Creed III

CREED III
2023 | Dir. Michael B. Jordan | 116 Minutes

"So, how does it feel, having somebody else sing your song?"

Adonis Creed's idyllic life in retirement is disrupted when Damien, a figure from Donnie's troubled past, demands a shot at the championship title. Feeling a sense of obligation to assist the desperate Dame, Donnie gives him the opportunity but soon regrets his decision when Dame's heinous methods are revealed. With his own reputation and the integrity of the sport of boxing itself on the line, Donnie steps into the ring once again to defend his legacy and set his wayward friend straight.

With Creed III, leading man Michael B. Jordan makes his directorial debut delivering arguably the best installment of the trilogy. Jordan places interpersonal drama front and center, letting the feud between Donnie and Dame drive the narrative more than the featured boxing matches. The story naturally builds on the thematic threads of the previous chapters, as an older and wiser Donnie balances family and career while facing his repressed inner demons. Flipping franchise formula on its head, the character of Dame plays like a twisted take on Rocky Balboa, a fighter who is perhaps past his prime but with the drive of a true contender, though what sets him apart is his desperation that leads him to do absolutely anything necessary to win, up to and including utilizing underhanded tactics. Perhaps the most intelligent aspect of the narrative, it overtly challenges the mentality of a fighter, ultimately emphasizing conflict resolution through discussion rather than through violence.

Shot entirely on IMAX cameras, the scale of the picture is truly massive, and Jordan makes the most of the vast visual real estate particularly in the ring. The boxing sequences are choreographed and paced with an abundance of style. Skillfully mixing extreme close-ups and slow motion into the intense fights, these moments effectively illustrate the split-second strategic thinking that occurs in the minds of the combatants. Taking a giant creative swing, the proceedings become outright surreal during the climatic match, when the audience in the background literally disappears and the boxing ring transforms into a prison cell as the two fighters trade blows with no sense of time until the viewer is suddenly brought back to reality for the final round.

Michael B. Jordan is better than ever, giving a measured performance that does an excellent job of showing Donnie's growth as a character. As Dame, Jonathan Majors is simply fantastic, playing a nuanced opponent with motivations that are understandable, fully bringing to life a complex character that is easy to like but also easy to despise. Returning as Bianca, Tessa Thompson's is incredibly engaging as Donnie's supportive spouse and emotional compass, particularly captivating when challenging Donnie's refusal to discuss his past and his default combative mindset. Mila Davis-Kent shines as the adorable Amara Creed, exuding genuine charisma while also delivering exceptional representation for the deaf community. Phylicia Rashad is heartbreaking as the aging Mary Anne, sharing the most touching moments of the picture with Jordan's Donnie. The supporting cast also features Thaddeus J. Mixson and Spence Moore II as young Donnie and Dame in flashbacks, Jose Benavidez as Donnie’s chosen successor boxing champ Felix Chavez, Selenis Leyva as Chavez's fierce mother Laura, Wood Harris as weary series regular Little Duke, Florian Munteanu reprising the part of Viktor Drago from Creed II, and Tony Bellew returning as Ricky Conlan from Creed for one last fight.

Breaking from series formula in intriguing ways, Michael B. Jordan's Creed III elevates the saga of Donnie to new creative and emotional heights. The film is both an excellent sports picture, capturing the action with distinct visual flair, and a deeply affecting drama about nurturing family, preserving friendship, and realizing the limits of personal accountability. Consistent with the best pictures of the franchise, it delivers big crowd-pleasing entertainment with a whole lot of heart.

FRAGMENTS
- Though the absence of Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa is felt, and Stallone's public misgivings about producer Irwin Winkler over the rights to the Rocky character he created casts a shadow on the whole franchise, it allows Michael B. Jordan to take complete ownership of the film, firmly establishing that this very much is Donnie's story going forward

- Jordan is open about his anime fandom and the influence it has on his filmmaking, and it shows: from the posters in young Donnie's bedroom to the way the fights are visualized

- Joseph Shirley's score for this film is appropriately epic and has its own musical identity, only sparingly referencing Ludwig Göransson's themes for Donnie and Drago from Creed and Creed II, and Bill Conti's "The Final Bell" from Rocky

- Of all of the appearances from real life sports commentators in this series, Stephen A. Smith's appearance in this film is by far my favorite


MCU CONNECTIONS
- Wood Harris (Officer Gale in Ant-Man)

- Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder, and The Marvels)

- Michael B. Jordan (N'Jadaka/Erik "Killmonger" Stevens in Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)

- Florian Munteanu (Razor Fist in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings)

- Jonathan Majors (Kang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania)

Creed II

CREED II
2018 | Dir. Steven Caple Jr. | 130 Minutes

"Are you here to prove something to other people, or prove something to yourself?"

Viktor Drago, son of disgraced Russian boxer Ivan Drago, challenges Adonis Creed's claim to the world heavyweight title in a bid to repair his family's tarnished reputation. When his beloved mentor Rocky Balboa refuses to train him to fight his dangerously desperate opponent, Donnie nearly loses everything dear to him. Guided by Rocky's wisdom, Donnie finds true motivation to confront the shadow of the past and face the future with a renewed sense of purpose.

Helmed by up-and-coming director Steven Caple Jr., Creed II is a satisfying second act to the story of Adonis Creed. Though the plot follows story beats that mirror the original Rocky sequels, the major events of Donnie's life are handled with a much more nuance and thematic gravity, exploring the pressure to meet expectations, and the burden of maintaining a lasting legacy made more poignant with the concept of fatherhood playing a key role.

While the featured boxing sequences are competently executed, and occasionally downright brutal, they are the least impressive parts of the film, constructed and paced with noticeably less flair than Coogler's exemplary work featured in the first film. The sportscaster commentary running through the key fights is overwrought and distractingly melodramatic at times. Caple's style is up-close-and-personal, and is decidedly the picture's biggest strength, perfect for quiet moments of intimate human drama, drawing excellent performances from the cast particularly in tender scenes centered on Donnie and Bianca.

Through his consistently magnificent performance, Michael B. Jordan handles Donnie's struggle with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt with sensitivity and considerable skill. Sequences covering Donnie's pain and frustration during the low points of his story are at least as powerful as the obligatory training montages leading up to the climatic fight. As Bianca, Tessa Thompson is once again absolutely magnetic, showcasing her phenomenal range of talent as an actress and as a singer. The chemistry shared between Jordan and Thompson is palpable and, like the first film, this sequel just wouldn't work without this onscreen couple.

Not simply a one-dimensional opponent to pit against Donnie, Viktor Drago's motivation is relatively grounded, slightly complex, and emotionally poignant. Florian "Big Nasty" Munteanu brings Viktor to life with a surprising amount of pathos, establishing the formidable contender as a truly suitable foil to Donnie. Dolph Lundgren reprises his star-making role as Ivan Drago, an exponentially more experienced actor than he was when he initially played the character over thirty years ago, bringing gravitas (and a larger vocabulary) to the part. Munteanu and Lundgren are very convincing portraying an obsessively driven son and his vengeful overbearing father.

Slightly older, slightly wiser, but just as endearingly clumsy with his words and sentiments, Sylvester Stallone comfortably slips back into the role of his best character, albeit with a smaller, less pressing story to tell in this installment. Returning as Mary Anne Creed, Phylicia Rashād is particularly wonderful during an amusing dinner scene shared with Donnie and Bianca early in the film and remains a strong and warm presence throughout. Wood Harris also returns as trainer Tony "Little Duke" Evers in a larger role with more opportunities to demonstrate his seemingly effortless charisma. Though he does his best playing the part of the manipulative fight promoter Buddy Marcelle, Russell Hornsby is somewhat underutilized in the paper-thin role.

While Creed II doesn't reinvent the classic underdog narrative, it offers a familiar uplifting experience like the most nourishing comfort food. Fans of the original Creed and the Rocky series as a whole will find it to be an excellent natural addition to the saga of cinema's most iconic heavyweight boxing heroes.


FRAGMENTS
- Brigitte Nielsen returns very briefly as Ludmilla Drago from Rocky IV, serving as more of a concept than a full character

- In a touching cameo appearance, Milo Ventimiglia reprises the role of Rocky's son Robert last seen in Rocky Balboa

- To claim the title of World Heavyweight Champion, Donnie soundly defeats Danny "Stuntman" Wheeler once again played by real-life boxer Andre Ward returning from Creed

- Ludwig Göransson's excellent musical score builds upon themes he established in Creed and continues to use Bill Conti's Rocky themes in thoughtful and powerful ways; although understandable, it's slightly disappointing that Göransson did not use any of Vince DiCola's music from Rocky IV for the Ivan Drago


SUPPLEMENTAL STUFF
- Video: Ari Lennox "Shea Butter Baby"


007 CONNECTIONS
- Dolph Lundgren (Venz in A View to a Kill)


MCU CONNECTIONS
- Wood Harris (Officer Gale in Ant-Man)

- Sylvester Stallone (Stakar in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)

- Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder, and The Marvels)

- Michael B. Jordan (N'Jadaka/Erik "Killmonger" Stevens in Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)

- Florian Munteanu (Razor Fist in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings)

Creed

CREED
2015 | Dir. Ryan Coogler | 133 Minutes

"You belong in here. They don't know what you've been through, and they sure don't know what we've been through."

Adonis Johnson, the son of former boxing world champion Apollo Creed born out of wedlock, is driven to brawl his entire life. A self-taught boxer eager to fight professionally but reluctant to take on his father's name or legacy, Donnie forgoes a life of luxury in Los Angeles to seek out Rocky Balboa in Philadelphia, his father's friend and another former champion, for formal training. Donnie and Rocky quickly form a close bond, but when the inexperienced Donnie receives an opportunity to fight the current world champion, tragedy strikes Rocky.

Creed is a phenomenal film that can be seen as an astoundingly natural extension of the Rocky film series, but more importantly it stands on its own merits. With the touching moments, the epic training montages, the tense boxing matches, and the sort of ending one would expect from a Rocky film, Creed falls in line with the themes and familiar trappings established in Sylvester Stallone's Rocky. Where the picture finds its own identity is its focal point set on the story of a young man who fights for his own integrity separate from the preconceived expectations others may have of him based on his lineage. While events from previous Rocky films are mentioned in passing, they are in no way required viewing to appreciate the emotional impact of this feature. Director Ryan Coogler helms the film with confidence and style, utilizing long single takes in several boxing scenes and graphics highlighting each fighter's statistics before a match. Coogler also brings out truly excellent performances from the two central figures of the film.

Michael B. Jordan delivers a passionate and charismatic performance as Donnie, skillfully evoking the pain, anger, inherent kindness, and ambition of the complex character while still absolutely convincing as an actual contender that belongs in the ring. For the first time in his career, Sylvester Stallone plays his signature character with dialogue he didn't write himself. However, Stallone seamlessly returns to the role that made him a star nearly forty years ago without losing any of the character's inherent charm. In his best dramatic performance yet, Stallone brings a new layer of melancholy to the endearingly goofy champ, as old age begins to wear Rocky down. Though seemingly unlikely from the outset, the chemistry between Jordan and Stallone is genuine and incredibly moving, especially after the revelation of Rocky's deteriorating health during the final stretch of the film. Bringing dimension to the role of Donnie's love interest, actress and musician Tessa Thompson is delightful as the singer Bianca with a tragic struggle of her own. British professional boxer Tony Bellew makes for a formidable opponent to Donnie as the hot-headed world champion Ricky Conlan. The film also briefly features Phylicia Rashād in a small but vital role as Apollo's widow Mary Anne, Wood Harris as a trainer in LA who refuses to train Donnie, professional boxer Gabriel Rosado as first Donnie’s first professional opponent Leo Sporino with Ritchie Coster as his embittered father and trainer, and British actor Graham McTavish as Conlan's manager.

Like Donnie, Creed is a film that succeeds on its own strengths. It is supported, but not carried, by its famous and well-established pedigree. On its own, it is a crowd-pleasing and inspirational story of self-made success, not unlike the original Rocky.


FRAGMENTS
- While establishing a new musical identity for Donnie's character, composer Ludwig Göransson's musical score also sparingly but poignantly shares a few musical themes with Bill Conti's work on the Rocky series primarily in scenes focused on Rocky

- When Donnie first meets Rocky at his restaurant, he finds out who won the private fight between Rocky and Apollo in the last scene of Rocky III

- Part of Donnie's training regimen with Rocky is chasing live chickens just as how Mickey trained Rocky in Rocky II


SUPPLEMENTAL STUFF
- Video: Funny Or Die - Scott Stapp Reviews "Creed"


MCU CONNECTIONS
- Wood Harris (Officer Gale in Ant-Man)

- Sylvester Stallone (Stakar in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)

- Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder, and The Marvels)

 
- Michael B. Jordan (Erik "Killmonger" Stevens/N'Jadaka in Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)

Rocky Balboa

ROCKY BALBOA
2006 | Dir. Sylvester Stallone | 100 Minutes

"It's your right to listen to your gut. It ain't nobody's right to say no after you earned the right to be what you wanna be and do what you wanna do!"

A speculative computer simulated fight between current maligned heavyweight champion Mason "The Line" Dixon and Rocky Balboa at his prime determines Rocky to be the winner. While Dixon aims show the public that he's worthy champion by arranging an exhibition fight with Rocky, an old and retired Rocky, living alone after losing Adrian to cancer, is determined to step back into the ring one last time to do what he does best despite. Flying against the expectations of public perception, Rocky goes the distance in his match against Dixon.

Rocky Balboa is a second chance for Sylvester Stallone to give the Rocky film series a proper ending and, miraculously, he sticks the landing. True to the underdog story of the first Rocky film released thirty years prior, although from a radically different context, Rocky Balboa is a touching love letter to fans of the titular character offering a heartbreaking glimpse into the life of a champion still itching to compete in his later years.

Sixteen years after he last played the title character, Sylvester Stallone's winning personality shines, bringing Rocky to life once again in his best dramatic performance to date. Burt Young is as explosive as ever playing curmudgeon Paulie although his character is given slightly more depth in this film. A welcome familiar face, Tony Burton reprises the role of Duke Evers, training Rocky once again as he once did in Rocky III and Rocky IV. Milo Ventimiglia, who has a passing resemblance for Stallone, skillfully takes over the role of Rocky's conflicted son, quietly evoking one man's struggle against the unfounded expectations to live up to his famous father's insurmountable legacy. With a cautious air of tenderness, Geraldine Hughes plays Marie, a minor character returning from the first Rocky film with a significantly expanded role as Rocky's new friend and confidant. Pro boxer Antonio Tarver plays Mason "The Line" Dixon in a competent and natural performance that doesn't require much acting experience.

Genuinely inspirational with a strong emotional core, Rocky Balboa is an excellent companion piece to the first Rocky film, and the perfect ending to the Rocky film series.


FRAGMENTS
- Spider Rico, Rocky's opponent in the opening scene of the first Rocky film, is featured in a brief scene where Rocky gives him a job at his restaurant

- As cited in the film, the computer simulated fight between Rocky and Dixon was inspired by a simulated fight between Muhammad Ali and Rocky Marciano in 1970

- The match between Rocky and Dixon was shot in high definition and styled to emulate a real life pay-per-view boxing event

- Composer Bill Conti's musical score makes extensive use of music from past Rocky films and a brand new version of "Gonna Fly Now" during Rocky's training montage 


MCU CONNECTIONS
- Sylvester Stallone (Stakar in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)

Rocky V

ROCKY V
1990 | Dir. John G. Avildsen | 104 Minutes

"Get up you son of a bitch! 'Cause Mickey loves you!"

Due to a series of poor financial decisions unbeknownst to Rocky, he is stripped of his fortune, sending him and his family back to the mean streets of Philadelphia. Tommy Gunn, a young fighter with big dreams seeks Rocky out to train him to be a heavyweight contender but, under the influence of a diabolical boxing promoter, Gunn quickly rebels against Rocky.

Though its heart may have been in the right place, Rocky V is a poorly-executed attempt to bring the story of Rocky full-circle. Hastily returning Rocky to his roots by way of a plot device sets the stage for a fate unbefitting a legend. While having Rocky take on the Mickey role for an up-and-coming fighter makes sense, having the hero turn his back on his family and his protégé turn against him doesn't make for a fulfilling story. While Rocky is triumphant in the concluding street fight with Tommy Gunn, a victory outside of the ring for the champ feels hollow.

Sylvester Stallone is charming as ever playing Rocky Balboa despite the film's disappointing storyline. Talia Shire and Burt Young effortlessly slip back into the roles of Adrian and Paulie. Burgess Meredith appears in a flashback as Mickey, once again offering Rocky words of wisdom in a time of need. Pro boxer Tommy Morrison plays the ambitious Tommy Gunn in a competent but unremarkable performance. Thinly-veiled Don King caricature George Washington Duke is played by Richard Gant with scenery-chewing gusto. Sylvester Stallone's real life son Sage plays Robert Balboa Jr.

Rocky V is a disappointing sequel and ultimately an inappropriate ending to the story of Rocky Balboa. The film is out-of-touch and unworthy of the film series' storied legacy.


FRAGMENTS
- In an odd and incredibly noticeable instance of discontinuity, the film begins immediately after the events of Rocky IV in which Rocky's son is played by child actor Rocky Krakoff who was nine years old at the time, while in Rocky V he is played by Sage Stallone who was fourteen at the time, in effect aging the character five years during Rocky's time in the Soviet Union

- Tommy Gunn's first fight takes place in the same location as the opening scene of Rocky where Rocky fights Spider Rico

- Rocky was written to die after his fight with Tommy Gunn in the original draft of the Rocky V screenplay but the head of the studio refused to have the hero die on screen (CBS Philly)

- Pro Boxer Michael Williams played Tommy Gunn's title match opponent Union Cane


MCU CONNECTIONS
- Sylvester Stallone (Stakar in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)


007 CONNECTIONS
- Dolph Lundgren (Venz in A View to a Kill)

Rocky IV

ROCKY IV
1985 | Dir. Sylvester Stallone | 90 Minutes

"If I can change, and you can change, everybody can change."

While participating in a politically-charged exhibition match against monstrous Soviet boxer Ivan Drago, Apollo Creed is brutally beaten to death. Feeling guilty for refusing to answer Drago’s initial challenge, and motivated by his desire to avenge Apollo, Rocky travels to the Soviet Union to face Drago in the ring before the eyes of the world.

Clocking in at a brisk 90 minutes, Rocky IV is an entertaining but surreal addition to the Rocky film series. Somehow, a robot servant, a musical number featuring James Brown, and not one, but two extended montage sequences make it into the film. The first montage, occurring roughly halfway through the film, cheaply makes liberal use of footage from previous Rocky films. The signature Rocky training montage is quite on-the-nose thematically, juxtaposing Rocky's utilization of old-world methods to strengthen himself against Drago's use of state-of-the-art equipment and chemical enhancement, painting Rocky as the undisputed humble moral superhero. Consistent with the inconsistent nature of the movie, Vince DiCola's synth-heavy film score is rather outlandish and distracting, running counter to the timeless quality of Bill Conti's work on the previous three films.

Sylvester Stallone, Carl Weathers, Talia Shire, and Burt Young remain consistent in the roles of Rocky, Apollo, Adrian, and Paulie. The breakout star of the film is Dolph Lundgren in a controlled performance as Ivan Drago, ice cold and laconic until his pride takes over during his fight against Rocky. Tony Burton, who appeared in the previous Rocky films as Apollo's trainer, has an expanded role training Rocky in honor of his fallen friend.

Jettisoning realism in favor of sensationalism, Rocky IV takes the Rocky myth deep into the realm of implausibility. Ultimately, the film is an over-the-top Cold War era superhero film with an idealistic if over-simplistic message, placing it squarely in the so-bad-it's-good category.

ROCKY VS. DRAGO DIRECTOR'S CUT

Released in 2021, Sylvester Stallone spent about nine months assembling a director's cut entitled Rocky IV: Rocky Vs. Drago that's a markedly improved, slightly more deliberate edition of the film. While the underlying Cold War era propaganda of the picture is downplayed significantly, it still intrinsically a part of the movie, the mostly subtle changes are significant enough to give the feature more genuine emotional content. Excised are all of the scenes with the robot and most of the Rocky Jr. scenes. In their place are a treasure trove of truly excellent character moments and alternate takes retrieved from the cutting room floor that highlight Apollo, Adrian, Duke, and even Drago. More attention is paid to Apollo's motivation for wanting to fight Drago in order to maintain his pride and recognition as a fighter, Drago is afforded a few more moments that emphasize his inability to speak freely which goes a long way to give the role more humanity, and there is more dramatic Rocky and Adrian material that grant the couple a more satisfying emotional arc. The fights are structured much better in that they don't feel nearly as lopsided as in the original 1985 release, and one key alternate take featured in the final minutes removes the impression that Rocky's speech somehow moved the Soviet Politburo in any meaningful way, doing a better job of grounding the overall narrative considering the global political landscape of the time. The director's cut also features selections from Bill Conti's Rocky scores mixed with the existing Vince DiCola music, giving the picture more of a sense of continuity with the rest of the series.

FRAGMENTS
- Brigitte Nielsen, Stallone's wife at the time of the film's release, plays Ludmilla, Drago's wife and promoter

- Bill Conti was unavailable to compose the score for Rocky IV at the time of the film's development, working on music for The Karate Kid at the time

- Before becoming an action movie star after his breakout performance in Rocky IV, Dolph Lundgren attained a master's degree in chemical engineering and achieved the rank 3rd dan black belt in karate


SUPPLEMENTAL STUFF
- Video: CollegeHumor - If Rocky 4 Happened For Real (30 for 30 Parody)

- Video: The Making of ROCKY VS. DRAGO by Sylvester Stallone


007 CONNECTIONS
- Dolph Lundgren (Venz in A View to a Kill)


MCU CONNECTIONS
- Sylvester Stallone (Stakar in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)

Rocky III

ROCKY III
1982 | Dir. Sylvester Stallone | 100 Minutes

 "There is no tomorrow!"

Living in comfort and softened by a series of easy victories after becoming the heavyweight champion of the world, Rocky is challenged and soundly defeated by a true contender. Subsequently, Mickey dies from a heart attack. Picking himself up from a low point in his life and in his career, Rocky befriends his formal rival Apollo Creed, trains with him and his team in Los Angeles in hopes of regaining his title, his motivation, and his pride.

Sylvester Stallone's Rocky III takes the character of Rocky to a new and entertainingly incredulous direction. Rocky seems to have lost his endearingly humble ways, memorably playing the fool in a charity match against a pro-wrestler portrayed by Hulk Hogan and training in a luxury hotel instead of Mickey's gym. Rocky's wake-up call comes in the form of Mr. T's Clubber Lang, a twisted reflection of Rocky's journey from hungry up-and-coming fighter to world champion.

Sylvester Stallone plays up Rocky's vulnerability and insecurity, sharing some of his best scenes with Talia Shire's Adrian. By Rocky III, Adrian has developed into Rocky's emotional anchor, and Shire delivers her best performance in the series yet. Loaded with personality Mr. T is memorable as antagonist Clubber Lang, aggressively verbose and formidable, delivering an instantly iconic performance. Burgess Meredith delivers a touching performance as Mickey, his character passing away in a deeply affecting scene halfway through the film. Burt Young's Paulie is as amusingly volatile as ever, this time with an uncomfortable racist bent during the Los Angeles segment of the picture.

At times cartoonish but retaining the inspirational heart of the series, Rocky III is arguably the most entertaining film in the series. Thematically, Rocky III is centered on the belief that in order for greatness to be retained, the great must continue to learn, to improve, and to fight without becoming complacent. Though nowhere near the high standard set by the first Rocky film, Rocky III may be more of an essential part of the Rocky canon than Rocky II.


FRAGMENTS
- The film opens with an adrenaline-pumping montage of Rocky's victories set to Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" which has since become as synonymous with the Rocky film series as Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now"

- The bronze statue of Rocky at the top of the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art was donated by Sylvester Stallone to the city of Philadelphia after the release of Rocky III and is currently resides at the bottom of the stairs by the museum

- With no acting or boxing experience, Mr. T was cast as Clubber Lang after Sylvester Stallone spotted him on television in the "America's Toughest Bouncer" competition

- The woman who asks Rocky for a kiss during his public training session is played by Sasha Stallone, Sylvester Stallone's wife at the time of the film


MCU CONNECTIONS
- Sylvester Stallone (Stakar in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)

Rocky II

ROCKY II
1979 | Dir. Sylvester Stallone | 119 Minutes

"This guy don't just wanna win, you know, he wants to bury ya, he wants to humiliate ya, he wants to prove to the whole world that you was nothin’ but some kind of a freak the first time out."

Immediately following his loss against Apollo Creed, Rocky retires from boxing and marries Adrian but struggles to find legitimate employment. Meanwhile, with his pride hurting from public scrutiny stemming from Rocky's near-victory, Apollo challenges Rocky to a rematch. Rocky once again trains with Mickey to reenter the ring and prove himself.

As Rocky is challenged to prove that his going the distance with Apollo Creed wasn't a fluke, Sylvester Stallone is pressured to produce a sequel on par with the original modern classic. Though Rocky II is a decent sequel, it doesn't shine as bright as its predecessor. Rocky's true-to-life internal conflict isn't nearly as convincing this time around as his reentering the ring to face Apollo again is a foregone conclusion in order to advance the plot. Highlights of the film include a humorous training sequence in which Mickey makes Rocky chase a live chicken and Rocky's thrilling rematch against Apollo that has Rocky employing a new strategy due to an injury sustained during their previous match.

Charming and inspirational as ever, Sylvester Stallone returns to his signature role with unsurprising ease. While Adrian is developed into a stronger, more outspoken character, Talia Shire is allowed more opportunities to demonstrate her talent despite her limited screen time. Once again, Burgess Meredith continues to be a scene-stealer as Mickey, Burt Young's Paulie is as surly as ever - bordering on despicable considering his character’s treatment of Adrian, and Carl Weathers brings a surprisingly element of pathos to the role of the prideful Apollo Creed.

The picture is a natural and entertaining continuation of Rocky Balboa's story, mostly consistent in quality to the first Rocky film. However, written and produced as a straight-forward sequel with no real surprises, Rocky II inevitably lacks to originality of the original film, retreading too much of the same ground.


MCU CONNECTIONS
- Sylvester Stallone (Stakar in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)

Rocky

ROCKY
1976 | Dir. John G. Avildsen | 119 Minutes

"Nobody's ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance and that bell rings and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood."

Washed-up Philadelphia boxer Rocky Balboa is chosen by world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed to be his next opponent. With support from cranky boxing coach Mickey and his mousy girlfriend Adrian, Rocky overcomes all odds, including his personal demons, and enters the ring, taking the chance of a lifetime, and doing the impossible by going the distance against the champ.

Written by and starring then-unknown Sylvester Stallone, Rocky may be the ultimate inspirational underdog fairy tale. First and foremost a character piece, the role of Rocky was written to be a reflection of Stallone's real life struggles at the time. Seen by most as nothing more than an uneducated bruiser, Rocky's brutish exterior hides a big heart and a fierce determination to succeed waiting to be awakened. The picture features one of the most famous training montages ever filmed, the first movie sequence ever to utilize the Steadicam, with Rocky jogging through the streets of Philadelphia set to Bill Conti's iconic rousing musical score.

Sylvester Stallone drives the film with a genuinely heroic performance, playing the title role with humor, grit, vulnerability, and heart. As the shy introvert Adrian, Talia Shire conveys a quiet hidden strength, perfectly complementing Stallone's Rocky. Character actor Burgess Meredith plays Mickey with explosive energy, delivering many of the film's best lines. Brimming with style and charisma, Former pro football player Carl Weathers is expertly cast as the bombastic Apollo Creed. Rounding out the supporting cast is Burt Young as Rocky's unpleasant rough-around-the-edges best friend Paulie.

Rocky is a crowd-pleaser that tells a universally appealing story. Sylvester Stallone's star-making all-or-nothing dream project is a Hollywood classic for the ages.


FRAGMENTS
- Frank Stallone, Sylvester Stallone's brother, makes a cameo appearance as a singer on a street corner

- Boxer Joe Frazier, who famously boxed three times against Muhammad Ali (a partial inspiration for the character of Apollo Creed), makes a cameo appearance in the film

- Troma Entertainment co-founder Lloyd Kaufman, who assisted in the production of Rocky, has a cameo appearance as drunk


MCU CONNECTIONS
- Lloyd Kaufman (Gridlemop in Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)

- Sylvester Stallone (Stakar in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)

Going the Distance: Rocky

"You, me or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward."

Released in 1976 and winning several Academy Awards including Best Picture, Rocky brought Sylvester Stallone instant fame and began one of the most popular movie series in the world. With passion and conviction, Stallone wrestled with Hollywood executives to retain the integrity of his original screenplay inspired by boxer Rocky Marciano and his own real life personal struggles. Instantly iconic, often emulated and parodied, the inspiring and universally relatable story of Rocky Balboa rings true. The film transcends what most would write off as a simple boxing movie to become what is essentially a synonym for "crowd-pleasing underdog film."

The success of Rocky paved the way for five direct sequels and a spin-off film series centered on the son of Rocky's rival Apollo Creed with Stallone's Rocky as an essential supporting character. Spanning four decades of cinema history, the Rocky film series turned Carl Weathers, Mr. T, and Dolph Lundgren into action stars. Running parallel to the life and professional career of Stallone, most apparent in the fluctuating thematic focal points and varying overall quality of each film in the series, the extended saga of Rocky Balboa is American cinema's ultimate inspirational fairy tale.