Rocky V: 30 Years Later

Even with it being a sports film, Rocky was a drama at its core. An up and comer who gets his big chance against the heavyweight champion. Working for a loan shark, finding the beauty in a shy woman, dealing with an arrogant trainer. Yet, he still chugged along and the film wasn't about winning. It was about making a name for yourself and defying the expectations of many. That's why it was a huge hit in 1976. The second, while not as good, still retained being a great drama. With the third, it was more over the top, and even more ridiculous with the fourth.

When you get to Rocky V, it goes a different direction, and that's what angered movie goers and critics back in November 1990. Following his match against Ivan Drago in the Soviet Union, Rocky Balboa is back in Philadelphia. Things do not go well. He has no money and he can't box due to brain damage. In a way, it tries to go towards the route of the first film, but in a different manner. He is like his old trainer, Mickey, and trains Tommy Gunn, played by real boxer Tommy Morrison. But that relationship gets soured and turns into a street fight at the end, probably the film's most iconic moment.

This was a really bad period for Sylvester Stallone. From 86 until his comeback with Cliffhanger in 93, he wasn't wowing critics. With Rocky V, it lacks any of the charm the first two had. It's not a bad idea to end with what began. Going back to your roots, when done right, is fantastic. It tries to juggle many things. The relationship between Rocky and his son (played by Stallone's son, Sage). Dealing with the financial situations with his wife Adrian. Tommy Gunn and the betrayal. It wasn't developed altogether.

Most networks avoid airing it most of the time. It has its moments, but you won't have the same reactions in the first two films. The impression also being that it would be the last film until speculation in the early 2000s probably didn't sit well. Rocky Balboa captured that dramatic feeling when it came out in 2006. What I think is that people wanted Rocky to bow out on a good note and with V, it didn't feel like a good bowing out. It focused on the idea of boxing, but also Rocky's personal stuff without the juggling issue. Creed 1 and 2 also follow the same template

It's not a completely horrible movie, but it's not a must watch either. There were good ideas, but they felt like they were thrown out the window. But hey, the redemption is there with the last few films that have been made the last 14 years. As long as they know what makes Rocky and Creed tic,, they can avoid disasters like this.

Creed II Review

My thoughts on Creed was that it was not anything impressive or revolutionary. However, it was still a solid movie and a way to continue the Rocky series of films. Creed II continues with that same mantra, but is more settled in as you know the new set of characters. I'd say it's better than the first Creed. And I'm saying that as someone who, even with the trailers, wasn't sure what kind of movie it was going to be.

Adonis Johnson Creed is finally becoming a household name. He finds himself as one of the top boxers. Rocky is at his corner for the fights. Bianca is still by his side through thick and thin. Things are all well. In the Ukraine, Viktor Drago is a very lethal fighter. Trained by father Ivan, his life is hell. Both had endured so much since Ivan's loss to Rocky that it exiled them from Soviet Russia. The hope to bring glory back to them and Russia sends them to Philadelphia for a fight against Adonis.

Going in, I was somewhat expecting something over the top like Rocky IV. Being down to earth helps Creed II and doesn't stray away from what made the first one good. This is similar to Creed, but sprinkled with Rocky II, III, and IV. However, it doesn't wind up being a one sided amount of screen time with one set of characters. They give Ivan and Viktor a decent amount of time and they create a fair amount of backstory for Ivan. Another thing is that they are not portrayed as super villains. They are just people trying to make a name for themselves once again. Otherwise, it's still a gritty film.

Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone are still great and provide a nice chemistry as fighter and trainer. They feed off each other with phenomenal performances that feels very real as Adonis and Rocky. Tessa Thompson is excellent and I like that Bianca is given a lot of development. There is more to her compared to Adrian. A lot more, and she is a complete character. Between the three characters, they provide a strong emotional roller coaster of ups and downs.

Going with the amount of time with the Dragos, Dolph Lundgren is portrayed as more than just a puppet and an emotionless person with Ivan. He wants the good life and it will have to take blood, sweat, and tears for his son to bring them back to glory. Viktor is similar to what his father was in Rocky IV, minus the steroids. That being said, he does have some things to say and he takes a lot of abuse verbally in order to stay strong.

The boxing is about as brutal as you can get without becoming an R rated film. It comes off very real and not over the top compared to a few of the Rocky sequels. As I said about the first Creed, I wouldn't be surprised if these guys took actual damage from some of those punches. Some very strong choreography helps quite a bit, and the training is not overly ridiculous.

Clocking in at just under two hours, Creed II has its own identity while still being a sequel to the Rocky franchise. It stands out a lot more and continues to have a solid foundation for its characters and create some strong drama and sports action. Also quite a few surprises, too. This is a must watch. Head to your theater and see it. You won't be disappointed.

Score: 8.5 out of 10

Creed Review

How about a double review for this Tuesday? I have seen all six Rocky movies, but Creed was something I thought about seeing in theaters in 2015 and forgot about it. With the news this year of the upcoming sequel, I needed to get caught up. What I watched was good, but nothing impressive.

Other than the first five minutes or so, I felt like I was watching a grittier version of the first Rocky. Adonis Johnson, who was conceived by Apollo Creed because of an affair, is a scrappy person who likes fighting. Even though Apollo's wife, Mary Anne, takes him in as a child, he still has thoughts about boxing, which includes some bouts in Mexico while working a regular job as an adult. He quits and decides to go full time boxing. With that, he heads for Philadelphia to see if Rocky Balboa will train him.

In a way, it is like viewing the first Rocky, though it's not directly similar as far as Adonis' story goes. The relationship between the two is similar to how Rocky and Mickey were. Rocky is not exactly willing to go back to the ring as a mentor and trainer, but decides to. Mickey was somewhat like that, but he didn't want to waste time training bums considering he could train other contenders. Adonis wants to make a name for himself and the training is a combination of the first three films, which includes the chicken bit that originated from Rocky II. Basically, Rocky wants to see if the kid has the stuff and if he is not a pretender.

As far as the character relationship goes, Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone gel together quite well and give great performances as Adonis and Rocky. You feel the ups and downs as they battle personal issues and the training to be the best. Outside of the training, there is also the relationship between Adonis and Bianca, played by Tessa Thompson. Luckily, it doesn't go the route of what Rocky and Adrian had. It's more along the line of hate and then turning into love. Bianca is also not afraid to say what is on her mind, but as a whole, the character is more than just a supporting role as she experiences some of the highs and lows that Adonis has.

Like all the others, there is the boxing. We get to see a few, which includes the final scenes of the film. Taking a page from Rocky V and Balboa, they got some real boxers for them, and I wouldn't be surprised if they took some major damage from some of those punches. They are not portrayed as villains, which makes it feel more real and grittier. It's not a show like the first Rocky, nor is it over the top like III and IV.

It is very lengthy, but there is more than enough to keep you watching. Like I said, it doesn't impress me, but Creed doesn't need to do anything revolutionary. It continues on the legacy of the Rocky series. Judging by what they doing with the newest one that comes out soon, being a drama is what makes the movies work and when done right, it makes the experience a lot more better.

Score: 7 out of 10