Is Rocky V Really the Worst Rocky Movie? A Surprising Rewatch Perspective

by

If you’re a follower of the Rocky series, it goes without saying that most folks wouldn’t hesitate to label Rocky V as the absolute worst Rocky film in existence!

To be honest, when we arranged the Rocky movies, we placed Rocky V at the very bottom, and most people wouldn’t have been shocked by that decision. It’s generally agreed that Rocky V is the weakest film in the series.

It turns out that one of my coworkers (since I’m a teacher aside from writing for this platform) has been enjoying the Rocky films recently, and he particularly appreciated Rocky V. This took me by surprise: “Rocky V?” I exclaimed. “But isn’t that the weakest one?” However, he insisted it wasn’t as poor as I thought. Being someone who often favors revisiting things, I decided to give it another watch. So, upon rewatching, is Rocky V truly as terrible as I recalled?

No, Actually. In Fact, There Are Things About It That I Genuinely Like

It turns out that on second thought, I found myself pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed “Rocky V” again, contrary to my earlier impressions. In fact, the movie gets off to a powerful start, reminding us of Rocky’s iconic battle against Ivan Drago in “Rocky IV.” What makes this even more compelling is that after this intense sequence, we find Rocky struggling and fearful, as his hands continue to tremble uncontrollably while he talks to Adrian.

Allow me to share my thoughts. I’m a fan of Stallone, yet I’ve never viewed him as a top-tier actor. I appreciate his films, even ones like Judge Dredd, but I seldom think he excels in acting. Nevertheless, there are instances where his talent shines through during his career.

He was fantastic in the original Rocky, and did an outstanding job in Creed, earning nominations for acting awards on both occasions. Additionally, he delivered a powerful performance in the movie First Blood, where his character breaks down crying, expressing his pain from being treated harshly upon returning home from Vietnam and being labeled as a “baby killer.

In the start of “Rocky V”, when Rocky appears fearful about his hands, it’s yet another proof of Sylvester Stallone’s outstanding acting skills. Regrettably, this is the sole scene in the entire movie where he truly shines, but one should be grateful for what they get.

In addition to appreciating Adrian’s character in the movie and her efforts to stop her husband from continuing to fight following the doctors’ warning that it could be fatal, it adds tension and leaves you genuinely concerned for his well-being. Furthermore, the complex father-son relationship between Rocky and his son Sage (who tragically passed away after filming) becomes strained as Rocky forms a bond with Tommy Gunn. George Washington Duke’s portrayal of the Don King character is also noteworthy. So, Rocky V is actually quite an enjoyable movie, wouldn’t you agree? However…

That Said, Is It The Worst Rocky Movie?

As a supporter, I’d rephrase it this way: While I acknowledge that Rocky V isn’t an all-out success, I do appreciate its narrative about Rocky starting from scratch once more. However, the film doesn’t quite hit the mark as some of its promising segments lose their luster by the end, leaving a somewhat unsatisfying whole.

Initially, allow me to express my thoughts on a significant flaw in this movie. The final fight leaves much to be desired and seems illogical! A defining aspect of every Rocky film is the gradual development of the protagonist, who starts off as an underdog but eventually rises, often depicted through a powerful training sequence prior to the climactic event. In most cases, these montages have been exceptional in the series, yet I occasionally find myself questioning if the montage in Rocky III or Rocky IV is superior among them all.

In contrast to the usual formula, Rocky V doesn’t feature a traditional training montage for Rocky himself. Instead, it focuses on Tommy Gunn as he triumphs in one fight after another, making this film more about Gunn than Rocky in many aspects. Furthermore, when Rocky does step into the ring, it’s not the classic boxing arena but rather the streets. This shift could be acceptable, but it undermines the dramatic tension associated with Rocky potentially meeting his end in another fight. To add to the disappointment, Adrian is present during the fight, yet she doesn’t utter her signature plea of “Stop! You’ll kill him!” when Gunn begins dominating Rocky excessively.

It’s not over yet; everything in this film appears to be resolved far too smoothly. The fact that Paulie practically squanders Rocky’s entire wealth seems to be brushed aside without much fuss among them all? Adrian should harbor resentment throughout the movie, but instead, they seem to let it go surprisingly quickly. There’s a growing rift between Rocky and his son Robert as the father favors Tommy over him, yet this issue appears to be resolved in just a few final minutes.

In essence, the entire film feels disappointing. While each Rocky movie has its share of imperfections, none are as glaring as they are in this particular one. Consequently, I honestly believe that Rocky V is the least satisfying installment in the Rocky series, although there’s more to be said…

I Still Somehow Like It Better Than Rocky Balboa

It seems that I’m one of the few who shares this sentiment, but personally, I’ve never been a fan of the sixth Rocky film, Rocky Balboa.

I understand that “Rocky Balboa” is indeed superior in terms of production quality compared to “Rocky V,” however, personally, I find it less captivating. In many aspects, “Rocky Balboa” plays it safer with fewer risk-taking elements. Despite Adrian’s death occurring off-screen by that point, it doesn’t detract from the film’s perceived lack of excitement for me.

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I must admit, Rocky has certainly aged, but he’s never looked more formidable! The thought of him losing to Mason “The Line” Dixon is almost unimaginable. Unlike the harrowing scenarios depicted in V, where characters face the grim possibilities of death or lifelong paralysis, I can only hope that Rocky’s story takes a different turn.

Regarding Dixon, portrayed by actual boxer Antonio Tarver: Unlike Tommy Morrison, another real-life fighter, I found it hard to believe that Tarver could defeat Rocky. Despite the fact that Dixon ultimately wins in the storyline (which aligns with Rocky’s history of losing), it was challenging for me to accept this outcome given Stallone’s impressive physique in the movie “Balboa.” His appearance seemed more muscular than ever before, making it hard for me to imagine him being defeated by Dixon.

Personally, while many find Rocky Balboa appealing, I’d choose to watch Rocky V every time instead. It might seem unusual, but that’s just my preference.

I Also Like Tommy Gunn…As A Concept

Now, I really like Tommy Gunn…as an idea.

Essentially, I’m expressing my appreciation for Rocky serving as a mentor in the Creed films, and I find it intriguing. Moreover, the plot twist where the ring promoter functions as the primary antagonist resonates with me, especially since Gunn is driven to make a wrong choice when George Washington Duke influences him negatively.

However, like this whole movie, the execution is terrible.

In this scenario, it appears that Gunn is overwhelming his opponents. When he criticizes Rocky, the crowd reacts negatively towards him, with Duke even egging Gunn on by stating that Gunn will never match Rocky’s greatness. Later, when Gunn and Rocky have a confrontation outside, many people begin recording it to such an extent that it eventually airs live on television. In simpler terms, Gunn is dominating his opponents, but the crowd turns against him after he insults Rocky. Duke adds fuel to the fire by saying that Gunn will never be as good as Rocky, and when they eventually fight outside, people record it extensively until it’s broadcast live on television.

This type of illogical plot development for Gunn’s character detracts from his overall appeal, and I believe it was a wasted chance since he’s one of Rocky’s more intriguing adversaries. Unfortunately, similar to the movie as a whole, they seemed to have mishandled his portrayal.

In The End, Rocky V Is The Worst Rocky Movie, But I Do Think It Deserves A Rewatch If You Haven’t Seen It In Awhile

So, yeah, Rocky V is the worst Rocky movie, and a lot of it stinks.

Despite my initial skepticism, I believe it’s worth another viewing. Previously, I was convinced it possessed no commendable aspects at all, but upon reconsideration, I recognize some of its strengths.

Additionally, I believe it’s crucial to the series continuity that Stallone didn’t simply ignore the previous installments and start anew with “Balboa.” Instead, he chose to carry on the story, setting it in Philadelphia after the events of the fifth film, as Rocky is now grieving Adrian.

Additionally, we observe the ongoing tension between Rocky and his son, a carryover from the previous film. Interestingly enough, the Paulie character from V, responsible for Rocky’s downfall, appears to have softened somewhat in Balboa.

Essentially, what I’m trying to convey is that, if you’re a fan of this series, then V serves as a crucial link connecting IV and Balboa.

So, watch it again. It’s really not THAT bad. In fact, it’s kind of good!

Read More

2025-07-14 15:12