Rocky IV marks the first time a movie in the series has let me down. The film suffers from some serious issues with its tone. It attempts to tell a sad story, driven by Apollo Creed’s death, but also includes silly moments featuring a robot housekeeper. I didn't appreciate how detached things felt as a result of this. This was also the movie that elicited the fewest feelings from me. It seemed like Apollo Creed’s …

My feelings toward this film have been all over the place; I enjoyed it, then didn’t, and now I'm appreciating it once more. It’s a real push-and-pull for me. The dislike stems from *Rocky* and *Rocky II*, with just a touch of it coming from *Rocky III*. This installment seemed to prioritize the boxing match over the core narrative that defines Rocky, and like *Rocky III*, I found myself missing the emotional conn…

Choosing a top Rocky film isn’t easy, yet Rocky IV presents a strong argument for being number one. The climactic battle with Ivan Drago has a level of feeling, sincerity, and inspiration that surpasses what's found in the other installments. Considering the political tensions between the United States and Russia during that period only enhances the experience. Achieving the right tone for the final fight proved so i…