Rocky IV

If he dies he dies because you will lose and I muss break you

With Rocky IV the franchise fully embraces the cheesy action motif and does so brilliantly. When Soviet boxer Ivan Drago comes to America Apollo Creed challenges him to an exhibition match, but when it ends in tragedy Rocky must risk everything to avenge Creed. Dolph Lundgren gives an excellent performance as Drago; making him one on the most iconic villains of the franchise. And the slick, stylized montages (which have become a staple of the series) have never been done better. Watching the montage of Rocky and Drago training (set to “Heart’s On Fire”), it’s hard not to get fired up. Plus, the boxing scenes themselves are outstanding. Rocky verses the Russians was a natural place to take the series in the mid-80s, and Rocky IV stands as a quintessential Cold War ‘80s action film.

There's a lot I want to say about this film, but let me get my first point out there quick... they should be using this film as teaching material in film schools. When this film was first announced as the "ultimate director's cut" I have to admit, I cringed a little; but having seen it, I cannot think of a single other director's cut which has done so much with so little. In spite of the claim of 40 new minutes, the majority of that is of fight sequences and alternate shots, and there's probably only about 15 minutes of new story telling footage available. And yet it feels like a completely different movie, and from my perspective a far superior one.

Regardless of your opinion on the movie, from a technical standpoint it is edited infinitely better than the theatrical cut. It is a masterclass in pacing and ill try to give a couple of examples why. Regardless of your personal preference of cut (theatrical vs directors) and the included/excluded content, what is undeniable is that the directors cut is put together in a far superior manner. The biggest trade-off is that the time spent on fight choreography are reduced, with the time gained given to character interactions between the rounds which contribute directly to the stories being told. And in spite of the fights being a little shorter, they benefit from tighter choreography which allow for both fights to to tell their own mini story. Additionally, the themes in this director's cut are much more accessible (in that they exist as themes and not throwaway lines). [spoiler] They traded the literal robot for a metaphor on the robotic machine of the collective vs the individualism and uniqueness of man; the typical ideas of East vs West play out much more gracefully this way. The metaphorical transition from man into machine and machine into man for the two competitors in their own perspectives during the final fight plays into the theme delightfully. [/spoiler]

Outside of the story itself, one of the biggest criticisms of the theatrical cut was that from the midpoint on it felt like a race to the finish. The film was never allowed to breathe in the second and third acts. I'm happy to say that the restructuring fixes this problem for the most part. A little more time spent in the changing room before the fight, and the extra time between rounds gives the viewer more to chew on than passively watching a fight play out. That said, I wish there was one more scene in the second act somewhere, perhaps between the two training montages or even after them before they go to the arena (although its not really necessary). This director's cut feels cinematic, where the original theatrical cut feels like it was made for TV. This could be a result of the wider aspect ratio of 2.35:1, which is a curious choice considering the first three Rocky movies all make use of a taller 1.85:1 aspect ratio. I don't think it was a necessary change, but the shots are all framed well so it doesn't feel like there is any missing information from the screen.

Personally, I much prefer this less goofy director's cut. I grew up with the Rocky movies, and loved the goofiness of Rocky IV as a child. Those incapable of growing up and escaping the nostalgia trap will still most likely prefer the theatrical cut. But those who have embraced adulthood and love the first three movies that leaned heavily on the drama and mythological story telling, will be delighted that they finally have a sequel which deserves to stand alongside them. I am so happy for Sylvester Stallone who can finally put this 36 year ghost to rest and enjoy the fruits of his labour, whilst also offering a masterclass to young aspiring film editors in this appropriately named ULTIMATE Director's Cut.

This movie, while in essence cheesy, is iconic and has rightfully become a classic. It is probably the movie that represents best the Cold War and perestroika in a way accessible to all. It also stylises the superiority of the human mind and will over technology (true or not) but the viewer wants to identify with those ideas. Just a classic.

Ironically, _Rocky IV_ proves that the fourth movie in a series can sometimes be the best. It takes the iconic Rocky Balboa to new heights. This film is filled with some intense moments and an emotionally charged storyline. It may have taken the series to its peak, making it a standout in the Rocky saga.

There's a lot I want to say about this film, but let me get my first point out there quick... they should be using this film as teaching material in film schools. When this film was first announced as the "ultimate director's cut" I have to admit, I cringed a little; but having seen it, I cannot think of a single other director's cut which has done so much with so little. In spite of the claim of 40 new minutes, the majority of that is of fight sequences and alternate shots, and there's probably only about 15 minutes of new story telling footage available. And yet it feels like a completely different movie, and from my perspective a far superior one.

Regardless of your opinion on the movie, from a technical standpoint it is edited infinitely better than the theatrical cut. It is a masterclass in pacing and ill try to give a couple of examples why. Regardless of your personal preference of cut (theatrical vs directors) and the included/excluded content, what is undeniable is that the directors cut is put together in a far superior manner. The biggest trade-off is that the time spent on fight choreography are reduced, with the time gained given to character interactions between the rounds which contribute directly to the stories being told. And in spite of the fights being a little shorter, they benefit from tighter choreography which allow for both fights to to tell their own mini story. Additionally, the themes in this director's cut are much more accessible (in that they exist as themes and not throwaway lines). [spoiler] They traded the literal robot for a metaphor on the robotic machine of the collective vs the individualism and uniqueness of man; the typical ideas of East vs West play out much more gracefully this way. The metaphorical transition from man into machine and machine into man for the two competitors in their own perspectives during the final fight plays into the theme delightfully. [/spoiler]

Outside of the story itself, one of the biggest criticisms of the theatrical cut was that from the midpoint on it felt like a race to the finish. The film was never allowed to breathe in the second and third acts. I'm happy to say that the restructuring fixes this problem for the most part. A little more time spent in the changing room before the fight, and the extra time between rounds gives the viewer more to chew on than passively watching a fight play out. That said, I wish there was one more scene in the second act somewhere, perhaps between the two training montages or even after them before they go to the arena (although its not really necessary). This director's cut feels cinematic, where the original theatrical cut feels like it was made for TV. This could be a result of the wider aspect ratio of 2.35:1, which is a curious choice considering the first three Rocky movies all make use of a taller 1.85:1 aspect ratio. I don't think it was a necessary change, but the shots are all framed well so it doesn't feel like there is any missing information from the screen.

Personally, I much prefer this less goofy director's cut. I grew up with the Rocky movies, and loved the goofiness of Rocky IV as a child. Those incapable of growing up and escaping the nostalgia trap will still most likely prefer the theatrical cut. But those who have embraced adulthood and love the first three movies that leaned heavily on the drama and mythological story telling, will be delighted that they finally have a sequel which deserves to stand alongside them. I am so happy for Sylvester Stallone who can finally put this 36 year ghost to rest and enjoy the fruits of his labour, whilst also offering a masterclass to young aspiring film editors in this appropriately named ULTIMATE Director's Cut.

Following up with what made III succeed, IV gets even more extreme with the villain and the corresponding stakes. While the plot is once again a step back from what the original achieved, this might be the most rewatchable of any of the Rocky films! Highly enjoyable and memorable!

Rating: 3.5/5 - 8/10 - Would Recommend

This version is infinitely better than the theatrical cut, and I'm pretty surprised. This is almost a new film. We get to see more of Drago's point of view, which is a huge plus. Fewer montage scenes, but the good ones are kept in. The film transfer is *incredible*. Right before the big fight at the end, on the 4k transfer you can see every single bead of sweat on Drago's face.

Most of the time when I see a director's cut you get one or two extended scenes that have little consequence and don't change the flow of the film at all, and/or that new footage looks like it was pulled out of the bottom of a dungeon so the quality is horrible. None of that is true with this cut. I urge any fan of the Rocky franchise to watch this. It's so damn good.

Paulie’s robot is cut out which is a good thing but that is about the only humor the movie had, if you think about it. What’s left is pure adrenaline and no nonsense.

Oh Rocky IV, the worst of the Rocky films in some ways. But also the most Rocky in others. Also, the film that is pretty much all montage. I mean, how many montages can one film take? Rocky IV certainly pushes the envelope there.

It is a bad film. I don’t think I could argue otherwise.

But, then again, Rocky. So I gotta love it, at least a little.