Rocky IV Review

MPAA Rating: PG
Released: 1985

Ten minutes into Rocky IV you can clearly see this was a product of the Reagan era, for it's unabashedly patriotic as Rocky Balboa is pitted against a merciless Soviet boxer that has the strength of a sledgehammer and the physique of a brick wall. When the Soviets challenge Apollo Creed in the United States, the Russian literally destroys him in the ring. Now it's up to Rocky to travel to the U.S.S.R. and beat the Red-menace on his own turf to avenge the death of his long-time friend.

Rocky IV was a film Americans ate up during the 80's, a time when we were in the midst of the Cold War with the Soviets and Reagan successfully instilled a strong sense of national pride. Whether we beat the Russians in real life such as the 1980 Olympics where against all odds we won the hockey gold medal, or the through movies such as Rocky IV, Americans loved to see the righteous underdog beat the communist menace. In this way, Rocky IV was a reflection of the times… a time that has long since passed us by.

For this reason the film is now somewhat dated. Although it was a wonderful and rousing action flick for the times, those who did not grow up in the 80's may not appreciate its ultra-patriotic flair as much as we did, nor will they understand how it felt to live during the Cold War.

Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) agrees to fight an exhibition match on American soil against Russia's newest human weapon, Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren). But Apollo Creed underestimates his opponent, and after a disastrous first round Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) begs his friend to stop the match before he is seriously hurt. Creed does not heed the advice, a mistake that costs him his life as the Russian menace literally murders him in the boxing ring.

Rocky, pained by the loss of his friend as well as his own guilt for not throwing in the towel quickly enough to save his friend's life, accepts a challenge by the Soviets to face their champion on their home turf. This decision creates strife within his family since his wife believes that accepting such a fight would be akin to suicide. Despite her reservations, Rocky travels to the "Evil Empire," where he trains for a fight few think he can win.

Of course there's really little doubt about who will ultimately prevail, and by the time the fight runs its course even the once hostile Russian audience has come to respect Rocky. We also find out that Drago isn't quite as evil as he was portrayed, for he finally rejects the communist dictators that controlled him and decides to fight not for his government, but for himself. Realistic? Perhaps not. Then again, it was never meant to be. Its purpose was to offer an enjoyable popcorn movie that also tapped into the American pride, and that's exactly what it did.

Dolph Lundgren didn't need to exhibit much range in his performance as Ivan Drago, but he does a very admirable job playing the terrifyingly powerful Soviet boxer. Brigitte Nielsen rises to the challenge of playing Ludmilla, Drago's cold-blooded wife. Even the godfather of soul, James Brown, has a cameo in this movie where he sings… you guessed it… Living in America!

This was the last of the great Rocky movies (Rocky V is barely worth mention), but how sweet it was. Rocky IV is an inspiring depiction of life in the 80's, where Americans were not ashamed of their country or of being labeled as patriotic. Although somewhat dated, I still recommend Rocky IV for any movie fan.

Movie rating: 8 stars

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