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Thanks! Christie was notoriously picky about adaptations of her works. If she were alive to see this she'd have a few words for Branagh, I'm sure.

4:00 given up

I mean, I can respect your take on this, but the first four movies are literally him trying to do it on his own, getting discouraged and almost giving up, and somebody, usually Mickey or Adrian, helping him get his heart back. And then, only after that does he stand up and believe in himself and focus enough to win the day. It's literally his personal arc in almost every film. If his own inner drive was enough, he wouldn't have been a broken down bum at the start of the first movie. Mickey even calls him on it in the first movie. Rocky has always needed the extra push and support to rise to the top.

I am glad you enjoyed it more than I did.

And a belated Happy Easter to you!

It was a pretty bland 2 hours of my life.

Wow, that is a really cool, and heartbreaking response. I'm sorry about your dad. I've gone through that kind of thing a few times. Watching someone you love fade away is one of the hardest things in life. And I'm glad you guys could enjoy movies together. Those memories, and the films that bring people together, are really amazing treasures. I remember meeting Walter Koenig at a tiny comic convention. It was right after he had lost his son, and you could see the weight crushing him. I happened to see him standing alone on a balcony just off the main auditorium, and he looked so alone, so small, so hurt. I didn't want to intrude, but I knew I had to tell him something. So, I walked over and respectfully said, "Mr. Koenig? I just wanted to let you know that when I was growing up my mom and I never agreed on anything. We fought all the time. But the one thing we could always agree on was Star Trek. And I want to thank you for being a part of that. It helped us talk, and learn to see each other." And he looked up at me with those sad eyes and for a moment there was a smile, a twinkle, and a small tear as he said, "Thank you. I never get tired of hearing things like that. It means a lot to me." And then he asked if I wanted a picture with him and laughed as he pretended to lift my kilt as the shutter clicked. So, I can see where the Drinker is coming from when he thinks his favorite heroes are being devalued. I feel like that a lot with some of these sequels, etc. I just felt this time he got it...not necessarily "wrong", but that he missed an important component of the character we both love. But then again, movies are different for everyone. Even different for the same person when they watch them years later. And that's part of the magic. I hope you find a way to experience that and give another day a chance when things get rough. I've been in the dark hours myself. And I won't offer clichés. But give it a few minutes and find the one thing that's worth seeing the light for, no matter how silly it may seem. It's worth it. Good luck. And thanks for the encouragement and feedback. Glad you liked the review.

Very glad you enjoyed the review! And thank you! You said "During Production." Did you work on the film?

Could you expound on that idea further? I'm genuinely interested.

@@hughsmoviereviews2418 I appreciate your interest, but much of what I would have to say was already said by Drinker, to which you've already provided your counters. My justification behind my position is a believe that Rocky would have matured over the course of his life to the point that he would have remembered and appreciated how his loved ones lifted him up and use said memories as a reason to cherish every day he's still alive. I see the story of Rocky Balboa, the character, as a truly inspirational story of a man finding meaning in life and fighting for it no matter what life throws at him, because he has love in his heart and the support of his friends and family, he went the distance and won. It verges on being a modern myth and that's why I was disappointed and even frustrated by Creed being a lazy rehash as well as a postmodern subversion of the mythos of Rocky, it does nothing to build on and elevate the myth of Rocky or build a different, but equally compelling one, instead happy to do what so many other franchises have done in the 2010s onward: take the likeness of legacy figures to get asses in seats and then undermine them to prop up the new, weaker characters so that they replace the identity of the IP and ultimately the audience. I struggled to enjoy Creed and dropped out halfway through Creed II, and I don't know if I'll bother finishing it. It's a monument to modernity like Star Wars, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, and Marvel before it and I'm just not interested in wasting any more time on such products with the meager hope that they'll meet or exceed the originals' value.

I guess I can see your point. But to my mind, we have seen repeatedly that without his loved ones he will always lose. Is it so hard to believe that when Rocky has no one outside of himself to fight for that he would lose heart? Isn't that always Rocky's arc? Lose heart, a loved one gives him back his heart, and then he wins the day? So what happens when a man like that has no one left to fight for?

By the way, Creed 3 is probably the first real "Creed" movie of the series. It's the first time Adonis has his own story and not just mirroring an old Rocky flick. It's not perfect, and I know Majors has gotten himself into some trouble, but there's a genuinely interesting dynamic in that movie that's different from any other Rocky movie, and some darn good acting and directing. It could be better, and I know there was drama with Stallone that kept him from coming back, but I think it was better for Jordan and company to get their first real "Creed" movie without Rocky's shadow. As much as I love the Rocky movies, trying to make a true Creed flick while Stallone is constantly trying to be the center of attention? It was never going to work. But yeah, Creed 2 sucked. The second I heard he was going to fight Drago's kid I rolled my eyes so hard I'm lucky I didn't go blind.

@@hughsmoviereviews2418 I was annoyed among other things by Creed II's characterization of Drago going against how he developed in Rocky IV where he went from being a machine for Soviet propaganda into defying the politburo and fighting for himself, even showing reverence to Rocky after the fight was over. You're telling me now that his being bested by Rocky destroyed his reputation even after the fall of the Soviet Union to the point that he swears vengeance? It's so cartoony that it makes the already over-the-top Rocky IV look as subtle and intelligent as Rocky I.

Darn right!

Thanks! I work pretty hard on the research and writing. glad you enjoyed it!

Thank you! I try to be reasonable. If people are passionate about film, then that's great, even if they passionately disagree with me.

Agee totally. Very good points!

What?

So glad you liked the review! And very happy the movie brings up some great memories. When I think of these actors I think of a lot of things, but this is the first one I think of for Julia...Other than Overdrawn at the Memory bank. ;) All it took was this one performance to make him one of my favorites. What films do you think of, other than this one, when you think of these actors? And if you think of someone who would like this review, please spread it around. Always happy to talk to another Addams Fan.

So glad you liked the review! And very happy the movie brings up some great memories. When I think of these actors I think of a lot of things, but this is the first one I think of for Julia...Other than Overdrawn at the Memory bank. ;) All it took was this one performance to make him one of my favorites. What films do you think of, other than this one, when you think of these actors?

May the Breen ever shine upon us. I await his next opus with baited breath.

@@hughsmoviereviews2418 May his chaotic wisdom ever inspire us!

@@graduator14 Amen and amen. Peace be unto the Breen and all who follow him. ;)

Breen bless us, everyone! 🙏

Thanks for the support! I'm trying to stay positive and work my way through the process of a new format and we'll just have to see what happens from here. Hope you enjoy the new videos.

I think the drinker isn’t the worst on this, but I think a lot of general audiences feel the same way as him to see the goodness in their favorite movies rather than the full thing. I don’t hate him and see the appeal, but it’s pretty understandable when you think about where he is coming from. Though calling him a critic is just to me not really right, I think it’s just a guy who reviews movies like an average person with nostalgia, cultural, and cynical lense rather than through actual deconstruction and examination of the material as a critic is supposed to do.

I think the character to pull him out should have been his son. I really don’t like how in the Creed movies Rocky is a depressed old man with a severed relationship with his son, because at the end of Rocky Balboa he had seemed to turn over a new leaf in life and in his relationship with his son. I would have rather they just didn’t bring the character back since Rocky Balboa was the perfect send off

@bobafett6114 Rocky is a boxing series after the first one. I think the point is that his son just isnt a boxer so they had to make a reboot with boxing in mind. It wouldmake no sense for his son to be the focus. I do think he should have at least been in it though.

@@RayValdezPhotography I sort of just wish no movies were made after Rocky Balboa because since they obviously needed to center it around boxing they sort of just threw Rocky’s son to the bench

Rocky is a masterpiece. It not only defined a genre, it redefined it before it even existed.

@@hughsmoviereviews2418 I may be wrong. I will watch it again. Tbh. I saw it on smartphone. Need to watch on TV screen. I didn't know it was written by Stallone.

U obviously didn't understand Rocky either. It's a love story about a man that love gave him a purpose. Isn't that what's the beautiful and best thing about love itself? Hyped up? Nope. Actually not given enough credit for what it really is. As an Italian American growing up in a bigger city than Philadelphia this movie resonated with me and I could identify with him, the way he lived, the crowd he worked for as a juice collector. When that movie came out I was a little kid and maybe I didn't understand its subtle nuisances like I now do as an adult. I grew up in an Italian neighborhood where pride and respect means everything in life and when u add true romance and love to the mix then anything is possible. And it is. Hyped up movie? Donnie, ur out of ur element 👍

@@petertomasetti3338 The movie really is underrated these days. Most folks now see it as just another sport's flick, when it is so much deeper than that. The entire story is of a man trying to deal with lost dreams and the fear of being a chance to achieve those dreams. Whether it's being afraid to step up and fight Apollo when given his shot because he knows he's "just a bum," or how he's so forceful in some parts of his life, but becomes a shy boy with a crush when he's around Adrian. It's such an amazing movie and I learn something new about the characters every time I watch it.

@@user-vg1nc7gx8u Is it not great? Remember, when this movie first came out no one had ever seen something like this before. A character study love story couched in philosophy and presented as an underdog sport flick? It gave us what we now think of as tropes, but for the time, they were entirely new concepts for western audiences. Greek mythology and eastern culture had their parallels, but this was something new that moved genres, pop culture, and filmmaking forward in a way that revitalized an entire industry and changed the way we thought of not only film, but the sport of boxing. But maybe I'm too much of a fanboy. What are your thoughts?

I think Drinker came from a genuine place. I just think he missed the deeper points of the character.

Thanks much! I'll check out your review and see where we're agreeing!

have a good one, buddy. 😉

Someone didn't take notes then.

I wish we had as well. It's always fun to watch movies with you.

It is a worthy addition to the series. I hope you get to see it soon. And thanks for the encouragement!

I love the critical drinker! But I think you nailed it... I think Rocky IV is the worst of the four, but it is actually my favourite... when I'm down and need to pick myself up again, I always find myself thinking back to him, in Russia, using whatever came to hand to achieve it.

I'm glad you liked the review, but even more I'm glad you love the Rocky movies! Thanks for sharing your memories of these amazing films!

I don't know how so many miss that aspect of his character!

Thanks! Any requests for upcoming reviews?

on the plus side, this movie would make excellent Rifftrax fodder. That's the only way I'll ever watch it again.

Rare as hen's teeth.

Maybe, but I think my reason's are solid. But thanks for the comment.

I agree.

@@hughsmoviereviews2418 they definitely messed up by not having some explanation for his absence.

Thanks!

If the trailer is any indication I think we're in for a massive Breengasm!

Thanks! I've got some more cool stuff coming!

Ursula is one of my favorite villains, and these are some of my favorite Disney songs. so much wasted potential.

He’s just reviewing the movie cmon now

A price I was willing to pay to give it a chance, and then to warn others so they won't have to. 😉

Isn't watching films in the job description of a movie critic? Or is that an antiquated concept?

Glad you liked it and that it helped you work through the trauma 😉. Any requests for further films, upcoming or old you'd like to see analyzed?