Ding! Ding! We are at our 4th round in the Rocky franchise and in "Rocky IV" we see the Italian Stallion return to fight his opponent, Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) in an action-packed journey. The movie begins with a seamless transition from "Rocky III" as the opening scene plays "Eye of the Tiger." Meanwhile, in a display of iconic imagery, two boxing gloves collide like missiles, the left glove representing the USA and the right glove representing the Soviet Union alluding to the real-life tensions of the Cold War during the release of the film in 1985.
The Central Conflict
The central conflict emerges with Ivan Drago, a Soviet giant and the strongest opponent in the entire "Rocky" franchise attempting to prove his dominance in America. Drago is shown on TV requesting a fight against Rocky Balboa to introduce Drago to American boxing. He calls out Rocky because he is an American hero and is the ultimate test of strength. Meanwhile, the one listening to the TV is not Rocky, but instead Apollo and he is visually upset about the comments and demands Drago made on TV. Rocky and Apollo are both happily retired living with their families and far removed from boxing. Rocky and Adrian hear about the fight and have little to no interest competing against a fighter in their prime at this stage in Rocky's career. Apollo, however would not let Drago talk negatively about the impeccable art form of American boxing that he helped create, thus the patriotic Apollo Creed would step out of retirement of 5 years to compete on behalf of his country. Drago and Apollo would agree to an exhibition match, however, due to unforeseen escalation in tension, the result of the match would be tragic; Apollo's death in the ring.
Rocky Rises Again
With Apollo gone, Rocky is back in the ring, facing loneliness and grief. Devasted by the loss of his best friend, Rocky faces a dual challenge - to avenge Apollo's death and to defend the honor of American boxing against a super-human. Rocky challenges Drago to a fight in Russia on Christmas Day. Driven by raw determination, Rocky begins his most intense training workout in the entire franchise. The memorable training montage showcases Rocky's natural grit and power against Drago's advanced technology and steroid-droven preparation.
Striking Soundtrack
"Living in America" by James Brown, "No Easy Way Out" by Robert Tepper, and "Burning Heart" by Survivor are a mix of powerful beats and soulful melodies that add to the effects of the overall film. The combination of the songs and the scenes combined is a major factor in the film's popularity. In fact All of these songs are on my personal playlist!
Beyond the Ring
As you can tell through the first three movies, the Rocky series is much more than just boxing. "Rocky IV" helps solidify Rocky as a symbol of toughness, ambition, and determination. Rocky competing against Drago in honor of Apollo is a true testament to resilience and the triumph of human spirit. Furthermore, key supporting figures like Adrian and Paulie gain more importance as the film continues. Rocky IV has become a favorite among fans, especially Americans for its sense of patriotism. While many Rocky enthusiasts argue over the top Rocky film, (with II-IV being commonalities) Rocky IV's weighty themes make it a tough one to argue against for the coveted top spot.
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