Rocky 4 (1985) (Movie Review)

     As we lead into the fourth of July, I traditionally find myself watching sports movies. I’m not sure why I’ve mentally bridged the sports genera with Independence Day, they’ve just always felt complimentary of each other. One of my favorites of the sports genera to watch on the Fourth of July is the 1985 sequel “Rocky 4”. While it’s not the best or even my absolute favorite of the “Rocky” franchise, it is undeniably the one I’ve enjoyed re-watching the most. There’s just something about this film that puts me in a good mood, fills me up with adrenaline, and makes me want to celebrate Independence Day. Upon its release in 1985, “Rocky 4” had the weakest critical reception of any film in the franchise up to that point, although it was a smashing hit at the box office, being the third highest grossing film of the year, and still one of the highest grossing in the whole franchise. Despite its mixed reviews, the film has endured overtime as a fan favorite, and in 2021 it was re-edited in a special cut by director and star Sylvester Stallone. As such, the time just felt right to discuss one of my favorite sports sequels.

     Picking-up where “Rocky 3” left-off, our champion lost his personal trainer and mentor Mickey … Yet, despite this loss, Rocky gained a new best friend in the form of his old boxing rivel Apollo Creed. Through his coaching and friendship, Rocky was able to defeat Clubber Lang, the most ruthless opponent the champ had ever faced in the ring. Despite their new formed respect and friendship, Apollo is still eager for a victory of his own in the ring, so that he can prove to himself that he’s not just a washed-up has-been. 

Opportunity comes knocking when a young new Russian fighter named Ivan Drago steps into the spot lot, and proclaimed by his sponsor to be an unstoppable fighting machine … “What ever he hits … he Destroys!”. Apollo eagerly wants to put this new-comer in his place, although Rocky is concerned that his friend is really fighting himself. The match-up between the two turns into a disaster, as Apollo dies in the ring fighting Drago, and once again Rocky has to face the loose of a close friend. Now, in order to ease the pain, Rocky is determined to finish the fight his friend started, and defeat Drago in the ring. Of course, this is what Drago wanted the whole time, to get the champion to face him on his turf. Thus, Rocky fly’s off to Russia, builds himself-up stronger then ever before, all while his opponent eagerly builds himself for the grudge match to top them all.    

    While the first “Rocky” is a classic for all-time, and can be applied to any decade, “Rocky 4” is specifically a classic of the 80’s, and for both better and worse is built on the clichés and tropes of the decade. Knowing it can’t replicate the same human drama of the first, this film goes for straightforward summer movie entertainment, with two times the action, and a killer soundtrack to boot. Right from the start, the movie set’s it’s tone perfectly with a pair of boxing gloves crashing into one another, and exploding! 

There’s also a robot house maid, with a design that looks like it came from a B-list Sci-Fi movie of the 50’s. The narrative is also safe and predictable, yet a very entertaining formula if you go in with the mind-set of this being more like a comic book or martial arts story … in that it’s all about avenging the fallen hero. For me, this works in the films favor, and makes this sequel stand apart with its own distinct charms and entertainment value. Even with its straight forward revenge narrative, the characters never loose an ounce of their individual strengths, appeals, and we still cheer for them. Sylvester Stallone still shines in his signature role of Rocky, as he never once seems motivated by anger, and more a sense of passion to finish the match his friend started. Rocky’s connection with Apollo is unmistakably the heart of the film, and for me, it’s just strong enough to compliment the films overall fun factor.  

     Another thing working in this films favor is Dolph Lundgren as the villain Ivan Drago, who’s personally my favorite of all Rocky’s appoints. While Apollo had the more layered arc, and Clubber Lang was arguably more iconic, Ivan Drago for me just has this presence that excited and thrilled me more then any of the previous villains. 

Despite being a very comic-bookish villain, with in-human strength, he also isn’t a loud mouth, and is more quietly reserved, which I’ve always preferred. Dolph Lundgren’s performance is also perfect, as he lets out just the right emotions and reactions when needed, giving the character a personality, despite being so quiet. “If he dies … he dies!” I feel his performance is best highlighted just after beating Apollo in the ring, as Drago just shoots this one look at Rocky, and you can tell he’s relishing this victory as his means to fight the undefeated champion. A common point of criticism was that Dragos wife Ludmilla, played by Brigitte Nielsen did most of the speaking for our lead villain. At the time, the actress was engaged to Sylvester Stallone, but they broke-up two years later in 1987. Taking note of the critics, Stallone basically removed Brigitte Nielsen’s character from the 2021 re-edit of “Rocky 4”, giving the villain more time to speak for himself, which I think was for the better.

     Of course, this movie was released in 1985, just as the Cold War was coming to a close, and there’s a number of themes relevant to the time throughout the film. Some may be turned off by the film’s depiction of Russians as the straight-faced antagonists against the patriotic underdog, but the film is self-aware of its own propaganda, and makes it a point in the story. Thematically, this film is all about making changes, how former enemies can become close friends, and how individuals can make an impact on masses. We see this when Drago wins over the American crowd during his fight with Apollo, and as contrast, during the finale we see a stadium full of Russians go from booing Rocky to cheering him on. Rocky also closes the film giving an impassioned speech to ease the tension between America and the Soviet Union. Maybe a little corny, but the intentions are pure, and it again lends to the films patriotic overtone that makes it appealing to view around Independence Day.

     Visually, this film gets me in the mood for the Fourth of July, more so than any other film in the series, despite the ending being set on Christmas. The main selling image of the film is Rocky wrapped in the American Flag, which is also the big closing shot of the film, and it’s Apollo Creeds patriotic ego that sets the whole narrative in motion. The character was always driven by a sense of patriotic pride, but this time he goes full on propaganda with his red, white and blue image. When he points to Drago in the ring and says "I Want You!", he dose so in the same gestor as Uncle Sam, and is obviously also waring the same attire. He even opens his match with a big musical number performed by James Brown called “Living in America”. It makes for another goofy, yet very memorable highlight in the film. Whenever the Fourth of July comes around, I always want to watch this musical number. Also, while Rocky had previously adorned Apollo’s patriotic boxers in “Rocky 3”, there’s a little more sentimental value for Rocky waring them here, as he’s carrying on the legacy of his fallen comrade. Personally, whenever I think of Rocky, the first image that always comes to mind first his him in the red, white and blue boxers.

   However, the biggest thing I always took away from this movie is its soundtrack, which is personally one of my all-time favorites, especially when I’m working out. The two main breakout songs are John Cafferty’s “Hearts on Fire”, and Survivor’s “Burning Heart”. Of course, Survivors hit song “Eye of the Tyger” also returns, which is always a plus. One of the more underrated songs is “The Sweetest Victory” performed by Touch. Similar to my feelings for “Top Gun”, it’s this energizing music selection that makes this film so appealing, and fun to watch. 

My favorite scene in the whole film is this one montage in which Rocky is taking a long drive, while simultaneously flashing back to memories of the previous films, and it’s all matched to Robert Tepper’s song “No Easy Way Out”. In the 2021 directors cut, all the flashbacks are black and white, which I thought was a great touch. As someone who loves editing video’s, I’m always drawn to montage sequences, and how each clip is parried with the different beats of the music. On that note, whenever I think of the cliched training montages that could pass as music videos, I immediately think of “Rocky 4”. Leading up to the big fight are these lengthy training sequences, paired with Vince DiCola’s riveting music score, and its great stuff. We have Rocky chopping a tree with an axe, and each cut is in sink with the music beats. The montage also builds to an awesome finale, as we cut between Rocky running up a mountain slope, while Drago is pushing his limits on a raised treadmill, and it closes with Rocky on this huge summit, while shouting his opponents name into the distance … it’s so cliché, and I love it all over.   

    The final match between Rocky and Drago makes for a dynamite climax, and is one of my favorite hero and villain match-ups ever. The build-up alone is electrifying, as Drago enters the stadium, set to the Russian anthem, and he says his famous line to Rocky ... “I Must Break You!” The fight takes-up most of the third act, complete with more exciting music montages, slow-motion punch-outs … and it is brutal! While not the most emotionally driven finale of the series, it’s still one of the most thrilling fights. As the battle wages on, Drago form’s a quiet respect for his opponent, and in a great little moment even encourages Rocky to keep giving his all. The 2021 directors cut of the film extends the epilogue a little more, and it does feel a little more satisfying that Rocky honored his fallen friend.

    This version of the film in general puts a little more focus on the friendship between both Rocky and Apollo, as well as gives a little more focus on Drago, which are both welcome. 

If you think “Rocky 4” is a little too much a goofy product of the 80’s, this cut admirably tries to remove the camp elements of the film, and behaves a pinch more seriously, like a real Rocky film. While the music montages are still present, other details like the outlandish robot maid, and the exploding gloves in the intro have been removed completely. It makes for a decent alternative for viewers wanting something closer to the early films, but personally, I still prefer the original-cut for its all-around fun factor. For me, sequels don’t always need to match the quality of the original, sometimes they just need to stand apart with their own different appeals and highlights. “Rocky 4” was one of those sequels that never needed to be the first, and stood on its own two legs as great pop-corn entertainment. Also, for as silly as the film gets, there's still a clear passion and drive behind the film, and you can feel it from everyone. While definitely not the best of the “Rocky” series, it is still the one I’ve watched, and enjoyed the most.

Thanks for reading my review of the 1985 sequel “Rocky 4” … and continue to enjoy the movies you love!