Rocky IV (DVD, 1997)

Rocky IV should have been the finale of the legendary Rocky series - not Rocky V and not any future Rocky movie that the 60 year old Stallone develops. Sure, Rocky I and II are classics - but they are more dramatic and slower-moving than IV (or even III).

In overly melodramatic fashion (and consequently with high comedy), Rocky IV pits the Russians vs. The US in typical Cold War fashion. Arriving from Russia and massively muscular (thanks to steroids and doping), Drago (played by Dolph Lundgren) challenges Rocky to a fight after defeating Apollo Creed - Rocky defies his family and his core beliefs- challenging himself to come out of retirement and take on the seemingly-undefeatable Drago. Once they enter the ring - it's a great 10 minute fight scene - blow by blow.

Highlights:
* 80s music and 80s montages... too many to recount
* Drago's wife in the movie is Brigitte Nielsen (Stallone's wife at the time) - she of course has gone over the deep end and is now with Flava-Flav
* The training montage is strangely inspirational and can be watched again and again... in fact, that montage lasts some 15 minutes
* Rocky's final speech is classic - and single handedly unites Russia and the United States... effectively ending the cold war and ensuring a peaceful existence

A couple other notes: the low point of the movie is Rocky's son - potentially the worst actor ever. That said - he provides serious comic relief in any scene he appears in.

This is the best movie of the series and a must-own. It can be watched again and again. Strange as it may seem.