’s just embarrassing.

Conclusion

While Rocky V gets some credit for a smarter story and a return to Rocky’s roots, it’s saddled by crappy acting and a completely unsatisfying finale. Skip it and rent Rocky Balboa, which succeeds where Rocky V fails, and provides a satisfying conclusion to the Rocky Balboa saga.

IMDB: Rocky V
Wikipedia: Rocky V
Rotten Tomatoes: Rocky V