Rocky IV
Directed by Sylvester StalloneRocky Balboa accompanies his friend Apollo Creed to the ring in a boxing match against a Russian Boxer named Ivan Drago. Drago is too strong for Creed, and unfortunately kills him in his match. Balboa blames himself for Creed's death and is determined to defeat Drago in a boxing match. He gains the help of Creed's former manager, Duke and travels to U.S.S.R. to take on Drago.
Rocky IV Ratings & Reviews
- Riggs_FamJuly 21, 2025Best Rocky Movie hands down!
- ርልዪረJanuary 26, 2025My ultimate favorite Rocky movie. I like how it relates to what happened with the United State and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. I liked the show that James Brown did with Apollo Creed with having an American likeness before the exhibition with Ivan Drago. I like the two main characters training in different styles in Russia. I like how Rocky goes up the mountain and shouts Drago three times and Drago's stare at Rocky with a dead Apollo Creed in his hands which was a sign telling Rocky, "You're next." It's another great motivational movie especially after Rocky defeats Drago with the speech he gave. This movie and Rocky 2 are my top 2 favorites because he wins both fights with a speech at the end of the fights. If the movie had Apollo Creed cut Drago by his right eye in Round 1 before Drago would throw his first punch would have been incredible to see and the two trading blows at the end of the first round and at the beginning of the second round then Drago dominating Apollo due to the character of Apollo Creed as this cocky fighter. It would have been cool if Rocky threw the first few punches in Round 1 and doing what he did in Rocky 1 which was dodging a punch from Apollo then giving him an uppercut making him fall down. Imagine if Rocky did the same thing to Ivan Drago, but not cutting him yet. I like how he managed to cut his antagonist in Round 2 then the wrestling scene at the end of that round. The Rocky movies definitely represent inspiration and motivation in their own unique ways, but the message is to keep rolling with the punches and not give up or feel defeated. Overall, I thought the film was great and my favorite round was the final round of the Rocky & Drago fight.
- Jacob O’NealJuly 7, 2025From my Joe Bob Briggs collection of old MonsterVision/Hollywood Saturday Night. Rocky IV, the most patriotic propaganda film of the 80’s. I am a big fan of the Rocky franchise, but I am not afraid to say when Stallone makes a misstep. And he did here. It’s still a fun movie with some good emotional beats, but it gets lost in the spectacle of the 80’s with flashy song and dance numbers by James Brown, a robot sidekick for Paulie, too little to do for Adrian and lots of US vs Russia propaganda. I might be in the minority here, but this movie is lower on the scale than part III for me. I’ll explain my reasoning. First, I was caught up as a child in the Cold War propaganda machine of Red Dawn, Iron Eagle and Rocky IV. I was a red blooded American boy in the era of suspecting my neighbors were Russian spies (I really did think they were communicating with Russian satellites via Morse code from their porch light..but I digress). As I got older, I came to realize that there was less substance and less at stake for Rocky in this. He was only really there as a stand in for America. I do have a better appreciation for this movie after seeing the new cut Stallone did a few years ago around the same as Creed II came out and continued the Drago story. Those two pieces made the characterizations and events of IV better in my view. The original cut, which is the one I am reviewing has in some ways become better to me while the new cut improves upon it. This movie was uneven and nothing but a tool to unite the country against a common enemy. And a few years later that enemy tore down the wall in Germany and communism collapsed. Some, Stallone included, like to think this film played a small part in uniting our peoples. Maybe it did. Who’s to say? It’s not a terrible movie, but look for the Rocky Vs Drago cut. It’s shorter, there’s less robots and more heart. Then watch Creed II to fill in the characters more. If you see the Joe Bob episode of this you’ll be treated to some bits and jabs at Stallone’s directing. He also talked about Dolph Lundgren being an athlete, MENSA member, bodyguard and fiancé to Grace Jones before being in this movie. But that’s not weighted in my review’s ratings, FYI.
- wf625June 30, 2025This was an amazing movie. I think it should’ve been the last one of the Rocky trilogy, but besides that I love the story and I love the characters. You should Watch it
- Jeffrey TennantJune 9, 2025It’s so corny I love it so much.
- Tommy WoernerJune 8, 2025This is the best Rocky movie
- mscalvo_08March 24, 2025I love Rocky
