Rocky V

Got all the Rocky movies and love them all. Other reviews will tell you about movie as I don't go into much detail. I either love it or not. Another one I will watch over but I do them from the first to the end. Rocky movies inspire me to exercise which I hate to do but will while watching the movie and using the treadmill at the same time.

I am always been a Rocky Balboa's fan, and for the finale of the older Rocky's version, this movie is a good sequel

I believe I was Sage Stallone's age when Rocky V first came out. I've seen all the Rocky films and I am a big Stallone fan. I know the history of Rocky and seeing all the Rocky movies I think I can fairly say that critics and fans are bias against this installment.

The claim is that Rocky V was unrealistic and a let down as a film ending. If you ask me the Rocky movies should have stopped at Rocky 2 or at Rocky because it went downhill each sequel. Rocky 2 was BORING. Rocky 3 was fairly entertaining and Rocky 4 stunk to high heaven. Stallone acted like he was bored in Rocky 4! Rocky V is a decent sequel compared to the others. It's no worse than 3 or 4 so it makes you wonder why people hate on it so much.

Some say it's not true to the story of Rocky. Bullcrap. Rocky V pissed folks off because it took Rocky back to the beginning. People loved the "rags to riches" angle and that's why Rocky became such a success. He was the underdog who always won. I admired Rocky V because it was the only time Rocky seemed to remember where he came from after making it big. In Rocky 3 and 4 Rocky didn't even act like he knew what the streets were, let alone that he'd grown up there. There was no evidence of the original Rocky in either of those sequels. Maybe Stallone made part five to instill some reality back in the character because the Rocky in 3 and 4 acted nothing like the original Rocky. He not only became more educated but he acted like a totally different person with no common sense.

People complained about the rap music. Hello it was 1990! Eye of the Tiger will forever be one of Rocky's known songs but why someone would expect Eye of the Tiger to be the theme of a film from 1990 (an entirely different era than when Survivor made the song) is beyond me and ridiculous! The Rocky films have been made over a period of thirty years! The rap music and other changes in Rocky V were true to what was happening then. In 1990 rap music ruled the charts and that's just how it was. But why such a big deal about the damn music? I think it's another evidence of people nickpicking because they weren't happy with this installment. Tough.

As for the street fight thing, it didn't matter to me because it was still entertaining. Rocky V was interesting and lacked the dull moments of Rocky 4, which in my opinion was the worst, silliest and most boring of the Rocky movies! Maybe it's the fact that 5 was supposed to be the end that got folks so riled up but either way, this film isn't as horrible as some claim. Most of the negativity comes from the disappointment from people who didn't like how Stallone ended things. Well not only is there Rocky Balboa but Stallone's contemplating making a seven so those folks should now be happy. I think he should have quit at the first Rocky. Even though I've enjoyed some of the sequels, they were never as good as the first.

Of course Rocky V is far from perfect. Stallone goes too far with "the past". The part where Rocky starts wearing the same clothes as he did in the first film was silly. I don't think he could have still worn the same clothes in 1990 that he wore in 1976. I also don't think he would have kept those clothes all that time. Who keeps clothes that long? Also the part about Adrienne and her glasses was silly too. Why would she keep glasses from all those years and then didn't even remember she had? And why did she stop wearing her glasses in the first place? She wore them in the first Rocky then all of a sudden never put them back on. I also don't think they needed to go back to the same area they used to live. Just because they were broke doesn't mean they would go back to the old neighborhood. I think Rocky would have been way too embarrassed to go back there after what happened to him. Adrienne talks about going back to work at the pet store??? You mean to say that pet store would still be around? It was too bad they never gave Adrienne a life outside of Rocky. This woman has been married to this man for decades at this point and she has never learned to do anything other than work at the pet store? Please. It also made no sense that Rocky and Adrienne put up with Paulie after what he did. Another silly thing was that Rocky had started acting like a Harvard graduate when he was rich and famous then all of a sudden when he's broke again he's dumb as a brick again? WTF?

I recommend Rocky V if you can accept that people and things change and grow with age. It's not perfect but no movie is. With each era came a different Rocky movie and a different Rocky so people can't expect time to stand still. Each film was supposed to be different. My main complaint was that Rocky V didn't have Apollo Creed who died in 4 which was stupid! Carl Weathers was Rocky's best nemesis and I think Rocky V would have rocked if Apollo and Rocky had to step back into the ring and battle each other. So much for wishful thinking.

Meredith Burgess didn't die until 1997 so why he was killed off in Rocky 3 I have no idea! The lost of Mickey and Apollo is when Rocky should have ended forever.

im not sure how you cant enjoy this movie for the pure entertainment value alone. what an excellant movie, and although it may not be my favorite of all the rocky movies, i must give it five stars because i like it that much. great movie. thats all i can say

Rocky V starring Sylvester Stallone is pretty good and I am surprised this film got horrible reviews. Rocky V is not as good as the first one or the fourth one but this fifth outing isn't a trainwreck by any means. Stallone's real life son appears as Rocky Jr. I prefer Rocky V over Rocky Balboa, that one was a snoozer. Rocky V is fun, edgier, and awesome. Don't believe the hype, it's worth a viewing or two.

This movie didn't suck but it wasn't a great movie either. The main thing that hurt it was the street fight. When people went to see the Rocky movies, they expected to see prizefights. Not a street fight. At the beginning of each Rocky movie (except for the first and sixth one) it showed the ending of the fight he had in the previous movie. Why wasn't the ending of the street fight shown in Rocky Balboa? It was obviously not shown because the street fight was pathetic.
Another thing that hurt this movie was that Rocky lost all of his money. Many fans hated this. This movie is worth watching but it is obviously the worst of the six Rocky movies.

This was the movie that made you realize Rocky was still just a human again!!
Worth the Buy!!

I think this was the only Rocky film I never saw at the theater. I guess I'd had enough by then. However, I did catch this on VHS and, despite all the negative opinions I had read concerning it, I was glad I saw it. It was typical Rocky entertainment: hokey but satisfying and generally enjoyable.

Richard Gant did a nice job impersonating Don King and Tommy Morrison, a real-life fighter, turned out to be a pretty good actor. Again, we see the familiar characters, namely "Rocky," his wife "Adrian" (Talia Shire) and "Paulie" (Burt Young), Rocky slob-friend.

The final scene provides the usual over-done fight but, if you've seen the others and enjoyed them, then you should like this, too. It may be the least memorable of the Rocky series, but it was still fun to watch.

I own the older box set with the first 5 Rocky films included in it. I wanted to write reviews for the individual films. This review is for the film and the older release DVD.

I have to give Stallone credit for trying to go somewhere new with the series, but this film just has too many clichés to keep it from being very good. Stallone's real life son is a terrible actor and is one of the reasons this film is the worst in the series. Overall the formula keeps you watching and the film is entertaining if you don't think about it too long.

The DVD transfer on my edition is OK, but there is room for improvement.

*** ADDED NOTE ***
The worst film in this series is kind of unclear, as part's 4 or 5 could be viewed as the worst installment. While both films are entertaining, they are the least in the Rocky franchise. This point was brought to my attention by an Amazon buddy!

Thank You Stan!

This movie is what it is..it shows us the ugly side of the boxing business (think of it that way).

A young boxer approaches rocky in the need of aid, rocky retired and broke takes on tommy as manager. George W. duke a very popular boxing promoter always on the hunt for rocky to fight again discovers tommy, and turns tommy into rocky's enemy more or less. This movie isn't that bad, it isn't the best sequel in the series nor is it the worst movie in the series...the worst movie would have to go to rocky IV "the musical", think about it rocky IV is all montages and no real story (my opinion).

Rocky V has alot of heart and charm in the film, i simply love it, and love the soundtrack which i recently bought.

The Bottom Line:

Many fans of the series hate this movie, but I was just relieved to see it try something different--it's not really a very good film, but at least it tells a story that isn't the exact same thing as Rocky III and IV.

I love Rocky 5 and I'm not afraid to admit it! This movie has been dumped on for years by critics and fans, but I feel that's all rather harsh. It may not be the best film, but it's nowhere near as bad as it's reputation makes it out to be. When you talk to someone about the Rocky series, people always tend to like them all "except for Part 5, that was stupid". So where did all this hatred come from? Could be a number of things, but I think it has a lot to do with the number 5. When you get to the point of having a 5 slapped on after the film's title, it's usually not a good thing. Part 5s are reserved for Friday The 13s, Nightmare On Elm Streets and Police Academys, not Rocky movies. I think the film may have been conceived as a joke before many folks even saw it, especially since Rocky 4, while an entertaining movie, started delving into the ridiculous. And I think most people went into this film while in the mindset of, "this is a bad movie". Maybe it just wasn't the right time and people weren't wanting another Rocky film.
But when you think about it, it's actually a good movie, kind of a downer, but life can certainly be a downer, even in Rockyland. It's a little more down to earth. Rocky loses his money and is forced to move back to his old neighborhood. Brain damage from the fight with Drago has now made it so he can't fight anymore, yet he's constantly harassed by boxing promoter George Washington Duke(a thinly disguised portrayal of Don King) to make a big comeback in a fight with the #1 contender. Adrian returns to her old job and Rocky reopens Mickey's gym. Young boxer Tommy Gunn befriends Rocky looking for his big shot at becoming a pro. Rocky agrees to manage and train him, thus shunning his son who is trying hard to adjust to this different lifestyle. Family conflicts galore!! Then the slimy Duke, still trying to get Rocky into the ring, gets his claws into Tommy. Tommy gets a taste of money and success and soon becomes sick of being referred to as Rocky's "robot", and decides to earn his respect by pushing Rocky to fight. Of course we all know that it all ends in a cool street brawl.
This film strayed from the formula of the last two films. It now put Rocky in the role of Mickey training a hungry young boxer like he once was. Rocky acts more like Rocky in this film. We all noticed that after part 2, Rocky's personality changed. He wasn't the childlike, slightly punchy and lovable dope anymore, but seemed like the kind of character Stallone played a lot of in the 80s. It's nice to see Rocky in his old clothes and hat acting like Rocky(he even starts smoking again!), even if it doesn't really make sense why he went from upper class hoity toity back to how he was before.
One flaw I certainly found in this film was the character of Tommy Gunn, or maybe it's real life boxer Tommy Morrison's performance. You're supposed to like him in the beginning and view him as a kind of second generation Rocky, but you never like the guy. I certainly didn't anyhow. He never comes across as a very likable or sympathetic character, even when telling a sob story about an abusive father. Gunn's a necessary character to the story, but a lousy one(but again, that could just be Morrison's performance).
Often(always)overlooked is the performance of Richard Gant who plays the evil G. W. Duke. This guy has got the fast talking, hustling schtick of Don King down awesomely. He's easily one of the best aspects of the movie. When ever I see Gant in other films, I immediately think, "Hey! It's Duke!"
I tend to hear people whine about Rocky's son, played by Sly's real life son, Sage Stallone. A lot of folks think he's annoying, but I don't have a problem with him. Sage grew up to start the company Grindhouse Releasing. So look at it this way, Sage is the reason we have Cannibal Holocaust on DVD here in the states, so I think the entire U.S. should owe a debt of gratitude.
So in the end I'm basically saying that Rocky 5 has always been unfairly labeled as a dreadful film. I never said it was a great film(I just said I loved it), but if you feel particularly ballsy, you might want to catch it again. You might...just might...be surprised.

I purchased this dvd for him as a christmas gift it was the last one he needed to have th complete set of Rocky movies. It arrived quickly and I have no complaints.

I have waited for the holiday to come to watch the Rocky V with my son. Therefore, it wasn't until yesterday I opened up the DVD box to watch it. Then I found out it was wrong movie. Something like "The Witches" and "The never ending story" were in the box. It was quite ironic. I hope this was just accidental wrapping mistake.

Where as"Rocky"was"The Ultimate Feel Good Movie",this is"The Ultimate Feel Bad Movie".How depressing,Rocky looses everything,and is forced to go back to slums.Excuse me,but what happened to attaining the American dream.That was what was so great about Rocky,was that he attained success.Now Rocky is A pennyless bum again,c'mon!And to be quite truthfully Rocky got stale years ago,so avoid this movie like the plague.The,hopefully,last chapter"Rocky Balboa",at least let The character have some dignity.As far as I'm considered this film never existed."Rocky Balboa"is in my book"Rocky 5".Terrible chapter in the Rocky Saga.

Rocky's returned from Russia (Rocky IV), with permanent brain damage curtailing his boxing career. But his comfortable retirement is likewise cut short when the accountant Paulie hired absconds with all their money, and they have to move back to the old neighborhood. A slick fight promoter nags him to return to the ring, and he resists, but sees a way to recover some of his glory when a young boxer asks Rocky to train him.

Rocky gets so caught up in the training that he neglects his family, and his son gets in trouble, and then everything is solved by a quick father/son chat and a fistfight outside a bar.

Mostly, it was boring. The beginning of the movie was just flashback after flashback of the previous movies, interspersed with repeated nagging from the promoter and incessant reminders that if he fights, he'll die. Adrian was her usual annoying, whiny self, and Paulie was more useless than ever. The son (who was several years older than he was in the previous movie--presumably because he's played by Sage Stallone) was unrealistic.

There was quite a lot of unrealized potential in the movie. If some of those interminable flashbacks from the first half and training montages from the second had been cut, there might have been time to develop a more realistic conflict resolution with the son, and a more meaningful climax to the movie than a fistfight.

Yes, I know, the fighting is a big part of the series, but it's pointless without a meaningful context. I don't think it's just a girly reaction on my part, because my 3 guys didn't like it either.

I grew up on the rocky movies and I love them to this day. I now have all six rocky movies that came out and they will be one of the all time greats.

As a Rocky aficionado, this movie disappoints me in so many ways. It nearly tarnishes the Rocky legacy, and should simply never have been made. If it weren't for the fact that Rocky I-IV are so stupendous (with Rocky IV being simply one of the best action movies of all time), this could have really hurt Sylvester Stallone's career.

Rocky IV left us with the champ just getting through the fight of his life against Russian behemoth with hammers for fists and enough chemical enhancements to drop a horse. Not only that, but Rocky was taking on a cold-war powerhouse, an entire country, and communism as a whole. He was crazy-busy. It's a good thing he signed over power of attorney to Paulie for all those pesky multi-million dollar financial details.

Meanwhile, Adrian never double-checked the finances on her gravy train - because she was too busy harping at Rocky - and lets Paulie squander the Balboa fortune faster than MC Hammer could have. Soon Rocky has moved back into the slums of Philly, can't fight because of a brain tumor - which is not shocking at all considering his fighting style, and has been relegated to training an up-and-coming boxer named Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrisson) in Mickey's old gym. During the training, Rocky treats Tommy like a surrogate son while neglecting his own son. Speaking of his son, this is one of my biggest problems with Rocky V.

In Rocky IV he was like six years old, a believer in Santa and the Easter Bunny, but just a few days later in Rocky V he's damn-near growing a mustache. Either there is a huge plot hole, or the kid's part werewolf.

Exactly how long was Rocky in Russia?

Much like her son, Adrian (Talia Shire) is also a horrible character. She once again seems to hate the fact that Rocky is a boxer, telling him that he can't win, that he's washed up, that he's going to die - just like she has done in seemingly every previous Rocky movie. She sure doesn't seem to be bothered by the furs, the fancy cars, the means to buy someone a robot, the jewelry, her ginormous house, or her plastic surgery throughout the years.

She's yet again the Jar Jar Binks from Star Wars, the Zander Barcalow from Starship Troopers - the character who doesn't help the movie's plot, and creates forced sexual drama or a love triangle where it is not needed or wanted. In fact, I think we can all blame Adrian's character for creating the "pointless love interest in an otherwise great sports movie"-niche. She essentially caused Barbara Hershey in Hoosiers, Susan Sarandon in Bull Durham, and Barbara Hershey in The Natural.

Anyway, the story comes full circle as Rocky learns that what matters most is family and friends as he meets up with his easily influenced protégé in a knock-down, drag-out street brawl finale. Lesson learned, he walks away without a belt, but he's still the champ.

Item was not available in my area of the country. Much easier to order thru Amazon! Now we have the complete Rocky Series!

Stallone said he really felt he made a mistake originally ending the series with this one -- and audiences must have agreed as it was the lowest box office grosser of the series, up to that point. ROCKY BALBOA is a neater fit as a final film but don't get me wrong, this is an entertaining movie. I have to agree with the reviewer who asked how Rocky's son aged so quickly between IV & V!

Well-intentioned yet hopelessly contrived, "Rocky V" (1990) earns a few points by avoiding the comic-book slickness of "Rocky IV." Unfortunately, Sylvester Stallone does a poor job establishing the Italian Stallion's bittersweet decline. The climactic street brawl works, but the family-oriented narrative goes in too many directions. At least "Rocky V" paved the way for a triumphant finale with "Rocky Balboa."

Easily the worst of the Rocky movies. Only got it cause I needed to fill the space on my shelf between IV and Balboa.

If you never watched any Rocky movies, I suggest you watch them.
Keep in mind, you can very much get away with skipping this one.
You are probably best off watching Rocky 1 thru 4 and then Rocky Balboa in order to maintain any reedeeming qualities that this series may have.

Rocky 5 brings to our attention (with mostly sub-par acting) the corruptness that is involved in boxing. Mostof us were already aware of this. Rocky 5 also tries to tell us of a story of family sticking together through rough times. It's a noble story but again done with sub-par acting.

For die-hard Rocky fans, you may as well own this one just to complete the collection. But unlike the other Rocky movies, don't watch it for any other reason but just for the hell of it because you're bored and looking to kill an hour an a half of time.

Even Sly Stallone admits that he's a little embarrassed by Rocky 5, and is one of the reasons why he wrote Rocky Balboa. And he definitely did a great job at reedeeming this story and character with Rocky Balboa

I LOVE the "Rocky" series!! I'm a BIG Sylvester Stallone fan, and the Rocky movies make us "underdogs" feel like we have a shot....!! Not to mention that "Sly" is really HOT looking in boxing trunks!!!!

I sat up late last night watching this movie and I have to agree with most that this was the weakest of the Rocky movies in terms of plot and plausibility. The Rocky of the first four movies, who despite his lack of education and slow exterior, is far from stupid and rather shrewd in reading people (except maybe his brother in law Paulie). In this movie, Rocky makes departures from character that brain damage can't explain. It's hard to believe that Rock wouldn't see through a violent upstart like Tommy, trust alcoholic Paulie to be in charge of his finances at all in the first place, or be that distant from his son (though of course he doesn't realize he is at all in his zeal to develop his own version of Mini-Me). And that street fight was just corny.
However, what saved this movie for me was the interaction between Rocky and "the kid" because it was played by a real life father and son. Sly and Sage didn't have to act those scenes-those tender shows of affection (mostly on Rocky's part), and Rocky's heartfelt plea to assure his son of his wish to keep the "home team" intact, were absolutely genuine, and made the movie worthwhile to me (of course, I love sappy stuff like that).
I'm only sorry Sage didn't return for Rocky 6...

The first film made sense; this doesn't. Stallone is milking this for all he can. Get real, an antique boxer defeating a young guy. What is the next Rocky going to involve a match with dueling walkers?

Unlike a lot of reviewers, I won't totally trash Rocky V. It actually had a decent story but there was just something that it lacked in terms of trying to be the final Rocky.

Certain parts in the film actually are pretty good but they just don't go together very well. While none of the sequels equal the original Rocky (with the exception of Rocky Balboa), all of them seem to have a flow to them that this one kind of lacked. In fact, when I view this film, I rarely look at the whole thing. Most of the time, I forward it to the end with the streetfight which is probably the best part in the whole film! If you notice, the new Rocky barely mentions Rocky V except for the phrase "Home Team" when he was talking to his son! That's how lowly regarded this film is.

I can only recommend this film to die-hard Rocky fans or to those that want the whole story. Otherwise, I'd say skip this one and get the new one along with the first four films.

Don't be discouraged by the poor user reviews this movie received. In my opinion, this is one of the best Rocky movies ever! This one has one of the best developed plots, twists and turns of any of them. I won't spoil the movie if you haven't seen it, but this is one you definitely should watch and has become probably my favorite of them all.

Rocky 5 has Sylvester Stallone coming back from Russia with a bad concussion after his fight with Drago. His head must be so bad that he doesn't notice that his son is like 12 or 13 now instead of 8 yrs old like he was when he left him in part 4 to go to Russia lol. Rocky has to retire since he suffered some brain damage. They can't afford their big house anymore and have to move back to the streets where Rocky grew up. Meanwhile I'm sure they could've got good money for Paulie's big talking robot maid that Rocky bought Paulie in Rocky 4 lol. After Rocky revisits Mick's old gym, he decides to be a train people there. A young boxer named Tommy Gunn persues Rocky to be his new manager. Rocky is against it at first but decides to eventually.

Rocky gets so close to him that he doesn't notice that he's ignoring his own son and that he's not happy. Which starts to hurt their relationship. Since Rocky never actually boxes in this one, the movie is a little more forgettable than the others. This movie is more in tune with the original style of the first movie than it's like the flashy and cartoonish "but entertaining Rocky 4".

It's more about Rocky's struggle after boxing and how hard it is for him to not actually be in the ring himself. When managing Tommy, he basically sees himself in the kid but Paulie warns him that he's not anything like him. Especially after Tommy starts to listen to a sleazy promoter instead of Rocky. He believes he's ready for a title and that Rocky is holding him back. The promoter gets in his head so much that he's soon picking a fight with Rocky but don't expect an actual boxing match betwen the two. But Rocky getting pumped up by picturing Mick telling him to get off his butt makes the fight scene entertaining anyway. Hell it's what makes the whole fight entertaining actually!

First off we are the die hard grade nine Rocky fanatics from Markham Ontario!!!

As a class we have watched the entire Rocky Box set. We have supported Rocky through thick and thin.
We have watched him struggle through the good times and the bad. Rocky five is where we draw the line. The Marraige ends here.

While watching the film we felt sickened and disturbed it was very difficult to even give a two star rating. The plot was full of loop holes, unbelievable events and low-budget , crappy , amateur acting. Tommy Gunn the mulleted masquerader was the worst character the Rocky series has seen to date. Acting lessons for this man are a necessity and would provide no guarantee to improve his performance. Tommy Gunn needs to give poor little Sly his room back , or at least hook him up with a bunk-bed!!!!

From bad acting to Rocky's lifetime fortune magically disappearing, because Paully for some strange reason was given all signing
and financial powers. Paully would be lucky to manage signing a check at a liquor store. I think on this issue nothing more needs to be said.

As for little Sly (Sage) he couldn't act cold soaking wet, naked , in the most northern arctic region. We believe Sage should have suffered
the same fate that Mr.Carl Weathers suffered in Rocky 4. Please save us from this miserably failed attempt at over the top cheese wafer acting.

The final bone to be picked lies with the ending or lack of a suitable finish. Rocky, who from day one has taken care of buisness ,should have mopped the floor with Tommy Gunn's mullet. Rocky saved the world form communism but could barely manage to finish off an amateur boxer trained by himself!!! The only way to save this movies sub-par finish would be the trimming of Tommy Gunn's kentucky waterfall in-front of the entire American population on live T.V.

P.S. Little Sly do yourself a favour, loose the Christmas ornament dangling from your ear.!!! The movie was BARELYYYYYY worth 2 stars!!!!!!

Overall it was okay, SLY tried to end it well, but Rocky VI was alot better ending of the saga... But every single Rocky 1-6 Rocked....

While many reviewers trash this film, I take a different tact. Rocky returns from Russia with apparent brain damage, and his wife Adrian forbids him to fight professionally. Compounding their problems, they have lost all their money through a blunder by brother Paulie, and they have to move back into the old rough tough neighborhood of hard knocks.

Rocky V is a story of family. How will the family pull together to survive this setback? Rocky has a pre-teen son and although he loves him like a precious gem, the Rock is distracted from his son and his relationship with him, when another fighter, Tommy Gun, (Tommy Morrison) asks Balboa to train and manage him. So Tommy Gun becomes Rocky's surrogate son and Rocky sees himself in Tommy Gun and pours all of his energy and love into developing Tommy Gun while neglecting the emotional needs of his own son. There is also tension between Adrain and Rocky, as she sees Rocky neglecting his family for one last shot of fame thorugh Tommy Gun. The scenes with Adrian are realistic and passionite, and I admire her (acting) ability to stand up to her famous husband to set his straight. She is the moral compass in his life. Witout Adrian, Rocky would be adrift at see without a rudder.

Abruptly, Tommy Gun is lured away from Rocky's teaching and guidance by a "Don King-like" charcter. Gun wins the championship and does not find his fans pleased with him, as they resent him for abandoning the man who got him to the top - Rocky Balboa. So, unrealistically, Tommy Gun initiates a street brawl with Balboa outside the neighborhood bar. It is a fight to the finish. Rocky settles his differences with Tommy Gun in a protracted physical battle.

Some highlights of the film are when Rocky goes back to Mick's gym and we view a flashback of Mick training Rocky for the Apollo Creed bout and telling Rocky how much he means to him. It is a touching scene, and Burgess Meridith is excellent in showing his passion and love for Rocky. Dittos with the scene where Adrian confronts Rocky on the street after Tommy Gun abandones him, and chastises him for losing his family for his devotion to Tommy Gun. Finally, I loved the scene where Rocky goes down to the street corner to reestablish his relationship with his estranged son. It is touching and realistic, and shows the tender heart of Rocky that we have all come to love.

As the movie closes, we are treated to scenes of all the previous Rocky movies, from the very beginning to the end. From this visual reviewal, it is apparent that this was to be the last Rocky movie. And it could have ended here on a satisfactory note, as all the key issues in the film have been resolved. However, Stallone's career did not take off as expected after he had put Rocky to rest, so in 2006, he released the final (final) Rocky movie, which by the way is a treat to watch too.

I recommend Rocky 5 as a highly entertaining movie that captures the heart of the character of Rocky and his evolving relationships with his beloved Adrian and his son.

Jim 'Konedog" Koenig

so, out comes a great pic with a different twist and everybody got a bug up their flabby out of shape keester that this one is so terrible, and they all are bad since ROCKY!??? This (#5) is the first one i bought! Great story and great example of what goes round comes round. It shows that some people don't need to be in the ring and center of attraction to be (-come) a true champ. Rock On, Italian Stallion!!! The saga is great from start to finish, look forward to enjoying ONE thru SIX for years to come! Nuff said!

This was a great rocky movie. It brought the true realities of a successful boxer that had previously encountered fame then went through the present harshness of financial troubles. It also deals with a boxer that has a strong desire to fight for a reason to support his family but cannot because of his severe brain damage injuries sustained by Ivan Drago. It also deals with the aspect of family and how they play an integral part of Rocky. Especially the relationship with his wife and son. I personally feel that their support throughout the last fight with Tommy Gunn helped Rocky on an emotional level to bring back his fighting spirit against Tommy Gunn. Tommy gunn's character also shows how the aspects of greed also affect a boxer's lust for greed. The previous Rocky films did not touch base with the inner realities of a boxer and as a result were mainly based on the 'standard train and fight for a purpose' formula. I felt that this was a great rocky and is a sequal that should not be ignored by any means.

Despite still being enjoyable, there was a general feeling among critics and the public back in the late 80's that the last couple of "Rocky" movies had gotten a little too cartoonish, broad, and simplistic (especially "Rocky IV"). So Sylvester Stallone enlisted the aid of original "Rocky" director John G. Avildsen to help bring the series back down to earth with 1990's "Rocky V". The results are generally positive, though bringing subtlety back to the "Rocky" series was kind of like trying to put the toothpaste back into the tube. That is, some of the little storylines and themes, though character based and well acted, STILL felt a little simple and broad. For example, Rocky has to learn that he shouldn't put all his attention and emotions behind the new fighter he is training, to the exclusion of his son, who needs his attention more. This is a nice lesson, but an obvious one.

But numerous small touches of the non-obvious variety abound. I liked how Rocky Jr. was falling prey to a bully until his father showed him how to defend himself. Seeing Rocky Jr. knocking the bully down was admittedly satisfying but still predictable and obvious, but a couple of scenes later it was nice to see the bully sitting with Rocky Jr. watching TV in the Balboa living room. It was a subtle grace note, not pounded home with obvious dialogue, showing how kids are often better than adults at getting past feuds and fights and becoming friends. There were several little touches like this throughout the film.

In many ways "Rocky V" is an awkward, gawky type of film, what with its dragging itself kicking and screaming back to a more subtle form of storytelling after Rocky effectively brought down communism in the previous installment. It attempts to keep the big, inspirational tone of the last couple of movies while simultaneously trying to bring back the intimacy of the first two films, and the fit isn't always perfect. So I can understand those who don't particularly like the movie. But I don't understand those who actively hate it. While not a complete success, "Rocky V" is- to this "Rocky" fan, at least- always interesting and entertaining.

This final? entry in the Rocky series is yet another further decline from the Oscar winning first entry in the series. Rocky is retired and Mick and Apollo are both dead. Tommy Gunn, a real life pro boxer becomes the new face of boxing and Rocky is passe. The appearance of Don King in this film makes me wonder if the real life boxing industry was going after the Rocky series for some reason. Not worth seeing unless you were really moved like myself by the first film. Rocky and Tommy Gunn duke it out in a street fight.

This film has stained the Rocky name and brought our hero down to his knees in shame.In this movie,Rocky Balboa has suffered brain damage at the hands of Ivan Drago in IV,and is forced to retire from the ring.Just when the Italian Stallion is forced to give up his dream,along comes Tommy Gunn,an oafish,yet deadly fighter that Rocky agrees to train.Shunting his wife and son aside to train Tommy,a corrupted fight promoter takes over Tommy's fighting schedule and convinces Tommy that he will never be recognized if he doesn't defeat Rocky.It all leads to a blowout in some street as rocky and Tommy each throw punches and decide who is the real champ.The storyline was awful,Rocky was not the fighter he used to be,and the fight did not take place in the ring.Don't buy this film.

Not only was this the worst Rocky of all times, but just might be the worst movie of all times! I believe this is where Stallone was having his midlife crisis and could not possibly think straight!! This movie had flaws all over it! 1st off, Rocky 4got how to talk! Then when Rocky got off the plane (from Russia), his son had aged about 5 years! How long did Rocky stay in Russia? Also Adrian would have had to sign the Power of Attorney papers! Rocky would also have consoled in his wife b4 allowing Paulie to control his finances for sure! The brain damage was stupid being a heroic/fictional movie to begin with! There was no Rocky themes! The old school hip hop music in a Rocky movie does not work! The movie ending with Rocky not a champ nor having any money was so unispirational it's pathetic! That's what Rocky movies were all about! Inpiration! And there was none!
Even Stallone himself said he was didssappointed with Rocky 5 (now that his midlife crisis is over)! Thank God Rocky 6 is coming out so this saga can be rejuvinated!

To start off, this is a very underrated film. I'm a huge fan of the Rocky films. It's actually one of the better Rocky movies in my opinion. Just because it doesn't have a boxing match or it's "weak" and Rocky is broke doesn't mean it is a horrible movie. It's beautiful. It's bittersweet. It's original. People go broke, they get sick, stuff happens, that's life.

Rocky returns home from Russia only to find he has brain damage inflicted on him in the ring by the Ivan Drago. Rocky then discovers that his fortune is gone thanks to Adrian's brother Paulie, who has been squandered by their incompetent accountant. Rocky is forced to sell everything and the family is left broke.
Despite all this, Rocky reluctantly goes back to Philadelphia to start over since medical condition prevents him from boxing. The changes prove to be difficult to Robert(Rocky's son) who quickly becomes involved with a bad crowd, and encounters a bully. Financially desperate, Rocky is tempted to re-enter the ring when shady promoter George Washington Duke offers him a huge amount of money to defend his title. Duke is a very irritating and pushy character. Adrian proves to have the brains in this film as well as in the Balboa clan. She insists that Rocky not risk his life by returning to the ring. Rocky's financial future looks bleak, until he Rocky meets Tommy Gunn, who idolizes Rocky and begs Rocky to train him. Rocky reopens Mickey's gym and begins to train Tommy. The two become good friends, like brothers almost, which puts a strain on Rocky's relationship with his son. He relives his memories through Tommy and becomes alive again while losing himself and his family in the process.
After Tommy the "Machine Gun" wins his first few matches, he starts becoming arrogant. George Washington Duke notices Tommy and Tommy leaves Rocky for Duke. In the end Rocky cannot compete with the money, women, and high-priced prizes being offered to Tommy by Duke. The events lead to a nasty confrontation between the two. The street fight in the end is classic. It's very entertaining.
The poignant scenes with Mickey makes Rocky an even more original and loveable character. They distinguish his character. Those moments in the film brought tears to my eyes.
This story is beautiful and Rocky is still a loveable and memorable character.

The movie has some humor to it too. Uncle Paulie is still a funny guy. One part that made me giggle was when Rocky told Adrian "I can't wait to get you upstairs and violate you like a parking meter".
I mean, how can you not laugh? It's funny.

This story also shows the true meaning of family. What really touched me is the love that Rocky still has for Adrian.

There are some flaws in the movie though. Rocky, Adrian, and Robert have all noticeably aged and Rocky has gone back to his mumbling ways. You got to turn up the volume a bit more to understand what Rocky is saying. Oh well. It's still good.

Btw, don't listen to the other crappy reviews. Go rent or buy this movie.

Rocky V is a total disaster - a train wreck of the highest order. This movie is an embarrassment to the rest of the series.

Oh to have been a fly on the wall during the pitch to a studio executive: "Hey I've got an idea for the next Rocky movie. He loses all his money, goes back to the streets of Philly, and gets into a street fight with Tommy Morrison...A boxing match? Nah, I think we'll skip that."

By the end, Rocky is still broke, Tommy is still the champion, and Rocky has a lawsuit on his hands because he punched the promoter. Oh, I almost forgot! There's a "subplot" involving Rocky's son, who now owns an earring. Wow - what a great storyline!

As sad as it is to say, a Stallone DVD collection of "Spy Kids 3," "Get Carter," and "An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn" would be a marginal improvement over this bomb.

After seeing this movie, I was somewhat surprised that it is commonly referred to as the worst chapter in the "Rocky" saga. In many ways, it is actually the most profound and memorable one. I know director John Avildsen (director of the original "Rocky") was reluctant to retake his position as director, but he really outdid himself in this final chapter. The movie starts with a brief recap of Rocky's fight in the Soviet Union. (The end of "Rocky IV.") As many times before, Rocky enjoys the roaring crowds. However, he learns that this time it came with a horrible price. (Serious brain damage) When Rocky and his crew return home, they encounter the shifty George Washington Duke. (Kind of a fast talking businessman in the field.) He wants Rocky to accept a challenge from a younger boxer named Union Caine. But Rocky's injuries will not allow him to do so. A previous reviewer put it quite well when he said that: "Throughout the series, we have all heard that Rocky needs to stop fighting before. But somehow, (probably through John Avildsen's directing), we get the impression that this time, it's the real thing." I grant that it is outside plausibility how all of a sudden Rocky and his family have lost their fortune. (One annoying flaw) Well moving on, Director John Avildsen created a beautiful scene when Rocky reopens the gym and has the flashback with Mickey. (This will eventually distinguish Rocky's character.) Soon afterwards, Rocky and Tommy Gun meet. Their relationship starts nice enough, though Tommy does reveal a character flaw. (Learning to fight by punching his drunk father.) Rocky decides to train Tommy to fight in his place. Rocky now finds himself in Mickey's position. (Good.) It isn't long before Rocky pushes Tommy Gun almost to the top. This is when things start to go bad. Duke realizes that if he can't get Rocky to fight, he can probably get Rocky's new student to fight. After a not so long 'eventually,' Tommy forgets about loyalty and starts to think more of the fame and rewards. It is tempting for us to despise Tommy for this. However, we are probably hypocrites if we do. At one or more points in our lives, we were most certainly guilty of this. Despite defeating the current champion, Tommy Gun realizes that many people dislike him for abandoning Rocky. So now, Tommy decides that taking down his mentor and friend is the way to get the reputation and fame that he wants so much. (Once we start gaining, we never have enough. Another sad human flaw.) Again, we may be repulsed by this shameful act, but we probably all have 'bitten the hand that fed us' for our own selfish purposes. This leads to a bitter confrontation between Tommy Gun and the mentor that was so kind to him. In all honesty, this was really an ideal concluding chapter. Rather than just seeing Rocky in the ring AGAIN, we see him reflect moral values despite his brain damage. (Nice paradox) We also get to see him train someone; And where the final confrontation is concerned, rather than Rocky fighting an opponent we just want him to beat, there is the tragic old mentor vs the young student who showed promise. How different is this from the Obi Wan Kenobi vs Anakin scenario? (One might actually wonder if the people who made "Star Wars III" took a look at this movie.) And if we are a little sad that this fight had to take place, we should be. It's a sad reality that the protege or side kick often starts loyal and dedicated, but eventually he wants more for himself, and will eventually care more about his own advancement and be willing to betray his trainer if need be. THANK YOU JOHN AVILDSEN FOR RETURNING TO FINISH THE SERIES!

Yes compared the others in the series this movie falls short, however, that doesn't make it a horrible movie. It is a decent Drama especially compared to a lot of recent movies. Rocky is still a likable character. Tommy Morrison (Tommy 'Machine' Gunn) and Richard Gant (Duke) play their roles as bad guys well.
Some of the problems of the movie include the music soundtrack which has not aged very well. Old school rap really doesn't fit into a Rocky movie. The plot is also very predictable.

If you have not seen this movie in a while, I recommend watching it again with an open mind. It was years since I saw it last and I liked it a lot better now. Best quote from the movie: "Adrian, I can't wait to get you upstairs and violate you like a parking meter." -Rocky
Its hard not to laugh at a line like that.

5 years after the dreadful but watchable Rocky IV, Stallone returned to the big screen but not the ring for another Rocky sequel.

In Rocky V, Rocky returns from the brutal fight with Ivan Drago to discover that he's being diagnosed with brain damage. With the now annoying nagging of Adrian, Rocky decides to retire once and for all. To make matters worse for the poor old slugger, he goes bankrupt after his accountant runs off with his fortunes.

Rocky returns to the streets of Philly where he takes over Mickey's old gym. There he meets a young Oklahoma fighter named Tommy Gunn. Rocky sees a conviction in the kid and decides to take him into his home and train him to become the next champ.

Cut to the chase, a loud mouthed boxing promoter named Duke, played by Richard Gant, who is a carbon copy of Don king but without the hairdo, lures young Tommy with cash and fortune and a chance at the title, something he failed to do with the stubborn and honest Rocky. Duke has plans however, and that is to bring Rocky back into the ring and the way to do that is to turn his protege against him for a fight of a lifetime (Old lion against Young lion).

The movie focuses on the corruption of the boxing commission, and Rocky's family problems: Rocky's preoccupation with Tommy leaves his son Rocky Jr, played by Stallone's real life son Sage, having to learn how to cope with street life alone, causing a near family breakup.

The movie succeeds in bringing back the grit and realism of the original Rocky thanks to the return of John G. Avildsen to the director's seat, something that Stallone disregarded in Rocky IV.

Recommended

B-

This film is bashed mercilously, all while the sell out that is number IV is celebrated?

Actually, while I still consider this movie superior to the forth, it is admittedly inferior to the first three. It should actually be rated "3 1/2 stars."

What makes this movie better than number 4?

The storyline is better thought out. It again focuses on psychological themes. Balboa is brain damaged and ripped off by his accountant. Rocky and his family now have to start over in the same neighborhood he originally escaped. Being well into his 40s (or near 50?), the boxer is too old and too injured to fight. He can train fighters, however, and he reopens Mickey's gym and makes a go of it.

An ambitious brawler named "Tommy Gunn" wants a manager, and Rocky sees a potential for success once again.

Unfortunately, Rocky starts to neglect his family. His poor son is being bullied, and needs to "toughen up" on his own. His Dad is completely preoccupied with Tommy.

Tommy is actually a "Judas," and sells out to a corrupt promoter that's a crude characterature of Don King.

Rocky's Judas needs to "escape Rocky's shadow," and is convinced by the promoter to defeat his old mentor in the ring. Instead of falling into the trap, Rocky is provocated into brawling with Tommy in the street.

Again, Balboa finds his self respect ... and lives happily ever after with his family.

Why is this movie WEAKER than the first three?

The tacky "rap music," complete with the overused chant "go for it!"

The manic, shaking, abrupt editing style of the fighting.... designed to make it "more dramatic." It just becomes annoying.

The same weakness Rocky 4 had... this aging fighter would have little chance against the young and powerful brute. But they make up for this discrepancy in part by having the old man utilize "street fighting" moves. And instead of the brain damaged man getting slugged in the head repeatedly, it would had been more logical to have Rocky move, dodge and defend better... ala "Rocky 3."

This movie recaptures some of the heart that made Rocky a franchise, but it admittedly fails to live up to the first three.

Jeff Messenger, author of the novel "The Shroud of Torrington."

Okay, where to start... In my Rocky collection (I didn't bother to buy the 5-disc set) I have 1 (of course) 4 and...that's it. Anyone who says that the first Rocky was inferior to any of its sequels is cracked. You can't touch it. In part 1, Stallone WAS Rocky. In the sequels, Rocky was just a character he played, each one being worse as they progressed. Rocky in the original movie was a very charming character in his own "dumb" way, even when he was breaking guys' thumbs. You were able to sympathize with him and his struggles. A truly genuine performance by Stallone. In part 2, Stallone tries to re-capture this character but comes up short. He does more "acting" than "being". The movie also moves way to quickly as it is jam-packed with too much story. Part 3. C'mon Stallone. Mickey should've died in part 2 and be out of his misery by this point. I bought 4, not because of its "superior" acting, (scoff) or its believeability, (ha!) but because of the Rocky sequels I think it's the only one that holds my attention... Only if I skip through the boring parts. Okay, part 5. First, did'ja ever notice as the Rocky's progressed, Rocky got a little less "dumb"? He must have been cured buy money, because now that he has returned to being broke, all of a sudden he's dumb again. Maybe it's the brain damage, maybe it's an attempt to re-capture his character. Either way it doesn't work. Of the few things I did like was Rocky's conversation with Mickey, which I found particularly touching. This should have been his only appearance. The one at the end was embarassing. Tommy Gunn. Annoying. 'Nuff said. "The Duke", just as bad. Rocky's son, (in real life as well) should be given an Oscar for the movie's only believeable character, and then be shot for being a little ****. No wait, Talia Shire does a good job, but should have shot herself for even thinking of being in this movie. I guess it was either that or McDonalds. Would you like fries with that? And now the rumors are true...Rocky 6. Stallone, you're in my cross hairs.

First off I am a huge fan of the Rocky series but cannot find any reason to like this movie despite several attempts at watching it. The basic story is that while Rocky is away, bringing down communism, his corrupt accountant has squandered all of Rocky's fortune. He was able to do this because Paully convinced Rocky to sign a power of attorney.

Rocky is unable to continue fighting because he has developed brain trauma. He is also unable to do commercials because people have been looking into his past affiliation with low level mob figures.

Rocky returns to the Mickey's Gym which is now owned in his son's name. There a young hopeful boxer, Tommy Gunn, gets Rocky to be his manager. Rocky starts devoting his energies to train Tommy and also continue fighting vicariously through him. During all this Rocky has been neglecting his own son and is being taunted by a shameless promoter known as the Duke (striking resemblance to Don King).

It all plays out in the end with Rocky fighting his new protege and regaining the love and trust of his son.

This wouldn't have been too bad of a storyline but it has way too many holes. How long was Rocky in Russia for? His son ages around 10 years while he is gone. I would feel a little distant from my dad too. Rocky was always a bit punchy but when would he have ever listened to Paully for financial advice. He most certainly would have deferred to Adrian on this. Secondly the accountant would have needed Adrian's signature on everything. Adrian would have certainly started a college fund and trust for her son that no power of attorney would have been able to touch. Americans love Rocky and would have rallied around him no matter his past. Even Mike Tyson still draws interest and Rocky is a saint compared to him.
How can Rocky lose his house to back taxes? He would have easily been able to raise the funds from selling the gym and Paully's house. Why is every good fighter white and every bad fighter black? Certainly there would have been considerable residuals from previous marketing campaigns Rocky did, remember all the merchandise and commercials from Rocky III?

This movie just does not work for me. It was reported that Rocky II was written in 30 hours. I think this was written in 30 minutes. I had the entire Rocky set given to me as a gift. I sold this copy at the used movie store, still sealed, for $2 and felt I was more than fairly treated.

I just bought the "Rocky-box-edition" (including all the five movies) and to be honest I didn't expect much. I bought it first of all because of the masterpiece of the first movie, a moving and oscar-worthy performance of the entire cast. The chemistry is to be touched between the actors, and "Rocky" has to be one of the best movies of the 70's. It's not mindless action, it's far more drama than it is action -and it has a fantastic story to tell. It contains more documentary than it dwells on sentimentality, and still the character-development is so overwhelming. Rocky Balboa, the boxer with a heart of gold -and he's a character you'd have a heart of stone not to like. I'm lost for words here, but let's put it this way; This movie (including its' five followers, perhaps with Rocky 4 as an exception..?) is unlike anything else Sylvester Stallone has ever done. And I think it's sad the way Stallone has wasted his talent on shallow-action-movies in the later years of his carrier. "Rocky" is the main proof of that Stallone is far more than muscles, this is a movie to take serious, and yes, it's deep.

Back to this final Rocky (so far). It was something moral and far overdone about Rock 4, however entertaining it somehow crossed the line where the previous movies had managed to be "the real thing". As in realistic to some level. And they perfectly matched eachother. Rocky 4 was Van Damme-material, which could have been ok if it hadn't been for that it didn't fit in anywhere in the Rocky-collection. Now that it's made I'm glad it's added to the box, but it's the weakest of the five. It doesn't contain the same inspirating storytelling, and unlike the others (including the fifth) it's in the typicall "sequel"-category. However entertaining it may be as mentioned. It contains good music as a plus.

Well, let's try again; With the same director of Rocky (the first) behind the wheels the spirit is back. Rocky is back! You might as well've skipped the fourth. It again gives a perspective of the chynical sports-business, and the subject is betrayal. And also the bound of family, and the things that really matters in life. All amazingly done, and the saga is somehow completed -without a final match in the ring which could have been too silly. The balance between reality and entertainment is back, and the movie is a joy to watch.

Incredible for a number five!

(Correction; Rocky 3 is the weakest of the five, I hadn't seen it before I wrote this review a couple of days ago, and now that it's done - I must say I didn't think it could be worse than Rocky 4, but I am sorry to say it is. Skip 3 and 4 and you have an impressive triology, I'm still glad I bought the box set.)