Rocky 4-I mean Rocky IV
Rocky IV, you have to love that. Rocky 4 wouldn't be cal-ass-e, so its Rocky IV. That takes some real nerve doesn't it? Like most of Sly's movies, check your brain at the door. Rocky 4 is pretty much the same way, but as hard as I kick Rocky 4 squarely in its privates, one must remember that good old Rocky's forth time of stumbling around all brain damaged and serving as a human pinata, grossed over $300 million dollars.
And why not? We have Rocky taking on a massive Hitler style wet-dream that is the byproduct of the best of Soviet human engineering. Dolph Lundgren as the killing machine Ivan Drago is actually the show-stealer in Rocky 4 as he is remarkably entertaining as the Soviet death machine. I have always wondered whose daughter Dolph must have screwed over. If ever anyone pissed somebody very powerful off, it was Dolph. Many will say that he can't act and that is why Lungren has only had a few B and C movie parts. Okay, sure, well, half of the male leads in Hollywood can't act and 90% of the action stars can't act, so what does that have to do with anything? Sly and Arnold can't act, I mean, not really, so why not Lungren, ah he's too old now anyway.
Rocky is great as a mindless boxing fantasy where a tiny brain damaged white guy plows through bigger and smarter boxers with the greatest of ease. Its a fantasy film, pure and simple. When watching a Rocky film one should not be too surprised to see elves or fairies in the audience chanting, “Rocky! Rocky!” Just like in any other fantasy film. The success of these films is that they appeal to children, simpletons, simpleton children, frat boys with spiky gelled up hair on “roids” and NASCAR fans, that pretty much covers it. Just as with the Rambo films, Sly knows his audience and he delivers. The message of the Rocky films is just too precious to ignore: don't think, just get in there and take as much damage as possible and you'll win...you might not know what you've won, but you win. Now, isn't that a great message.
Story D
Acting D
Visuals B
Originality/Innovation D
Enjoyability Grade C-
Home Theater/HD Factor B
Overall Grade C- (Just like Sly's Rambo flicks, Rocky 4 is a little jewel of unintentional humor.)
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