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After Samuel Edwards discussed some of the best Stallone and Schwarzenegger films of the 2010’s we decided to focus on just one Stallone movie in particular and that’s Rocky. As we ask ourselves what was the best Rocky movie?
Boxing is an ancient sport that can be traced back through the centuries.
The sport is as popular today as it has ever been with major stadiums worldwide, including Wembley in London and the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, packed to capacity.
Millions of more fight fans watch the action live on TV and bet on the outcome of fights with a major online sportsbooks like Bovada.
The top scriptwriters and moviemakers in Hollywood have always had a love affair with boxing and gambling.
Both themes were covered beautifully by the Rocky movies written and starring Sylvester Stallone.
The story of the half punch-drunk, flat broke, luckless fighter who took a gamble on himself and went on to become heavyweight champion of the world.
Stallone helped inspire a generation of fighters
The Rocky movies were so successful, Stallone was inducted into the international boxing hall of fame.
His services to the sport through those movies can’t be measured as he raised the profile of boxing and inspired thousands of youngsters to join their local amateur gym.
There’s no debating the Rocky pictures rank amongst the best sports films of all time. What there is debate over, however, is which one is best.
The Rocky franchise has produced eight movies to date, with another in the works. Of the eight, six were Rocky Balboa, with the others following the son of Apollo Creed.
For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on Rocky to Rocky Balboa, a list that contains six different movies. Which is best?
Answering that question is no mean feat, but we take a jab at it (get it?).
Below you’ll find our list of Rocky movies in order of best to worst – although worst is a little unfair.
Let’s go from favourite to least favourite.
Rocky
Released in 1976, the first one was the best one. The story of a club fighter getting a crack at the champion of the world may be a little far-fetched, but it’s the silver screen, don’t forget.
The training montage is inspiring, and the journey from scrapping for pennies in front of a small crowd to taking on the flashy and overly confident Creed is a piece of cinema history.
What we love about the first Rocky movie most, however, is the gym scenes and little underhand remarks.
They are easy to miss if you are caught up in the story, but they are realistic and, often, pure comedy gold.
The love/hate relationship between Rocky and his head trainer Mickey is a thing of beauty too.
Rocky III
Second is the third release, which is mainly down to Mr T’s performance as young upset Clubber Lang,
who is determined to get a shot at the title.
He gets his wish and beats Balboa, but only after Mickey falls ill pre-fight.
Rocky bounces back in true style to regain his title and teach his boastful, arrogant opponent a life lesson.
Rocky IV
Rocky versus Ivan Drago, America versus Russia, hard work versus science. This movie had it all and at the height of the Cold War too.
Drago, played by Dolph Lundgren, fights Apollo in an exhibition match. Who better to avenge the slaying of Creed than opponent-turned best mate Rocky.
Balboa beats Drago before delivering an impassioned speech about change and forgiveness from the centre of the ring to thousands of cheering Russian boxing fans.
Rocky II
Less real and less authentic than the first film, but still a great watch.
The training montage will have you out running miles or pounding the heavy bag.
The final fight scene is just a little too Hollywood.
Rocky Balboa
A weird one where an ageing Rocky comes out of retirement, trading his oven gloves for boxing gloves after losing a virtual fight to Antonio Tarver.
The film is saved only by Rocky’s speech in the street to an under-achieving son who has lost belief in himself.
Rocky V
A decent enough watch, but this one isn’t worthy of the title for most Rocky fans.
Rocky trains a young fighter, his own son gets jealous, the boxer leaves him, and the pair end up punching lumps out of each other in the street.
Reading that back, it actually sounds good.
