Rocky IV

The fourth installment of the Rocky franchise. Honestly I don't really know where to go in this review because, to be honest, there isn't a whole lot of substance in this movie compared to the others. Sure it was fun and all seeing Rocky and Drago fight along with three whole montages (definitely a record), but the downsizing and watering down that had to take place to earn that fun wasn't all that worth it. Rocky, who has learned to overcome the distance, be human, care for his family and friends and most importantly in Rocky 3, learned to get his hunger, will, and drive back , is reduced to an unstoppable American warrior. Not to say that the politics in the movie was terrible, no I didnt really have too much of a problem with it, it just made Rockys character into a spectacle to counter Drago, who at the end of the day is just gonna go down as "The Biggest/Hardest Fighter Rocky ever had to face". While yes most Rocky villains outside of Apollo don't have to much of a character/impact, Drago will probably have the least emotional impact in the franchise, in my opinion. Speaking of Apollo, that is one of the things I did enjoy about the movie, that I'm surprised didn't get applied to Rocky was the introduction of the "Warrior Mentality" and the sudden downfall of Apollo Creed. Easily the best part of the movie, with Apollo being convinced he still needs to prove that he is a winner to himself, despite being retired for five years, ultimately leading to his death. I could go on much longer about why its important and why I like it so much but I will leave it simply as the best part of the movie. Overall Rocky 4 is still fun but sadly sacrifices its realism for 80's spectacle