Review of Rocky V (1990) by Michael P — 10 Dec 2008

I just rewatched this during Vs. Thanksgiving Rocky-thon. I think I misjudged it, and I think it might be a little unfairly maligned. It is definitely the least of the Rocky films, but there's a great progression to the character here that I think they chickened out on.

Rocky, broke and no longer medically able to fight, becomes a trainer to a cocky up-and-comer. He's trying to become Mickey now, but he doesn't have a Rocky, he has Tommy Gunn. Maybe if instead of the pretty lame street fight, they'd had him train someone a little more down to earth to face Tommy when Tommy turns on him, the film would've been better--kind of a full circle moment.

But it's not as bad as I remember, and not as bad as everyone says it is. I'm definitely glad the series went out on Rocky Balboa, though.