Review of Rocky III (1982) by Eugene B — 26 Jan 2013

'Rocky' was the sleeper hit of 1976 that came out of nowhere to be an Oscar winner that year. Made on an extremely modest $1 million, the Stallone vehicle turned out to be a hugely successful, low budget shock. It not only beat 'Network' at the awards, it recouped it's budget many times over and made it's star (Stallone also wrote it) into an overnight success. Although it's cheapness does shine through in places and the editing is a bit off as well, 'Rocky' remains a very enjoyable film. It's sequel, 'Rocky II' completed the circle (or should have) with a re-match evolving the two main protagonists, Rocky and the World Heavyweight Champ, Apollo Creed. As a sequel, 'Rocky II' did very well to advance the story and it did so using logical steps.

'Rocky III', however, is where the franchise starts to come apart at the seams.

The Rocky story continues with this episode, as we find Rocky still the World Heavyweight Champion. He has defended his title numerous times, made shed loads of money, has been honoured by the city of "Brotherly Love" and is about to announce his retirement when an "up-and-comer" goads Rocky into postponing his plans and fight one more match. Clubber Lang (Mr. T) is an extremely aggressive younger fighter, hungry for the title and with remarkable ease pushes Rocky into getting into the ring with him. Rocky's trainer, Mickey (Burgess Meredith) is reluctant to agree to this fight, but Rocky persuades him. Without giving too much away, all does not go well.

While 'Rocky III' retains the basic formula of the first two movies (Rocky trains, overcomes adversity, then fights) it's a noticeable departure in both character and style. Rocky, who is now rich and living a very wealthy lifestyle isn't the lovable bum from downtown Philly anymore. It's like Stallone forgot how to play him, between 1979 and 1981. It's hard to put ones finger on it, but the Rocky of 'Rocky III' is almost an entirely different character from I and II. His wife, Adrianna (Talia Shire) is a completely different character. Gone is the likeable, retiring and painfully shy girl and instead we have a "dolled up" millionaires wife, who isn't afraid to roar at Rocky when the need calls for it, when previously she would barely raise her voice above a whisper. It's a dramatic change of pace, to say the least and Shire (like Stallone) isn't half as entertaining as she was in the previous films.

In finer form, but looking jaded from it all (both fictionally and realistically) is Burgess Meredith, who returns as Rocky's gravel voiced trainer, Mickey. Adrian's brother Paulie (Burt Young) also turns up, along with Carl Weathers' ex champ Apollo Creed. These three characters at least retain their basic personalities from the former movies. Although Meredith seems to be there to simply draw a cheque.

But, even with the changes in character aside, 'Rocky III' punches well below it's weight. The script calls for some unbelievable contrivance and the central buddy story of Rocky and Creed is a bit hard to swallow. It also leads to some unintentionally hilarious moments, like the "running on the beach" montage, that actually had me belly laughing. The dialogue is turgid and ill thought out and Mr T's Clubber Lang is a ridiculous villain. Mr T, completely unhindered by talent, plays Lang as best he can. But, he just comes across as a slightly meaner B.A. Baracus from the 'A-Team', which is the part that he got as a result of this movie. But, as a character, Lang is wretched. It's not entirely Mr. T's fault as he was plucked from "Night club bouncer" obscurity to play the part. The main problem is the silly writing, penned again by Stallone (although not as successfully this time).

In terms of general quality, 'Rocky III' is a huge step backwards and the series should really have ended with the second one. Stretching the basic formula out this far was bad enough, but it blows the mind when one considers that a IV, V and a VI have been made! Number IV being a truly appalling experience. While 'Rocky III' is "glossier" than I and II, its veneer can do nothing to hide the fact that it's a pale imitation of what's come before. The repetition of Bill Conti's musical cues wears thin as well, even though "Survivor" were hired to provide the famous main theme track.

'Rocky III', despite being a rather poor film, was a box office hit in 1982, earning over $120.000.000 in the U.S. alone. This is somewhat unfortunate in many ways, as it led to a bloated line of follow up movies that were even worse. The shelf life of Rocky was well past it's "sell by" date in 1982 and consequently, it's terrible sequels have been stinking up the entire series for nearly three decades.

My advice to anyone embarking on this series is to enjoy I and II and then walk away.