I’ve been working my way through the box set of the first five movies (I’ve seen all but V, which I don’t yet have the stomach/heart for), and would rate them as they were made (I, II & III equal, IV). IV would have been equal to III, I think, except for about 1.5 seconds where we see Drago being injected with steroids - I thought it was a terrible thing to include which undermined the great scenes around it of both fighters working their guts out in training.
At first when I saw the ad for VI, I rolled my eyes, but seeing even some reviewers giving it the thumbs up, means I’m looking forward to it, although I’m not going to set myself up for disappointment.
I’m giving Salone credit for not making another laughing stock.
The theater was even sold out the first night I went. I think people are finally starting to admit that they enjoy the Rocky story for what it is. Even if it is not original, no one does an underdog story like Rocky.
Anyone else had the audience adtually cheer for Rocky during the movie?
There’s no way around it. . .the guy might be cheesy and weird, but he knows how to get one’s emotions up. That’s a lot more than a LOT of filmmakers can say nowadays.
For instance, I feel a much stronger connection with his characters than, say, anyone who died in the proficient X-Men 3 this year.
Two other things I liked that haven’t been mentioned. . .the piano lightly playing the theme throughout the movie.
And, the “girlfriend”. She did an excellent acting job.