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Rocky III (1982)

Rate: 6
Viewed: 12/03, 12/05, 6/11, 9/20

Rocky3
12/05: Rocky III isn't good anymore because there's no magic save for the montage training scene.

The wrestling match is an absolute farce that's so pointless. I'm befuddled by the sudden change in Rocky's personality when he went from a lovable dope to a uh...capitalist? That's just sad, man. Even Rocky looks bored in the movie poster.

All in all, Rocky III is a disappointing film.

6/11: Anticipating a letdown in Rocky III, the only thing I remember is that it was responsible for the introduction of the popular statue which still stands today at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The museum didn't want it there in the first place, calling the statue a "movie prop," hence shuttling it back and forth between the museum and various Philly sport stadiums. The superfight at the end is totally predictable. Of course, Rocky was going to win in a dramatic fashion. The montage training scene is nice and all, but the homoerotic moment when Rocky and Apollo hugged each other in the middle of the beach is corny.

Once upon a time, sporting many massive gold neck chains with an ample supply of "I pity the fool" one-liners, the mohawk-haired Mr. T became famous worldwide for his role in a TV sitcom called The A-Team. It would be natural for him to get the role of lifetime as Clubber Lang in Rocky III, making for an okay character.

All in all, I still hate the wrestling match in Rocky III.

9/20: Rocky III is a weird movie compared to the last two parts.

What the heck happened to Rocky? Sylvester Stallone plays a boxer who's corporate-ish with endorsements in mind. Adrian looks totally different and is also corporate-ish. Paulie is always complaining about his shitty problems. Why am I supposed to care? The focus is supposed to be on Rocky...hellooooo!

I hate the first half. The charity wrestling match between Rocky and Thunderlips looks ridiculous and is a total waste of time although it did propel Hulk Hogan to superstardom. By the way, Hulk is plain massive compared to Stallone. Then, things are better in the next half that's somewhat vintage Rocky. The training montage is okay, and I like the use of the phrase "Eye of the Tiger."

Clubber Lang is a worthy opponent, but I think Apollo Creed could beat him only if he would cease his execessive showmanship; otherwise, he'll be drained during the fight. At any rate, Mr. T and Carl Weathers give credible acting performances, but both never got along on the set, hence their real anger toward each other during the rematch.

All in all, if there's one positive thing to say about Rocky III, it produced a statue which now stands besides the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.