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Rocky IV (1985) First Time Watching! Full Movie Reaction!!

🕑 Added 2022-03-22 16:51:02 +0000 UTC

Comments

Jason Mangen

Of course there were posed in juxtaposition it was during the Cold War. 6 more years later and the Soviets Union collapsed.

Philip Davetas

I've seen the YouTube version of this which got me on board to become a patron. This flick was my jam as a kid. The montages in this was talked about at the time, but simultaneously it was a sign of the times as MTV and VH1 were kings and queens of influence. While the theatrical and director's cut are radically different, they have the same message. It's best stated from a quote from MOONLIGHTING. "...to bring peace to the world through fights."

Jah (jakwiq) (Jah Quick)

Just finished watching part 4. This just reinforces why I say y'all are one of the top reactors out there. Just finish watching the last 2 Rocky's and then watch both Creeds and all the questions y'all have had will be answered. The shock y'all had when Apollo died was the exact same one in the packed theatre I was in back in '85.

Philip Davetas

Curious about the ROCKY VS. DRAGO cut. Might help with CREED II.

Alex

I think maybe you guys might want to watch The Next Karate Kid. I saw something the other day where someone was saying they might be in the next season of Cobra Kai. There is no way that anything reasonable leads to this conclusion, but it is possible that she may end up on the series at some point, and it is a good movie and it does have Mr. Miyagi in it.. It finishes out some of his story.

Miles E Coburn

To be frank, I think this movie and “Rocky V” are the two weakest movies in the franchise. With “Rocky V” being the weakest. It came out at the height of MTV and the movie is structured around the music. You even mentioned there were quite a few montages, and that the Rocky Theme (“Gonna Fly Now”) was nowhere to be seen / heard. It’s an easier task for the screenwriter if there are great stretches with no dialogue. But the movie did have four songs that made it to the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. “Burning Heart” by Survivor made it to # 2 in 1985. “Living In America” by James Brown made it to # 4 in 1986. “No Easy Way Out” by Robert Tepper made it to # 22 in 1986. “Hearts On Fire” by John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band only got to # 76 in 1986. The movie made use of the stereotypical evil, evil Russian trope as well. I get Rocky’s the hero, but how do you know those were steroids being injected? Athletes routinely receive vitamin supplement injections. Additionally, Cortisone injections are common as well. I’m pretty sure injecting that dosage of steroids would have severe adverse effects / overdose, such as Coma, Seizures, Loss of hearing, Irregular Heartbeat/heart rate, Stroke. But I get it. The Russians are bad so it must be steroids. But if you look, there are no shortages of stereotypes in the franchise. Italians as part of Organized Crime. The angry Black man – Clubber Lang. And you’ll see another Black stereotype if you watch “Rocky V”. Add to that, every movie, with the exception of the first movie in the franchise has had at least one cringe moment. "Rocky II" – the army of children running behind Rocky. "Rocky III" – Rocky “serenading” Adrian with the “Do, Do, Do, Doo” from “Take You Back” (the song being sung on the street corner in the original "Rocky"). Like that was Rocky’s theme. And of course, the ego feeding statue at the top of the steps. And then in this one we’ve got the robot, and Apollo’s production at the start of the Creed / Drago fight. Probably the most cringe comes at the end with Rocky’s speech. It made it appear Rocky was instrumental in the collapse of the Soviet Union and normalization of foreign communications with Russia. I mean, come on. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Rocky franchise. It’s just this entry is not one of the strongest.

Donna Castellano

Oh I forgot to add - since you've already seen Raging Bull, once you finish the Rocky series, you should check out the 2013 comedy Grudge Match. Stallone and DeNiro play boxers (not their Rocky or RB characters, of course) who have a rematch fight, like 30 years after their prime. It's a fun movie. Lotta heart.

Gary Giaimo

I'm sure I'm gonna' get hate for this, but this one (which was my favorite when I was a kid) is actually my least favorite now. I still enjoy it from a place of nostalgia, and the montages are epic, but there's not much to the movie without them. Just my opinion. Some of the dialogue, the stakes are WAY too high for a sports movie (Apollo's melodramatic death, Rocky winning the Cold War, etc...). I just prefer the underdog/love story of the first two movies, not that there's not room for this too. All that being said, as always, it's a blast to watch these movies along with you and I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Donna Castellano

I rewatched Rocky V like 2 years ago. It was definitely better than I remember it being. The acting from one of the main characters may be part of the reason V gets dragged a lot. Cause there's some questionable acting at points. Anyway, glad you enjoyed IV. This is the one I've seen the most. Growing up in the 80s and with the hopeful Cold War messaging, it was the one that played on TV the most. I've yet to see the Director's Cut - I do own it - but if down the line you want to do a reaction to that version, I'm down to watch with y'all.

Erich Bomke

They dont have to. You get nothing from it.

Will D

Here is a fun interview with Dolph being quizzed on his lines from the movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU7gCxRFizA

The One True Chris

You ABSOLUTELY MUST WATCH the College Humor video (it's on YouTube) in which they did a parody "ESPN 30 for 30" episode -- including actual ESPN boxing analysts -- presented as if the Rocky/Drago fight was a real historical event that brought about the end of the Cold War. It's superbly done, and hilarious!

Jah (jakwiq) (Jah Quick)

No doubt. Saw'em all already. Just want to go through the whole series again with your reactions. It's like watching them all for the first time again. Keep'em coming.

TBR Schmitt

Yay! Thanks for joining us for the "Rocky" ride! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

Interesting! I love everyone's different takes on the franchise, that's how you know it's excellent! Can't wait for more! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

Can't wait for more Rocky! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

LOL he was definitely going to disappear! Oh wow! That's so awesome haha -Sam

TBR Schmitt

Yes tons of montages! That's awesome though. I love the 80s soundtrack! We're definitely going to have to check out the director's cut on our time! Can't wait for more Rocky & Adrian! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

Ahh good to know! We'll definitely need to check it out on our own time! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

Aww yay! Enjoy! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

We'll definitely need to check out the Director's Cut on our own! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

Removed entirely?! WOW! I mean, I agree it seemed a bit out of place haha -Sam

TBR Schmitt

Thank you! We're excited to deep dive into more Stallone films! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

LOL we're still excited for more Rocky and Adrian! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

Wow thank you so much! Hope you enjoy the Rocky series (so far)! -Sam

Mike Tocci

I think you guys will enjoy Rocky V. It was directed by John Avildsen, the director of the original Rocky and has more of the feel of the first two films.

Mike Tocci

The headlines after Apollo's funeral were about Rocky giving up the title so he could fight Drago. In order to fight Drago he had to give it up because the boxing federation wouldn't sanction the fight.

Jah (jakwiq) (Jah Quick)

Make sure to also ad Rocky 4: Directors Cut to your list down the line. You'll def wanna see that one too. It ads more depth to this movie.

Future Boy

You're right, the actual Apollo knockout was more brutal in the original. But in general, because of the new editing and new sound, both fights just feel much more real, like every punch is hitting twice as hard. They also cut out most of those punches that you can tell didn't really hit. Apparently that also always bothered Stallone. For anyone who wants lots more on this, there's a great documentary (90 minutes long) with Stallone himself, talking about the new version, why he made the changes etc. Just search "The Making of Rocky Vs Drago" on YouTube.

Aaron Barlow

Rocky really pummelled Dragos' fists with his face. Drago's knuckles would be a bloody mess.

Anakin Starkiller

This is the movie where Rocky becomes a Titan.

Anakin Starkiller

You have to admit Apollo took his punishment like an outnumbered Gladiator.

Vwlss Nvwls

I wonder if the reason for the long montages were just a sign of the times. In the 80s soundtracks started becoming as big as the movies themselves, and this movie played entire songs in scenes, and montages. Also, there really isn't much to the story, so they needed to drag it out to a movie length. :D

Anakin Starkiller

Rocky 5 is fun

Anakin Starkiller

If only we had Rocky for Ukraine 😕

Vwlss Nvwls

I really enjoy this movie, especially the Russia training montage. I am glad you are doing the Stallone movies, and I cannot wait till you get to my favorite one... "Assassins" with Antonio Banderas. :D

Jonathan Patrick

His speech at the funeral in the directors cut was great.

Mike Adams

Read somewhere that 32% of the movie is a montage of some sort.

Christopher B.

And now you know how Rocky single-handedly ended the cold war, punch-by-punch, montage-by-montage.

Jeff Mills

I used to like this one a lot more when I was younger, but it's still enjoyable. The ending is a bit unrealistic with the Soviet leaders giving Rocky a standing ovation, but I could definitely see the people of Russia rooting for the underdog. I feel bad for the people over there especially right now with Putin doing the things he's doing. They're good people and, hopefully, someday in the near future, Putin will be gone. I love the relationship between Duke/Tony and Rocky. Duke saw the greatness in Rocky before anyone ever did including Mickey going back to the first film. He was the one who told Apollo to watch out for him and Apollo ignored him. He warned Apollo about fighting him a second time and Apollo ignored him. Duke is the unsung hero of the "Rocky" saga. RIP Tony Burton.

Jeff Mills

That montage is basically a music video from the 1980's. Great song.

Jonathan Patrick

I agree it would be nice to see them react to the Directors cut eventually. I for one think the biggest mistake was not using that funeral scene in the theatrical. I feel the knockout in theatrical of Creed was more brutal though. I think (Watch out SPOILER) I would have kept the twitching legs in there just bc it adds to the tension or chaos. That always got to me as a kid. Oh and Paulies speech in hallway before fight. Id have keot that. But overall I do love the directors cut more.

Scott Kerr

Duke (Apollo's trainer) is one of my favorite characters from the Rocky films.

Duncan

The robot was very random,but there is a full story behind it and why it was in the movie In short one of Stallone's children is autistic and Stallone had the idea that a robot would be a way to help with his condition,so he was working with a robotics company at the time to create a robot for his son,to help his son develop better communication and interaction skills by interacting with the robot,it ended up doing wonders in helping his son,so Stallone became completely enamored with the robot and wrote it in to the movie because it helped out his family situation so much

Yann Laliberté

I see that you guys are not like some of us, members of the Cult of Drago. Drago is the best!!! If you did not like the robot, the director's cut is for you.

Jen Barnes

Thank you so much for the description of the director's cut version, I will definitely try to watch it. Rocky IV is one of my favorites, but the changes sound like they make it so much better.

Joel P

Definitely my least favorite of the first four Rocky films, although it has its moments. This is very much an 80s movie with the cold war backdrop. Most of it isn't too over the top except for the ridiculous idea that the Russian crowd would ever openly cheer for Rocky at the end of the fight. This is the Soviet Union, a brutal police state with state-sanctioned death squads and surveillance. With cameras everywhere as well as potential informants, no one in the crowd would have risked his life to openly root for Rocky. Silly. As for steroids, I guess it works in the film that Drago is being artificially enhanced. It's certainly something that Soviet athletes were known to engage in on the regular. But in real life, Sylvester Stallone is just as juiced as Dolph Lundgren, maybe more so. Steroids and HGH are so commonplace amongst celebrities, weightlifters, and a lot of athletes that most people don't even know what a naturally muscular man looks like anymore. It's all so fake. Anyway, looking forward to watching part V. I haven't seen it since I was a kid, so I remember very little about it. I wonder if it's really as bad as a lot of people say.

Future Boy

There are 2 new scenes added between Rocky and Adrian, and some of their other scenes are extended, so overall still lots more stuff between them in the new version.

Alex

It's ok I also write long posts. It's funny coz it really isn't all that long but it looks like a wall of text when you look at the posts, especially coz of the really huge margins. I think they should watch it after they finish the series. Maybe like after Creed 2. Coz it would be cool to see their reaction. I dunno how I feel about Adrian's cake scene being cut it sounds like a lot of sentimental stuff was taken out. It already didn't have much about Rocky and Adrian's relationship, but it sounds cool.

Alex

Hm, that's interesting. I think he was way more obsessed with money in Rocky 1 when he was buying all that or was it Rocky 2? Where he bought like the jacket and the sports car and everything. I think he should have at least kept the anniversary gift. But yeah definitely adding more to the ending before the end credits is good. Can't wait to see what they did.

Future Boy

One of the things Stallone said he hated about the original version was that Rocky had become obsessed with money. That's why he cut out the robot, most shots of the sports cars, and the fancy watch gift for Adrian. And you mentioned the message at the end. One of my favourite changes in the director's cut is the extended scene AFTER his speech. The new version's got an extra minute before the end credits, and I think it's a far better way to end the film.

Future Boy

I didn't realise how obnoxious the robot was until it was taken out. It absolutely does not belong in a film where such a dark moment exists. Ten minutes after the funeral, moments before Rocky walks out on his wife, and Paulie's making sexual jokes with the robot.

Alex

Apollo in the beginning was being patriotic he has always been patriotic and this thing with the show was him really driving it home for Drago that he's in America almost to the point of overkill, especially with the "Living in America" song. lol And the thing is with the chaperones that's just how it is in a country like that. Everybody is surveilled and watched, and probably especially people who are visiting. It wasn't about anything about the match, just how things are in communist countries. Stallone took out the robot in the director's cut and originally I liked the robot coz it was like so futuristic in the 80s and back then all of us nerds wanted robots of our own and spaceships and all this stuff. But now I agree it feels out of place and random. I guess it was coz they're rich so they can afford that cutting edge stuff, but as kids we saw stuff like that with wonder and awe. It seems like dumb it can't really do much but back then the idea of a robot that could bring you soda and stuff was awesome. Yeah. Rocky's message at the end was great. And that line "If he dies he dies," is one of my favorite memes.. Like there's this thing and it's sooo true especially about my trainer, and it's like "My personal trainer making a new training regimen for me" and it shows a picture of Drago with the text "If he dies, he dies" 😂

Alex

Yeah I think it is a good call to watch the theatrical version first even though I do, now, after seeing this now the robot just is kind of random and unnecessary. As kid it was super cool and made me want a robot and the whole future sci-fi stuff was great in the 80s and made us want it.. like when the Sony Aibo came out (Robot dog) it was like super cool and I wanted one, just coz of all that stuff from the 80s.

Future Boy

Just watched and had a blast! Thanks to you both for continuing to watch my favourite films so I can relive them with you. I'm glad you enjoyed most things about it. I think most of the things you DIDN'T like are fixed in the director's cut. I still think you should watch it, on your channel or just privately, since you clearly love the Rocky series so much. Here's what you'll like more (small spoilers for director's cut): all robot scenes cut, Rocky with kid and video camera scene cut, Rocky/Apollo sparring recap cut, Paulie's birthday cut, Rocky/Adrian cake scene cut, multiple "Lamborghini" scenes cut. Even with all of those cuts, the running time stays the same because many more scenes (and extended scenes) were added with Adrian, Apollo, Duke (Apollo's trainer), and at Apollo's funeral. The added scenes are all FAR better than the ones they replaced. How the original funeral scenes got in over the director's cut funeral scenes is hard to understand. Both fights also have new footage, new sound, new editing, and in my opinion, are far better. Both fights are closer (Apollo puts up a better fight) and more brutal. The whole film has also been remastered, color corrected, color balanced, and looks infinitely better. It might be weird to watch it again for the channel, because the story is very similar in the second half of the film, but I would have no problem watching along with you again, seeing the new stuff, hearing your thoughts on the director's cut. I also think it would be good for a great reaction channel to have BOTH versions up, because most people just aren't seeing this new version anywhere. Having said all that, even with the original version, this was probably my favourite reaction from you guys. So thanks again for all you do. I'm a Rocky 4 fan. Sorry. Long post over.

Alex

Yeah after seeing it now I kind of agree with Stallone that the robot was kind of unnecessary. When I saw it as a kid I thought it was so cool.. like a lot of the 80s sci-fi and what movies made the future out to be back then and stuff made us want it so bad as kids even if the robot was cheesy the idea of a robot that could do stuff for you was super awesome. But I think now it's like it just doesn't have the same effect anymore and seems kind of random and out of left field.

Jonathon Dragovan

I am super happy we are getting here! I haven’t seen these movies in so long. So I forgot what most of them were about. So it’s nice to re-learn them. But also tough to wait until you guys drop these videos. I have never seen the sixth one but seen both Creed movies. So I am really excited to finally watch that for the first time!

Future Boy

The director's cut takes out a few of Brigitte Nielsen's lines, but it definitely doesn't remove her.

Jonathan Patrick

I completely agree with this. Well said about part 5.

TK Kennon

I too, look forward to those reactions!

TK Kennon

As a diehard rocky fan, the 4th one is actually my least favorite. it's not a bad movie, but I always felt it was the least Rocky-esque that the others were. It was very 80s..the soundtrack...composer Bill Conti wasn't available, and dont get me wrong, Vince DiCola did great, but it was so synth heavy. The general consensus to the casual fan, is that this is the best Rocky, and part 5 is the worst. But part 5, while having its flaws, does at least capture the spirit of Rocky. I recently saw the director's cut of part 4, and I felt it was definitely more in line with the rest of the series. 5, and 6 (Balboa) wont let you down, I hope. 6 is probably my overall favorite of the saga. The Creed franchise also captures Rocky really well.

Jonathan Patrick

Happens to be one of my faves.

Demos Samolis

This one was so many fans favorites. The original Rocky and Rocky 2 are better movies but 3 and 4 became so many fans favorite guilty pleasures especially the montages. Lets be honest too Drago was Rockys biggest opponent.

Ellie Miller

"This guy's (Drago's handler) gonna get murdered." - Sam. LOL Someone counted it. 29 minutes of montage out of 91 minutes of movie. 31.9%. The 80s rule!

Demos Samolis

hey its not all bad. Its got some rocky moments in it!! I m not saying it compares to these top 4 but i grown to appreciate it

Jonathan Patrick

The montages were definitely bc it was right in the middle of the 80s lol. Great songs my family still listens to, to this day haha. I do prefer the funeral scene from the directors cut. That funeral speech is much better. As someone else said, the directors cut is a bit more dramatic and serious and I think I do prefer that but it makes sense for you to watch this one first so you saw it as we first did. It's a classic either way. As for Rocky 5, I'm one of the ones who loves it and really appreciates it. It is a bit different, but I love all the Rocky's and 5 is actually one of my favorites for many reasons that I'll explain on that reaction thread . Can't wait to see that reaction.

Kurt Yost

The Director's cut also removes Stallone's ex-wide (Bridgit Neilsen) but adds a number of moments that help to develop the characters...so I think the TBR family may really like it more. The downside to it is that far fewer people have seen it and so the theatrical cut is what people think of when they recall this film, robot and all.

Future Boy

I thought my entertainment tonight would be Cobra Kai, but it looks like that got kicked to tomorrow! Cannot wait to watch this later.

Mr. Writhms

The new Stallone Director’s Cut takes out all the scenes with the robot along with overly comedic moments. They added in additional dramatic scenes that were cut before, giving the movie a more serious tone. I’m thinking I prefer the new cut now.

Jason Dolan

The robot was removed from the Director's Cut

Jonathan Patrick

Waking up to see your Rocky reactions really makes my day ❤️. Can't wait till y'all one day react to Lock Up, Over the Top, and Copland. Rocky 4 here we go 🍿

Ellie Miller

I'm so sorry you have to watch Rocky V next. Things will get better!

Jah (jakwiq) (Jah Quick)

I'm gonna watch your full reactions from the first Rocky up to 4 this weekend. Your Collateral reaction is the reason why y'all are the top reactors out there.