Rocky IV

1985
View the Collection: Part of the Collection: Rocky

Rocky IV

Critics Consensus

Rocky IV inflates the action to absurd heights, but it ultimately rings hollow thanks to a story that hits the same basic beats as the first three entries in the franchise.

40%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 48

79%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 352,402
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Movie Info

Stallone is back for the fourth time (as Rocky) when an invincible computer-trained Soviet boxer kills his friend in a one-sided bout. Rocky must get ready for one more impossible bout against a clobbering cluck who probably couldn't get his own grandma to root for him. Even though there is probably never any real doubt as to the outcome, this film will likely have viewers on their chairs' edges one more time.

Cast

Sylvester Stallone
as Rocky Balboa
Dolph Lundgren
as Captain Ivan Drago
Talia Shire
as Adrian
Burt Young
as Paulie
Carl Weathers
as Apollo Creed
Brigitte Nielsen
as Ludmilla Vobet Drago
Tony Burton
as Duke
Michael Pataki
as Nicoli Koloff
Barry Tompkins
as American Commentator
Betancourth Daniel Brown
as Rocky Jr.'s Friend
James Brown (II)
as The Godfather of Soul
Rose Marie Campos
as Maid
Mark Delessandro
as Russian Cornerman
R.J. Adams
as Sports Announcer
Al Bandiero
as American Commentator
Marty Denkin
as Russian Referee
Lou Filippo
as Las Vegas Referee
James "Cannonball" Green
as Manual Vega
Rose Mary Campos
as Maid
Dean Hammond
as Interviewer
Rocky Krakoff
as Rocky Jr.
Mark de Alessandro
as Russian Cornerman
Sergei Levin
as Russian Ring Announcer
Sylvia Meals
as Mrs. Creed
Dwayne McGee
as Limo Driver
LeRoy Neiman
as Ring Announcer
George Pipaski
as Caretaker
George Rogan
as Igor Rimsky
Warner Wolf
as Commentator
Richard Blum
as Reporter
Ray Glanzmann
as Reporter
Patrick Pankhurst
as Reporter
Jim J. Bullock
as Reporter
Rose Dursey
as Reporter
Robert Doornick
as Sico the Robot
Craig Schaefer
as Reporter
Leslie Morris
as Reporter
Julio Herzer
as Reporter
Rolf Williams
as Reporter
Gerald Berns
as Reporter
Julie Inouye
as Reporter
Jean Thoreau
as Reporter
Frank D'Annibale
as Reporter
Jeff Austin
as Reporter
Bob Giovanne
as Reporter
Stu Nahan
as Commentator #1
Dominic Barto
as Russian Government Official
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Critic Reviews for Rocky IV

All Critics (48) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (19) | Rotten (29)

  • Say what you like about the original Rocky, at least it was about something -- a sweet pug up against the system, and in love with a dowd. Rocky IV appears to be an epic about Sylvester Stallone's penchant for self-abuse.

    Dec 2, 2018 | Full Review…

    Paul Attanasio

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • Padded with clips from earlier Rocky pictures, adding nothing to his mythic, let alone human dimensions, it lacks even the primitive suspense and crude capacity to release underdog emotions that permitted its predecessors to conquer one's better judgment.

    May 13, 2015 | Full Review…

    Richard Schickel

    TIME Magazine
    Top Critic

  • [Stallone] creates credible villains worthy of his heroic character.

    May 13, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Gene Siskel

    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic

  • This is grim and witless storytelling, and what makes it so depressing is that it hasn't improved by so much as a chemical trace since the days of the first Rocky.

    May 13, 2015 | Full Review…

    Sheila Benson

    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic

  • The new film's narrative is stripped down to essentials, which gives it an emblematic quality.

    May 13, 2015 | Full Review…

    Jay Boyar

    Orlando Sentinel
    Top Critic

  • Sylvester Stallone is really sloughing it off shamelessly in Rocky IV, but it's still impossible not to root for old Rocky Balboa to get up off the canvas and whup that bully one more time.

    Mar 11, 2008 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (48)

Audience Reviews for Rocky IV

  • Mar 02, 2016
    Taking the franchise down Rocky roads that it would not return from for 20 years, the dated antics of chapter III set the series in a carnival atmosphere that's thankfully not entirely without its blunt-force charm. Indeed, of all of the Rocky films, Rocky IV ages the worst. If the last chapter proved over-the-top and flashy, then this flag-waving exhibition epitomizes the words overblown and gaudy. Taking the Cold War to the canvas, Stallone's third Rocky sequel trades blows with ridiculousness, but nonetheless draws you into the action by repeating a successful formula and not forsaking its underdog roots. In this PG-rated sports drama, Rocky (Stallone) comes to the heart of Russia for 15 pile-driving boxing rounds of revenge after a highly intimidating 6-foot-5, 261-pound Soviet athlete (Dolph Lundgren) kills Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) in an exhibition match. By now, Stallone and Shire plow through the formulaic goings-on on cruise control, but their earnest chemistry still remains. Burt Young, long an unlikable but indelible supporting character, hits cartoonish heights here, as does Lundgren as the Italian Stallion's formidable and memorable foe, Ivan "I must break you" Drago. Still, the training and fight scenes make for as many gripping as parody-worthy moments. Bottom line: Duh, Comrade
    Jeff B Super Reviewer
  • Jan 26, 2016
    If it wasn't for the robots (WTF????), and the painfully overwritten lines of an absurdly dogmatic persuasion, then this would otherwise be nothing more than an interminable series of mildly rousing montages. There are some unintentionally funny bits though, and Dolph's "Ivan" showcases the best and worst of all Rocky's opponents.
    Super Reviewer
  • Feb 14, 2013
    Rocky IV, no doubt, has its motivational and somewhat inspirational moments during its climatic scenes, but it is knocked down by its inconsistent direction and cheesy cliched montages. This fourth installment does induce some patriotism (Cold War era) but doesn't fully satisfy or have the "eye of the tiger" 3.5/5
    Eugene B Super Reviewer
  • Oct 24, 2012
    East Vs. West. For a film capturing the angst of the cold war, Russia Vs. The United States, the film has some interesting parallels. The fight scenes are very cliche, and offer nothing new. Some of the training sequences are just...silly. There are moments of heart in this movie, but in the end, it just feels like yet another rip off of the original film. Only no where NEAR as good.
    Bryan D Super Reviewer
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