Rocky IV is a film made in 1985 written and directed by Sylvester Stallone. Starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers and Dolph Lundgren. A film set during the latter part of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Drago (Dolph Lundgren) is being touted by the Soviets as the ultimate athlete. Wanting to show their superior athletic achievements they wish to have a boxing match with the seasoned American boxer Rocky (Sylvester Stallone). Instead, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) decides he wants to challenge Drago in an exhibition match and exit his so-called retirement.
Unfortunately, Rocky's close friend is killed in the ring by Drago. Rocky decides to fight Drago on his on turf, the Soviet Union. He's not only for fighting for himself or Apollo but for the entire United States.
This film is a product of it's time. Very 80s and a political statement is overtly being made here. Once a franchise is in its fourth entry it's usually very lackluster. In my opinion, the third film is usually the last drop of interesting plot you can squeeze out of most franchises especially ones made during the 1980s. These days, we get more sequels or sequels that are not directly named by numbers in the title.
I was very surprised to hear Sylvester Stallone was putting together a cut of the film. This was made during the pandemic and has its own documentary. I found that more interesting than the cut of the film to be completely honest and it's worth the watch after you view the new director's cut.
So what are the differences you might ask? There are changes but nothing completely drastic.
The intro has a long sequence from Rocky 3 when he is battling Clubber Lang (Mr. T) in their final match. I'm not sure why this is needed and I don't think it is but we'll roll with the punches as they say.
The relationship between Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa is much more fleshed out here. His reason for wanting to fight this Russian is explained more fully with additional scenes and dialog. He can't give up and takes the Russian incursion here personally. He too wants to show the might of America against this invading party. This is much more in your face in this cut.
Much of the fluff has been cut such as the entire robot scene with Pauly. Everybody loved robots. I don't know what it was at this time but having this 6 foot robot with a sweet female voice was pretty funny. You didn't need it in film and it was excised. There are other little things missing here and there but this was the big one I remembered.
There is an additional scene with a boxing commission that should have been in the original cut. They won't sanction the fight in America and give Rocky some good reasons. They mention this "Drago" has not one single professional fight. His first exhibition match killed Apollo Creed. They know nothing about this man. They cannot sanction the fight and highly suggest more information is needed about him before they can proceed.
There are some further extended scenes that genuinely add to his character as a father and a husband. His wife doesn't want him to fight at all and she doesn't support him. There's an extended scene where she straight up tells Rocky he can't win against this man. Although present in the original cut this one really hits home. He's got a real battle of self-confidence along with himself doubting his own physicality.
This cut helped to humanize Ivan Drago much more than the original. During the pre-fight show Drago's eyes are wide open and bombarded by the huge spectacle he's witnessing. Lights, dancing girls and James Brown himself singing before the match. Apollo Creed strutting around decked out in the American flag. He's not used to this at all!
Furthermore, there are additional scenes where we see Drago is not the silent, superman machine he's sold as. At one point we see him about to say something important at a press conference but holds it back. He wants to speak his mind but cannot. There are several scenes like this and adds greatly to his character.
This movie has always been criticized as being a MTV (Music Television) video. There are long sections of songs with montages throughout. I think there are three if I remember correctly. I can see this criticism but I love it. I get so pumped up watching this and it always puts me in a great mood. Anyone can take on the world after seeing this.
The runtime is similar to the original. I thought this would be more of an extended version as most director cuts of films usually do this. This one was a bit different with many alternate cuts. Nothing is jarring and the assets have been upscaled very nicely. I couldn't notice the difference between all different assets and that's saying a lot based on the growing age of the film stock.
So is it worth a watch? I'd say so if you enjoy the movie. This fourth entry has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. The montages and the music really do it for me. The monster battle between these two men always had me rooting for Rocky and sitting on the edge of my seat.
Thanks for the read 🙂
All media captured by myself from the original source.
