Rocky III – Review #22

And here we see the continuing saga as Rocky fights his hardest opponent yet…the economy!

Rocky III, again directed by Stallone himself, starts 3 years after the second one left, with Rocky and Apollo beating the living daylights out of each other (Why do I have a feeling of deja vu?). Of course, he’s able to retain his title, but as the new No. 1 contender Clubber Lang, played by the ever so charismatic Mr. T, starts to prove dangerous to his reign, Rocky must train even harder to prove who is the best.

Right from the get go, the feel of Rocky III is different from the first two. It definitely feels more cheesy than the other two, and I like it. Rocky is not an underdog anymore, he’s the champion now, so I’m glad Stallone didn’t just somehow make him become an underdog again. Rehashing does not equal to a good film, usually. Speaking of Stallone, his physical appearance has improved significantly. I mean, look at those abs! He didn’t have those in the last one, that’s for sure.

Speaking of Stallone again, his acting has also significantly improved. His delivery is much more smooth-well, as smooth as a 191lb boxer can be-, and the emotions he feels are much more noticeable. In particular in SPOILER Mickey’s death scene, Rocky actually cries like a normal person would given the same circumstances, and I applaud him for that.

Carl Weathers also has a more prominent role this time ’round, and of course, he’s as charismatic as ever. Mr. T, who will become famous due to the A-Team, does not try to fill Apollo’s shoes, and instead is his own kind of antagonist.

The score is again rehashed, but as I said, don’t fix what’s not broken. And with the now iconic Eye Of the Tiger by Survivor, this is the Rocky series’ most recognizable soundtrack yet.

If I have anything bad to say, it’s that the end fight felt quite a tad short. Granted, Rocky knocking down Lang in the third round is used to prove a point, but I can’t help feeling that I missed out on something.

In the end, Rocky III is not like the other two, but given for what it is, you can get SO much more lower than it is.