Rocky IV

Despite operating on an ideological level that is adorably banal and ultimately extreme in its pathos, it works in an unbelievable way. Dolph Lundgren only says about 10 words total throughout the entire film, yet his portrayal of the (not-so-)bad guy is absolutely iconic (the most divine is when he throws the comrade out of the ring). Without a doubt one of the highlights of the entire franchise. [85%] (2021-11-29)

Seeing this film again after several years is an experience that can’t be forgotten. Rocky IV is the epitome of everything that we loved about the action movies of the 1980s. Good man of steel vs. bad man of steel, good America vs. bad Russia and, if you like, the power of the pure spirit of nature vs. the power of modern technology. There’s revenge for the friend who had been killed, intensive training and a final fight that is so packed with energy that you you want to get up and start throwing punches. Dozens of films at that time offered all of this, but few could serve it all up with such scope and showmanship, and in such a dynamic music-video-style package as Rocky IV. (2002-05-19)

With the fourth installment, the series of Rocky Balboa films has moved from films that bypass me thematically to the category of films that, pardon my French, piss me off. It is rare to see this sort of stupid propagandistic film. There are propagandistic works that have quality directing, polished screenplays, and excellent casts and performances, but Rocky IV has none of that. If I had to look at this matter objectively, I would have to be squatting on Jupiter. Overall impression: 10% (for Gorbachev with the large red spot on his head). (2009-02-24)

One of the best movies with Rocky, mainly because there are five fights in the foreground, like in the third one, but this time they are brilliantly balanced with human destinies. The change in Rocky's relationship with Apollo reached its peak here, but the star of this film is simply the great Dolph Lundgren, who starts his career here with a truly great role. An unforgettable part with a great finale and actually a message that may sound stupid today, but had its justified meaning in its time. (2014-03-18)

"I see three of him." - "Cut the one in the middle!" Many people consider this one of the best, while for me it's the first one I don't give a full rating to. Something is missing (Conti's music especially), something remains (the robot, the horribly long flashback montage before Rocky's departure). Otherwise, it is a perfect spectacle with a killer Dolph Lundgren and a determined-to-death Stallone, who gets a standing ovation from the politburo members at the end. The training part of "modern technology versus barn and nature" is still overwhelming. (2016-01-03)