Rocky V - not a knockout! (Rocky V (DVD))

Member Name: ChrisGeering

Product:	Rocky V (DVD)
Date:	11/06/09 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It was good to see a cameo from Burgess Meridith, who played Mickey in Rocky I-III

Disadvantages: The plot was weak and it was hard to like the new boxer Tommy Gunn

Rocky Balboa has just competed in the greatest fight of his life in the Soviet Union, and returns back to the United States with a heroes welcome. However, the brutal encounter with Drago (Rocky IV) has taken its toll on Rocky who is forced to retire from the ring due to head injuries. To make matters worse, Rocky learns that all his money has been lost by an unscrupulous accountant. To make ends meet, Rocky has to sell his home and luxurious goods and return back to his old run down neighbourhood in Philadelphia. Rocky has a chance encounter with a young up and coming fighter, Tommy Gunn, who wants Rocky to become his manager. Rocky puts his heart and soul into training Tommy, but to the detriment of his family life, where Rocky Jr. starts "going off the rails" due to lack of attention from his father. Meanwhile, Tommy rises to national prominence under the tutelage of Rocky but soon his head is turned by a shady boxing promoter who turns Tommy against his mentor. After a public taunting from Tommy, Rocky realises he must fight once more to restore his honour and also the faith of his family.

Rocky V originally appeared to be the last instalment (until the release of Rocky Balboa in 2006) and it is unfortunately the worst of the Rocky films. It is a pity that the plot had Rocky moving on to life out of the boxing ring, where he originally won the hearts of the viewer rooting for the underdog. It was also very difficult to have any interest in the new boxer on the block, Tommy Gunn, who was not a likeable underdog like Rocky, and also because he turned into a petulant upstart. The plot was also fairly weak, and it seems unlikely that Rocky (or his wife) would leave all of their financial affairs in the hands of the unreliable Paulie or a financial advisor. The main highlight was the realistic personality and general greed of the boxing promoter, who bears more than a passing resemblance to the real life promoter, Don King. It was also good to see a cameo from Burgess Meridith, who played Mickey, in Rocky I-III. Overall though, this is not a great film even for Rocky fans like me.

Summary: Not a great film even for Rocky fans