Rocky IV

Name: Rocky IV
Genre: Drama, Sport
Released: November 27, 1985
Duration: 91 min
Rating: 40
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire

1985

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 101 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 101 Ratings

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Rocky IV

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Movie Details & Credits

MGM/UA Entertainment Company | Release Date: November 27, 1985 | PG

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire

Summary: Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) proudly holds the world heavyweight boxing championship, but a new challenger has stepped forward: Drago (Dolph Lundgren), a six-foot-four, 261-pound fighter who has the backing of the Soviet Union. This time, Rocky's training regimen takes him to icy Siberia, where he prepares for a globally televisedRocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) proudly holds the world heavyweight boxing championship, but a new challenger has stepped forward: Drago (Dolph Lundgren), a six-foot-four, 261-pound fighter who has the backing of the Soviet Union. This time, Rocky's training regimen takes him to icy Siberia, where he prepares for a globally televised match in the heart of Moscow. But nothing can truly prepare him for what he's about to face - a powerfully charged fight to the finish, in which he must defend not only himself, but also the honor of his country! [MGM]… Expand

Director: Sylvester Stallone

Genre(s): Drama, Sport

Rating: PG

Runtime: 91 min

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Critic Reviews

Gene Siskel

Whereas Stallone with "Rambo" is messing around with real places and real events, in Rocky IV we all know that this is pure Hollywood, pure fantasy. And very well made Hollywood fantasy, indeed. Read full review

Jay Boyar

The film is a slugger that keeps hitting you with one obvious image after another. Funny thing, though: Obviousness is sometimes effective. If Rocky IV doesn't kill you, it'll conquer you. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Beyond its visceral appeal, Rocky IV is truly the worst of the lot, though Stallone himself is more personable in this one and that helps. Read full review

Jack Kroll

In this tetralogical effort, writer-director-star Stallone has succumbed to the old one-two of silliness and cynicism. [9 Dec 1985, p.92]

Janet Maslin

The comforting sameness of all the ''Rockys'' and the overbearing star quality of Mr. Stallone in his lovable-lug incarnation may well make Rocky IV another hit. But when it flashes back to its antecedents, particularly to the original ''Rocky'' with its bashful heroine and self-effacing star, it becomes clear how bloated and hollow the story has become. Read full review

Dave Kehr

The film runs through most of Leni Riefenstahl's bag of tricks as it builds up a patriotic frenzy, yet the crazed flag-waving would be a lot easier to take if it weren't so clearly a commercial calculation meant to salvage what is otherwise a crass, careless, shamelessly padded film. Read full review

Richard Schickel

A scant hour and a half long, padded with clips from earlier Rocky pictures, adding nothing to his mythic, let alone human dimensions, it lacks even the primitive suspense and crude capacity to release underdog emotions that permitted its predecessors to conquer one's better judgment. Read full review

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User Reviews

Munknjet

Mar 22, 2021

I should hate this movie. But instead, i absolutely love it. Rocky IV was flawless from start to finish. Definitely my pick for the best out of the 5 although I have yet to see 5. A movie that pays true homage to the legendary saga. The music, plot, storyline and the way that it makes youI should hate this movie. But instead, i absolutely love it. Rocky IV was flawless from start to finish. Definitely my pick for the best out of the 5 although I have yet to see 5. A movie that pays true homage to the legendary saga. The music, plot, storyline and the way that it makes you hate the main villain Ivan Drago is absolutely poetic. Sylvester did an astonishing job with this plot and made it go places. What is made out to be a really cliched filled ridiculously bad film is actually motivational, great, amazing and one of the best films I've ever seen. Just like the main plot Rocky IV defied all odds and was flawless. I could not find one thing wrong with this one.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JurassicParkFan

Mar 17, 2016

this is without doubt in my very own opinion the best feature film in the long legendary Rocky movie franchise and I don't know why critics hate it so much

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

gzayas91

Aug 1, 2018

The entertainment value was high in this one. This is the Cold War movie. I have no problem the robot in this film, I think is awesome to have robot.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Jk9785

Nov 19, 2018

Terrible, yes, but I'll be damned if it isn't entertaining. Arguably the most iconic antagonist in the franchise, Ivan Drago, is introduced here, and sparks 91 minutes of cheesy 80's fun.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Kai82

Oct 18, 2020

Maybe another case of a so bad it is good movie. Be warned for many this is garbage and even I who find it entertaining would not (completely) disagree. It uses the Rocky formula of an underdog trying to break the odds with emotional baggage. Here they added the cold war or rivalry betweenMaybe another case of a so bad it is good movie. Be warned for many this is garbage and even I who find it entertaining would not (completely) disagree. It uses the Rocky formula of an underdog trying to break the odds with emotional baggage. Here they added the cold war or rivalry between Russia and the USA. Soviet boxer Ivan Drago played by legendary Dolph Lundgren visits the USA with a delegation. They challenge Rocky to an exhibition fight. Rocky does not want to participate but his friend Apollo Creed wanted to have a remarkable last exit before he quits. Now the story progresses and everyone will know that it will end in a fight between Rocky and Drago at the climax of the movie. It is so predictable that no one considered it even as spoiler. Which is a main complaint for the movie. While still somehow entertaining it is foreseeable and unoriginal. The movie won 5 of the golden raspberries. But I must admit that Ivan Drago / Dolph Lundgren does a great and praiseworthy job. He is an intimidating and powerful antagonist. Also Carl Weathers and Tony Burtons performance is again great. Then there is the patriotism and east vs west mixed in. It is a borderline idea. It is entertaining and especially the conclusion is great but I see why many hate it or find it overcharged. Then there is the excellent soundtrack. Survivor did it again. With “Burning Hearth” they made another classic that is played even today from time to time in the radio. There are other great tracks like “Hearths on Fire”, “Eye of the Tiger, “No easy way out” and “War”. Worth buying the soundtrack. But lets go to my overall rating. This is so far the weakest in the franchise without a doubt. It is however really entertaining and this is the definition for the so bad that it is good movies. Worth watching.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MATM

Apr 22, 2021

“Rocky IV” is not the best Rocky movie, but I do think it is the most watchable. Come for the training montages, stay for the anti Soviet Union propaganda. The first half is pretty enjoyable to watch, but the second half doesn't really offer much that we haven't already seen done better in“Rocky IV” is not the best Rocky movie, but I do think it is the most watchable. Come for the training montages, stay for the anti Soviet Union propaganda. The first half is pretty enjoyable to watch, but the second half doesn't really offer much that we haven't already seen done better in the other Rocky movies, but I did appreciate that the movie ends with a call for peace, where it could have gone all in on making the USSR an unforgivable monster. I give it a C, if you've already seen the best, but you insist on watching a movie, try this one out.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

amheretojudge

Feb 13, 2018

you can change..

Rocky IV Just like the songs, exercise routines and repetitive clips, it seems redundant to add another installment in this already falling franchise when you clearly lack material. Rocky IV is petty, childish and seems overlong despite of its 91 minutes of run time for ityou can change..

Rocky IV

Just like the songs, exercise routines and repetitive clips, it seems redundant to add another installment in this already falling franchise when you clearly lack material. Rocky IV is petty, childish and seems overlong despite of its 91 minutes of run time for it merely has an idea of a TV drama episode which is stretched to a point of exhaustion. Its painful to watch Sylvester Stallone go through this enormous amount of training and hardly make a point out there. He fails on all the levels here; writer, director and actor, to deliver any loose end of the thread for the audience to hang on to. Rocky IV is predictable, loosely written and choreographed and executed unsupervised.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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