Review of Rocky III (1982) by Cole P — 24 Jul 2011

I have very mixed feelings about Rocky III. Rocky fanatics and Italian buffs are likely to embrace this "threequel" for all of its flair, action, determination, and 80's macho shit. Those more concerned with watching a compelling story in the spirit of the original...are likely to harbor a grudge.

Now the heavyweight champion of the world, Rocky Balboa defends his title ten successful times--his cornerman Mickey (Burgess Meredith) always by his side. But out of nowhere comes the number one heavyweight contender (Clubber Lang, but even the mildest of audiences will refer to him as Mr. T) who hinders Rocky's winning spree. Desperate, depressed, and downtrodden, Balboa seeks help from his former adversary, Apollo Creed.

Rocky III's story is admittedly genuine for having to document the life of a superstar in his prime. If you've cared enough about the character to get this far, than you'll likely be captivated by the emotional drama eminent in this installment. And for some people, the Creed and Balboa pair up becomes a bodybuilder's wet dream (pardon the pun). Unfortunately, the film also suffers from the mere existence of time--this being the eighties, which heavily saturated the picture in a barrage of terrible fashion, gratuitous music, and cornball situations--all of which are scoffed at now in this millennia. I'm still trying to deduce the purpose behind the Hulk Hogan cameo--hilarity and stardom aside. And while the hero searches for that Eye of the Tiger, he is not so successful in finding the character's usual niche. The way Stallone plays Balboa is a smarter, more soft-spoken, and leaner man (the result of evolved dieting and steroids, no doubt). Balboa looks more fit for a fitness club than to be swapping punches with a HEAVYWEIGHT contender. But I digress, this is an eighties movie: all stye and no substance.

Now we also have two themes for remembering Rocky: The Oscar-shunned Gonna Fly Now and the memorable Eye of the Tiger. I think Stallone was deeply offended at the Academy's cold-shoulder of the aforementioned song, but he could do without their statue. Besides, in Rocky III, he has his own.