A few years after the events of the second film; Rocky goes on a winning streak which makes him a famous and rich boxing Champion. However, a new boxer named Clubber Lang (Mr.T) who has made it through the ranks as number 1, wants to defeat Rocky and become the new Champion. Rocky has, however, lost the fight and his trainer Mickey has died of a heart attack after the fight. Rocky now in complete sadness, his former opponent Apollo Creed decides to help train him for a rematch against Clubber Lang.
Sylvester Stallone as Rocky is just as great as he was in the previous films. He's likable; you feel his emotions; he has great chemistry with the characters; he just is the character and you're always rooting for him throughout the film. I like that in the first half of the film, while he still spends time with his friends and family, fame has certainly gotten to his head. When you see that montage of him training in a fancy looking Gym filled with Rocky merchandise and him posing for the cameras as he's training, while we cut to Clubber Lang training hard a few times; it truly shows how much fame as gotten into our heroes head. The second half of the film is Rocky all broken down; sad; and scared which Stallone really pulls off well, especially after seeing the events of what happened during his fight with Clubber Lang. By the way, remember how big of a plot point his bad eye was in the second film? It's completely forgotten and it's only hinted at the beginning with him and Paulie that his bad eye got surgery. Yeah, that's something you don't briefly mention in one sentence since it was a major issue for Rocky to go back into fighting in the last movie. Oh, and one other important thing I should mention is this is the first time we're ever introduced to the famous Rocky Statue which still stands today, just not in the same spot.
The whole supporting cast from the previous film, well, except for one, are back at reprising their roles just as great as they did in the last two films. Talia Shire as Rocky's wife Adrian, while she and Rocky doesn't have too many scenes together; the relationship is still there. That speech she gives Rocky when he gives up on training is so good and so powerfully acted that it shows that Adrian has indeed been fully developed from a shy person; to a worried woman; to a complete supporter for our main hero. Burt Young as Paulie, I'm glad he shows up more in this film than he did in the previous film. He's just as complex as he was in the last two films and Burt Young pulls it off just as great as he did before. He even gets a few funny moments. With that said, there are a few things that bother me. Why isn't he working for Gazzo anymore, it's never ever explained and just for the record, Joe Spinell doesn't return as Gazzo for the rest of the series. I also find it a bit disturbing that Paulie makes some harsh comments about the black people in the Gym where Apollo trains Rocky. Still with those flaws aside, Paulie is still that character you both love and hate. Burgess Meredith as Mickey is just as amazing as he was in the last two films and watching him as this great character really does make it one of his best performances of his career. Every scene he's in, in any of the Rocky films to have Mickey in, are all flat out perfect. The scene where Mickey dies in front of Rocky while the others cry is so sad that for me this is the saddest moment in the whole franchise. Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed is not only fantastic in the role, but seeing him and Rocky become buddies is overwhelming epic and enjoyable. It's just beyond awesome seeing the former opponent training our hero. Of course Apollo does ask for a favor which is never revealed until the end and without giving it away, the idea was awesome and does make a good closer to the film, but we don't ever see him perform the favor which is a giant let down. Tony Burton as Apollo's trainer also briefly makes a few appearances in this film, and he does a good job during the little screen-time he's given.
Now for Rocky's opponent played by Mr.T. It's important to know that this is not only Mr. T's film debut, but is also the first time we're ever introduced to this character actor. Yeah, this is before he was an "A Team" member. Before this film, he was just an extra for the film "The Blues Brothers" and served as a bodyguard. This is also thee first time we ever hear him say his famous line "I Pity The Fool". Mr.T is fantastic as this animalish and blood thirsty opponent. While Apollo was a tough opponent, he was still likable; Mr.T however, is flat out mean and always rough, tough and angry with no likability to his character at all. He not only defeats Balboa but he's always making harsh comments that make Apollo's harsh comments in the last film sound childish; he's always beating people and our hero with no restraint or hesitation; he hits on Adrian which pisses Rocky off; and on top of it he's the one responsible for killing Mickey by pushing him aside which gives him a heart attack. This guy is so mean, that you can't wait for Rocky to cream this guy. Mr.T is great as this character and why he was nominated for a Razzie is beyond me.
The music in the film is just as awesome as the previous films. Granted, it's not played for the most part of the film, it's mostly played during the sad moments and it does indeed carry out the sadness of those scenes. Of course, while you have the song "Gonna Fly Now" for the big Training montage, the song that steals the movie and not only introduced this classic song, but also gave the film an Oscar Nomination for Best Song is "Eye Of The Tiger" by Survivor. It's so awesome and so epic that actually I wish this song was also played for Rocky's big Training Montage than his traditional theme song. It's one of the greatest rock songs to have ever been made and it fits the Rocky film perfectly. The Montages in the film are just as great and well shot and edited as the previous films. You have the montage of Rocky not training hard while Clubber Lang is training his ass off; you have the scenes of Rocky failing at his training; and of course you have the big Training montage of Apollo training Rocky as the song "Gonna Fly Now" plays which is again really epic. While the famous running on the beach done in slow motion is cool; is it me or does this look like a gay version of Baywatch, especially that last image of them hugging? For me, the best montage in the whole entire movie is the opening montage with "Eye Of The Tiger" playing as we see Rocky on winning streak, getting famous and seeing Clubber Lang rise through the ranks. It really pulls you into the film and gets you hyped up, and with the first classic training montage from the first Rocky film aside, this is my all time favorite montage in any Rocky film.
The film has three fights and the first one is where all the goofiness in the franchise started. The first fight is Rocky versing a Wrestler named Thunder Lips played by Hulk Hogan in a charity event. What sense does that make, Boxer against Wrestler, those are two completely different sports. It's like seeing something as crazy as runner against swimmer or Soccer player against Football player; it makes little to no sense. As you may have guessed this whole entire fight sequence is not only goofy, but it's completely pointless to the whole entire film. You can cut it out and the film wouldn't make much of a difference. But with that said, I'd be lying if I said that it wasn't entertaining. Yeah, it's dumb and pointless, but at the same time it is entertaining, cool and loads of fun. I just love how it goes from Rocky getting pulverized; to having a huge riot; to Paulie jumping into the fight; to having Rocky take off his gloves to attack this guy. Again goofy and pointless, but it's solid entertainment.
Then we have the last two fights of Rocky versing Clubber Lang. The first fight is harshly depressing and sad and is indeed the first time we actually see Rocky go down in shame. The second fight holds you on the edge of your seat like the last final fights in the previous two films. You again really want to see Rocky get this guy. The fights are both choreographed great and are better than the fight in the 2nd film (Still an awesome fight though). The sound effects, sound brutal; the edits are perfect; the slow motion is cool, but not as cool as the slow motion in the 2nd film; the use of blood is realistic; and the energy and small talk from both boxers makes this fight more personal than any other fight in the previous films. This is also the first time, we ever see a fight from beginning to end without any montages in the Rocky series, which I think is what makes all the fights in this movie so awesome.
While the film has some flaws, let downs and started out the silliness of the franchise, it's still an awesome sequel! Sylvester Stallone is perfect for his role as well as doing a great job at the writing (For the most part) and directing for the movie; the supporting cast and characters are all wonderful; Mr.T in his first starring role makes a great villain for the film and is personally my favorite out of all opponents in the franchise; the montages are cool; the fight scenes are awesome; the music's kicksass; and the whole film was entertaining from beginning to end. Not as good as the first two, but it's still awesome.
RATING 4/5
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