Rocky V (1990)

After years of training montages, marathon fights and perfectly-timed comebacks, Rocky Balboa finally hangs up the gloves (but only for 16 years). This was originally the last installment of the Rocky series and it has been an object of scorn and ridicule since its release. Universally panned as the worst film of the franchise, I had always wondered whether or not Rocky V deserved all the animosity. Having finally seen it, I have my answer.

The film picks up immediately after Rocky’s triumph over Ivan Drago in Russia. In the locker room, something is seriously wrong with Rocky. The iron-fisted soviet all but turned Balboa’s brain into mush. Doctors discover brain damage and tell the Italian Stallion that his career is over- one more fight could kill him. Upon returning to America, Rocky and Adrian discover their lives are in ruin. Adrian’s brother Paulie signed over power of attorney to their accountant, who squandered all of their money away. Their lives now in the gutter, the Balboa’s move back to the slums from whence they came.

Retaining possession of Mickey’s gym, Rocky uses it as a meager source of income. This turns out to be a blessing when a talented up-and-comer from Oklahoma named Tommy Gunn seeks Rocky out for training. Rocky guides his pupil along the road to stardom but Tommy is coaxed away by the allure of superstardom at the hands of a slimy big-time promoter. When this backfires, Tommy seeks Balboa out in an attempt to break out from under his former mentor’s shadow.

I was surprised to find myself enjoying this film for much of its runtime. Unlike die-hard Rocky fans, I liked the move away from the standard Rocky format. Watching Rocky struggle to build himself back up and deal with family issues was a breath of fresh air for a series that had become a joke. Had this film been just another road map to yet another unfathomable victory, I’d like to think that people would finally start to catch on. I mean, Balboa defeated the world’s ultimate fighter in Ivan Drago and melted hearts across the USSR. What could you possibly expect him to do next?

In all likelihood, no matter what the content, Rocky V was doomed from the start. There was nowhere further up the great chain of being for Rocky to climb, so he had to go down. Nobody likes seeing their heroes get older and fail, so I understand why Rocky’s freefall back into the slums of Philadelphia irritated so many. But character development demands some sacrifices and I think Stallone got it right by having Rocky develop a new fighter much in his own image.

Tommy Gunn is, at first, a likeable guy. He is determined and thirsty for knowledge. It’s clear that, despite the brain damage, Rocky is a pretty good teacher and trainer, ensuring that Tommy doesn’t try to jump too far too fast. Training Tommy takes over Rocky’s life and he loses touch with his son. Usually I abhor family bonding subplots but this one makes sense and it works. Rocky isn’t exactly the brightest crayon in the box so it’s understandable that he could get that kind of tunnel vision. It’s not that he’s a lazy parent, he’s just dumb like that.

Having become so close with the world of professional boxing while making the previous four films, Sylvester Stallone seems to be imparting some judgment on the million-dollar hype machine that evolved over the years. There are sleazy promoters using naïve talent for personal gain and plenty of underlings and material possessions at their disposal to lure boxers away from the noble path. It makes me laugh to suggest that boxing is in any way a noble profession but Rocky does represent the untainted side of the sport. He tries his best to instill virtue into his protégé but the snakes win out. I can’t help but wonder if this film opened a few eyes to the dark side of boxing, leading to its rapid decline in popularity by the end of the 90s. Or maybe they were as miffed as I was with the way this boxing movie ended and gave up on the sport altogether.

Rocky V is one of those rare films that completely blows it all in the last act. Up until an idiotic teacher-vs.-student street fight, this film was pretty good. Nothing overly remarkable, but at least worth watching. Then, as Tommy Gunn takes on his mentor in an attempt to prove himself the better fighter, Rocky, gives us something even better than a training montage (and by better I mean ordering filet mignon and getting chicken nuggets)- a rousing barrage of flashbacks to all of his best come-from behind moments and even a visit from the ghost of his old trainer Mickey! With that, our middle-aged hero defeats the young man for the hollowest victory of the series.

For 16 years, the remained as the last film of the series and I’m sure Stallone spent those years looking at this film trying to figure out where he went wrong. Sabotaged by a schlocky ending, Rocky V is actually a decent film. Some of the character growth elements would be recycled to better effect in the redemptive and final sequel, Rocky Balboa. It’s really your choice as to whether you want to acknowledge this rough draft of a finale or skip right over to the finished copy.

RATING: 2.25 out of 5