I vaguely remember watching the first three Rocky films when I was somewhere around 10-12 years old. Suffice to say, I was unimpressed. Bored, even. I just wanted to watch Ace Ventura. I could not appreciate much beyond what most children expect to enjoy in films. It has been around about 25 years, and I decided it was time to give the Italian Stallion another shot. Watching this series has been on my mind for quite some time, and it made perfect sense to make a Film Club out of it. So, without further ado, wish me luck as I step into a 50-year-old ring with writer/sometime-director/star Sylvester Stallone.

Rocky (1976)
Director: John G. Avildsen
5/5

Just… wow. I forgive myself for being a stupid kid when I first saw this film, but I could also berate myself for being so ignorant in the time since. Rocky has immediately shot up to become one of my favourite films of all time. Sylvester Stallone has buckets of charm as underdog fighter Rocky Balboa, brought up out of obscurity when he’s called on to fight Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), the heavyweight champion of the world, and it is clear why he has become one of the top film characters ever created. The beating heart and tenacious soul of the film, Rocky is physically strong yet gentle and caring, conscientous yet driven, and there’s a lot to love about and take inspiration from in his conduct. There isn’t nearly as much action as I thought there would be, and even the finale fight against Apollo Creed only clocks in at around 10 minutes, but Stallone’s writing is effective enough for audiences to invest in the well-rounded characters and the story without relying on action. Along with Rocky’s relationship with Talia Shire’s Adrian (Yo, Adrian!), Stallone reaches into his characters and gently draws out very relatable and very natural characteristics. Yes, it features the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art steps scene and the Gonna Fly Now theme, but even without those, it is as solid a film as they come. I’m a little worried that the remaining films are not going to be nearly as good, and if I weren’t doing a Film Club, I might stop here on the highest of highs, but I’m also intrigued to see what happens next for Rocky.

Rocky II (1979)
Director: Sylvester Stallone
4/5

As was to be expected, this sequel doesn’t quite match the stamina of the first, but it has a pretty damn good go of it. In spite of retiring and refusing a rematch with Apollo Creed, Rocky decides his life is about being in the ring, and although now-wife and newly pregnant Adrian fears for his safety, he knows he cannot back down, not only for his reputation, but also to make money for his growing family. Not only written but also directed by Stallone, he proves his mettle as an all-round filmmaker, choosing some interesting angles at opportune moments and making use of imagery and tropes that helped make the first film so popular (insert training montage here). Rocky’s battles also start to turn internal, less bothered about what people think of him and more attuned to Adrian’s opinion. The rematch with Apollo goes on about twice as long this time, but it works as there is more at stake regarding reputation and physical health for Apollo and Rocky, respectively. With more to lose this time around, the film focuses more on Rocky’s need to keep what he has won (in life) and less on building character, so perhaps that’s where it doesn’t hit quite the same notes as the first, but it is still a solid and substantial sequel.

Rocky III (1982)
Director: Sylvester Stallone
3.5/5

Now he is very well-established, Rocky has some bigger fish to fry, especially after he finds out that his long-term trainer and manager Mickey (Burgess Meredith) has been giving him opponents that don’t give him much trouble. There is some fantastic character progression in this film, with a plausible continuation of Rocky’s story and the building of his legacy, something that is quite rare for a burgeoning franchise. The addition of Mr. T and his soon-to-be-infamous tagline (“I pity the fool!’) was pretty bad-ass, and Apollo Creed got some decent development, too. Stallone goes deeper with Rocky, and as his career progresses and changes, so do his hopes and fears. One of the things I loved most is that while Rocky is still a bit of a meathead, he retains his heart of gold. Rocky III is about 30 minutes shorter than the previous two films, and that felt like a disservice to the character. Perhaps Stallone didn’t want to stretch out material that could have felt shoe-horned or forced in, but it did feel like something was missing that the previous films had in giving more to the story. More perspective on the fame that surrounds Rocky and his personal fight to stay grounded could have added another layer to the film. To its credit, the tone is heavier and the stakes higher, it just felt like it was pulling some punches.

Rocky IV (1985)
Director: Sylvester Stallone
3.5/5

Just as we get used to having Apollo around, he up and bows out, and Rocky is in need of vengeance. Joining the ranks of Cold War-themed films of this era, it appears Rocky thought he could end the war with a fight against Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) and a few choice words to the Soviets. A bit of an egotistical turn, but I suppose if anyone could do it (especially when Superman couldn’t in his own fourth movie, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace), it was probably Rocky Balboa. With a heck of a lot more montages (apparently to fill time after much of the story was cut), flashbacks and 80s power rock, it started to feel like a musical at times (bizarrely enough, there was a Rocky musical) and was a struggle to take quite as seriously, particularly with some of the songs being rather on the nose with the plot and the amount of 80s tech that certainly seems prehistoric now (though was very advanced for the time). Thankfully, Rocky remains as steadfast in his choices and personality as ever, with Adrian refusing to back him then changing her mind as she once again realises he stands a better chance with her in his corner. In a similar fashion to Rocky III, this instalment had a lot going for it but was lacking in the story department in comparison to the first two films.

Rocky V (1990)
Director: John G. Avildsen
3/5

In what is the weakest of the series so far, Rocky goes broke and returns to his old neighbourhood to train up-and-comer Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison). It was quite refreshing to have Rocky go back to his roots and take on the role of a manager/trainer, as well as adding in his health issues after so many bouts and pummels to the head and figuring out his role as a father to Rocky Jr. (played by Stallone’s son Sage Stallone). Unfortunately, there is so much focus on getting Rocky to some kind of fight, professional or not, at the end that everything else seems to fall by the wayside. Seeing life through Rocky Jr.’s eyes provided a fresh perspective, but it went very light on Rocky’s health difficulties. There could have been many more obstacles for him to face, both mentally and physically, something that I think real fighters go through when their body starts to give in but their mentality remains as strong as ever. Rocky V may be the weakest for me so far, but it still packs a better punch than many franchises do by their fifth film. There’s still some life in this old boxer yet.

Rocky Balboa (2006)
Director: Sylvester Stallone
4/5

Sixteen years have passed since Rocky V, and a lot has changed in Rocky’s life. Rocky Jr. (Milo Ventimiglia) is an adult and an accountant, Adrian is (SPOILER ALERT) dead and Rocky is retired and running an Italian restaurant he named after Adrian (I’m holding back my tears). The decision to kill of Adrian was certainly the right one for the sake of Rocky’s character progression, as well as the themes of living in the past and being unable to let go of particular things. Speaking of which, the past really collides with the present in this film in many ways, from the style of filming to the music, the settings to the cinematography – everything seems to be at odds but in a very interesting, engaging way. Once again, Rocky really shines through, having come a long way and grown so much, including becoming a guiding light for his somewhat estranged son. He’s also trying to find some meaning without Adrian; his love for her continues to be heart-breakingly palpable, but so does his love for fighting. Without the former, he reverts to the latter, finding himself back in the ring as he is challenged by an arrogant new heavy-weight champion. Fortunately, Rocky Jr. manages to become the balance and support Rocky needs without Adrian there to provide that foundation, and on the whole this is just a very heartwarming return to the legacy of Rocky Balboa.

Creed (2015)
Director: Ryan Coogler
3.5/5

As we move into the next generation, Rocky takes on the role of training Apollo Creed’s illegitimate son, Adonis “Donnie” Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), as Donnie strives to forge his own path away from the shadow of his father and his tumultuous childhood. Creed has much the same vibe as the Rocky films, the same core values and even a similar storyline, yet it feels fresh in characters and motive. Moving away from Rocky’s storyline was a good move, but it does mean it loses something special that only the Rocky films could have. Although Donnie is the main focus and a decent lead to takeover the franchise, with his own issues to reconcile with, Rocky has a big role to play, and the film is well-balanced between the old and the new. I especially loved how Rocky is still such a sweet man in his older years despite his losses, steadfast in his morals and optimism, still a witty and funny meathead. Now that (SPOILER ALERT) he is without Adrian and seemingly estranged from his son, Rocky gets to continue on in a fatherly mentor role to Donnie. I do wish his son could have been around when the Rocky’s health takes a turn, but there was something so peaceful and emotional about him wanting to be with Adrian. Creed is as good a “handover” as there could be without going down the cliché route of having Rocky Jr. continue his father’s untouchable legacy.

Creed II (2018)
Director: Steven Caple Jr.
3.5/5

With this part of the franchise moving along with Adonis Creed, it was probably inevitable that a fight between Apollo Creed’s son and the son of Apollo’s killer Ivan Drago was going to happen. With Ivan and his son Viktor (Florian Munteanu) living in destitution in Russia since Ivan’s defeat at Rocky’s hands, they are determined to win back their honour and the love of their country, with Ivan vowing to Rocky, “My son will break your boy.” It has a grittier, darker vibe than any previous film, which makes sense for what is a more serious subject matter, but I’m not sure how I feel about Ivan being humanised when previously he was, essentially, a representation of pure antagonism with no redeemable qualities. It did make sense to have Donnie come up against Viktor as a show of vengeance for both families, and one can’t really argue with that, so I suppose it also made sense to add some depth to the character. Donnie’s personal life also continues to build naturally, just as Rocky’s did, marrying his girlfriend Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and having a baby together, though the baby inherits a hereditary hearing issue from Bianca, adding another obstacle for them to overcome. Something I did find odd is that (SPOILER ALERT) although Rocky rejected treatment for cancer, suddenly he’s now cancer-free? I was hoping he would have a peaceful passing and be reunited with Adrian (whom I only just realised in this film shares a birthday with me!), but at least we had a nice reconcilation scene with him and Rocky Jr., with a returning Milo Ventimiglia. Creed II is a decent continuation of the Creed series, and, sadly, Sylvester Stallone’s final appearance as Rocky.

Creed III (2023)
Director: Michael B. Jordan
3/5

Here we are at the (current) end, the bell about to ring! Donnie comes out of retirement to accept a challenge from his childhood friend Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors) after he comes out of nowhere and wins the heavyweight championship in his first professional fight. Once again following Rocky’s trajectory, the story doesn’t let sleeping dogs lie and puts a retired Donnie back in the ring for a reason other than pure vanity or to prove something to himself, thus not really offering much new in the way of fighting, but there’s plenty going on in Donnie’s personal life to fill the space left. He has built a solid life with Bianca, more solid than Rocky and Adrian (but with no less love and support), and the addition of their daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent) and their use of ASL makes for a more three-dimensional film. There is of course no more Rocky, and that’s ok, because if (IF) the franchise is to continue, it will have to do without him at some point. If Creed III is where it all ends, it’s a fitting end, I think. It’s not the strongest film in the franchise, but it leaves things on a good note.

For me, the Rocky series was just as much about Rocky and Adrian as it was about Rocky’s underdog story and fighting career. Similarly, the Creed series wouldn’t have been what is was without Donnie’s strong relationship with Bianca. It was quite nice to see good examples of relationships in spite of fame and fortune, as most add in some kind of cheating or affair just to add conflict. Fortunately, there’s more than enough of that in the ring, so love was able to flourish. Also, I won’t lie, I feel like I fell in love with Rocky, and much like Adrian, no matter what, I was going to support him. Perhaps that was Stallone’s aim all along with the character – to keep him as focused as possible in the ring meant having a strong support system. Both he and Donnie made it to the top because they had a solid foundation in their personal lives. The boxing matches and the testosteron-fueled war-of-words between fighters was certainly entertaining, but it’s the relationships that really make this excellent franchise what it is. It also felt like a privilege to see Sylvester Stallone, and therefore Rocky, grow older, seeing the ways they’ve changed and the ways they’ve remained the same in the 50(!) years since Rocky first took on Apollo. Not many franchises can boast such a record, let alone having consistently good-to-excellent films.