Rocky IV

Probably the best installment of the entire series—the essence of Rocky. Ivan Drago is unorthodox, ruthless, and intense. The 80s vibe is spot-on, and the soundtrack is genius—every track is an absolute hit. The plot is incredibly straightforward, yet it maximizes its impact, setting the stage for the following films. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. "If he dies, he dies." (2021-05-07)

"I see three of him." - "Cut the one in the middle!" Many people consider this one of the best, while for me it's the first one I don't give a full rating to. Something is missing (Conti's music especially), something remains (the robot, the horribly long flashback montage before Rocky's departure). Otherwise, it is a perfect spectacle with a killer Dolph Lundgren and a determined-to-death Stallone, who gets a standing ovation from the politburo members at the end. The training part of "modern technology versus barn and nature" is still overwhelming. (2016-01-03)

When I look back on the match in the USSR or even just reading some of the reviews here quoting lines directly from the movie, a chill runs down my spine, and it's the right moment to forget words like "propaganda". The long flashback while driving the car, the training in the snow, Drago destroying equipment in the gym, and somewhere in the back of my head a voice telling me that cheering like this is something I should perhaps do at the age of twelve, not in my thirties. The most bombastic and deservedly the best installment of the series. (2006-05-13)

Nostalgia’s a bitch. I loved this movie when I was little; an irresistibly naive echo of the Cold War. It's impossible not to root for an American who has to lift a log and run across a snowy landscape to train, as opposed to a Russian who is groomed by a team of physiotherapists in top-notch conditions. I almost felt like pulling out the American flag and cheering Sly on at the top of my lungs :) (2003-09-27)

The only quality episode, with the exception of the first movie. Although we see the same thing here for the fourth time, it’s only the second time it’s worked. But if this wasn’t enough for movie-goers in the Czech Republic, we get extra delight in the form of Czech dubbing that rightly has a cult following. The Czech language voice-over of “No Easy Way Out" is particularly satisfying! A hot candidate for the worldwide most laughable dubbing award. As an added bonus we get “artsy" editing and the seriously excellent training sequence. But don’t go looking for any logic in Rocky VI. It’s simply a cult movie and a perfect guilty pleasure. One of my most favorite ever. (2022-04-21)