It's true that I think the first two Rocky films were stronger overall, but this one features Mr. T, who was a big favorite when I was growing up, so it’s hard for me to not want to give it a perfect score. The movie is perfectly watchable, and Mr. T makes an effective antagonist, even though seeing him as a bad guy bothers my inner child. Plus, Action Jackson returns, which helps maintain the familiar Rocky feel. However, this installment isn't quite like the earlier ones in terms of character development; they don’t spend much time fleshing out the people involved. The story focuses almost entirely on the fight itself, and that lack of depth makes me long for what the first two had... but it still manages to be just as uplifting and encouraging, in a way that's unique to Rocky movies. Once again, we see Rocky portrayed as someone who always has to overcome obstacles through sheer determination and effort—a hero who earns his success through hard work. It’s a kind of inspirational story that seems rare these days.

Source on TMDB