Friday 20 January 2012

Rocky III

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Year:1982
Country of origin:USA
Director:Sylvester Stallone
Genre:Camp boxing movie
Starring:
Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers, Mr T.
Rating:3/5
IMDB link:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084602/
Tagline:A Fighter. A Lover. A Legend. The Greatest Challenge.
Favourite line:Interviewer: "What's your prediction for the fight?" Clubber Lang: "My prediction?" Interviewer: "Yes, your prediction." Clubber Lang: "Pain!"

So, the inevitable deterioration in quality begins with this, by far the most commercial of the series to date, though that is not saying it is a bad film - it isn't - just that the gravitas and emotional core have been stripped away.
The formula is well established and this stays true, with the exception of throwing in a couple of extra fights to keep the slavering hordes happy.
You know the rules - sequel equals more action, and to this effect we have a rather silly charity bout between Rocky and the world wrestling champion 'Thunderlips'(!), played by the physically imposing Hulk Hogan.
It's all a bit lame, but entertaining nevertheless.
The meat of the movie regards the rivalry between Rocky and a new opponent on the block, Clubber Lang, played in a magnificently OTT fashion by the unparalleled Mr T. Brash, arrogant and sure of his superiority he challenges Rocky to a match, which Rocky duly accepts when he discovers that the ten opponents he has defeated since beating Apollo Creed have been hand picked to ensure victory. I'm not going to spoil the rest of the movie for the twelve or so people yet to see this, but suffice to say that the last thirty minutes of this movie is effectively the first two movies condensed into one.
Yes, it's still good fun to watch, and yes Sylvester is still great in the title role,. but some of the magic has gone.
Good, but not essential as the first two were.

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