Rocky Anthology (Rocky / Rocky II / Rocky III / Rocky IV / Rocky V)
by Sylvester Stallone, John G. Avildsen
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Actor: Burgess Meredith, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Sylvester Stallone, Talia ShireDirector: John G. Avildsen, Sylvester Stallone
Brand: Rocky
Writer: Sylvester Stallone
Producer: Arthur Chobanian
Producer: Gene Kirkwood
Producer: Herb Nanas
Producer: Irwin Winkler
Producer: James D. Brubaker
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: Box set, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 541 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-12-05
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product features:
- Rocky Anthology 5 No Scratch Dvds Box Set Like New
DVD Reviews of Rocky Anthology (Rocky / Rocky II / Rocky III / Rocky IV / Rocky V)
DVD Review: This anthology is not for those who love "Rocky" films, but for those who like them
Summary: 4 Stars
I picked up the "Rocky Anthology" when it was on super-sale because getting five movies, including an Oscar winner for Best Picture, for under $20 is a pretty good deal. My assumption was that they were pushing this anthology to make room for the updated one that will include the sixth and "absolutely" last final movie. Yes, I understand that subtle psychological pressures are at play so that one day I will end up getting "Rocky Balboa" as well, thereby completing my collection, but I am okay with that because I liked the new ending to the saga a lot more than the old ending.
Ironically, this "Rocky Anthology" is not for the die hard fans of the series, because in terms of DVD extras all you really get with each film is the trailer. So this collection is more suited for those who like Rocky rather than those who love him. I am a bit in the middle because I still love the original, which is the least polished of the series but still the best of the bunch and one day I will at least check out the "Rocky" (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) because that is the one that deserves the all-out treatment. To some extent the sequels have taken some of the luster off of the original: if you message is that you can win without winning, then the rest of the series says, "Yo, but winning by winning ain't bad neither." Anyhow, here is my card on the five films:
"Rocky" (1976) is the story of a punk club fighter who gets a chance to fight for the heavyweight championship. Sylvester Stallone became the third person ever to be nominated for writing and acting Academy Awards in the same year (Charlie Chaplin for "The Great Dictator" and Orson Welles for "Citizen Kane" were the first two; Welles also got a directing nod and the following year Woody Allen would do the trifecta for "Annie Hall"). Stallone lost to Paddy Chayefsky and Peter Finch, both of "Network," but "Rocky" scored the big upset and took home the Best Picture Oscar. Why is this film the best? Let the man speak for himself: "Nobody's ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood." The supporting cast earned three Oscar nominations and getting Bill Conti to do the music was the final masterstroke. My only complaint with this movie is Apollo Creed is out on his feet before the bell rings and the ref should have called the fight (5.0 Stars).
"Rocky II" (1979) proved there was going to be a rematch after all. I say this in the theater, first show on opening day, and we were all screaming during the fight at the end like we were in the arena. Stallone starts directing these movies at this point and while the patented "Rocky" formula is already becoming obvious, he does pay attention to the psychology of Rocky and Apollo that forces them back into the ring. Automatic deductions for all that damn slow motion during the fight, especially the final falls (4.2 Stars).
"Rocky III" (1982) is the slickest of the bunch and the most entertaining film in the series. Yes, once again we have the end of the previous film at the start of the next one, but the montage contrasting the successful Rocky with the ascendant Clubber Lang, who is genuinely scary, is really nice. The scene with Hulk Hogan is a hoot and even though Stallone is going through the numbers again the fights are all short, sweet, and to the point (4.5 Stars).
"Rocky IV" (1985) is a painfully obvious message film. James Brown feels good in this one, but he is out of the movie before it starts to come apart. My problem is not with the ideology of this film and Rocky's plea for peace, but with the contrast between Drago's steroid induced strength and Rocky's run up the mountain training technique. A punch from Drago has an impact of almost a half-ton. I have no problem believing that the guy cannot take a bunch, but I cannot believe that Drago's haymakers do not take off Rocky's head, or at least tear his brain lose (3.5 Stars).
"Rocky V" (1990) finally deals with the brain damage that Drago must have caused, and throws in Rocky losing his fortune. Both of these are very real concerns for former boxers. Rocky trains young Tommy Gunn, ignoring his own kid in the process, as a way of reliving his former glory. When the kid betrays him, the two end up brawling on the street. I can accept that Rocky knows how to be a street fighter, but I draw the line at being able to fight when you have a concussion. The humanity that drew us to the character in the original is gone, and not in a transcendent way. However, I will give Stallone that he certainly plays out the character's flaws (3.3 Stars).
For those doing the math that works out to a 4 star rating on average, which is what you see above. A key factor seems to be the more punishment Rocky takes in the ring the less successful the film ends up being, but then if you want really realistic fights go watch "Raging Bull." I did one "Rocky" movie a day for five days and while my chances of watching "IV" and "V" again are slim and none, "Rocky" and the first two sequels will certainly get trotted out from time to time.
Description of Rocky Anthology (Rocky / Rocky II / Rocky III / Rocky IV / Rocky V)
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