While the story started by Rocky had seemingly come to a close, Sylvester Stallone’s dissatisfaction with the fifth film — and perhaps the declining state of his own career — led him to consider bringing his signature character back for just one more fight. And thus, he returned to write, direct and star in Rocky Balboa, released 30 years after the first film.

Film critic Phoenix Clouden joins us to discuss 2006’s Rocky Balboa, the film which defied the odds to earn critical acclaim and box office success. We’ll discuss how the film handles the absence of Talia Shire’s Adrian, why it feels like a necessary project for both Rocky and Stallone alike, and where it feels the door open for the character’s return nearly a decade later in Creed.

We’ll also delve into the film’s thematic elements, such as aging and legacy. Serving as both a conclusion to Rocky’s story and a fresh entry point for a new generation, we’ll discuss how Rocky Balboa encapsulates the film’s message of perseverance. Join us for an engaging discussion celebrating the enduring spirit of one of cinema’s most beloved characters.

With Rocky IV taking the franchise to new commercial heights, the film represented, in some ways, the biggest victory yet for both writer/director/star Sylvester Stallone and his fictional counterpart. However, that success — which saw the scale of the franchise expand to international levels — might have set unfair expectations for the future.

Enter Rocky V. On one hand, the return of the original film’s director, John G. Avildsen, signaled a return to Rocky’s roots as an underdog, as the champ finds himself back in the neighborhood and searching for relevance. But audiences and critics at the time didn’t appreciate this seemingly more downbeat approach, perhaps sensing the magic of the series was missing.

Pete of Middle Class Film Class joins us to discuss what was once intended as the finale of the Rocky series, 1990’s Rocky V. We’ll discuss whether the film deserves its lackluster reputation, how it inadvertently sets up subsequent movies, and why the surprise addition of one cast member carries so much weight. So lace up those gloves and join our discussion.

If Rocky III marks the promise of how the franchise could grow beyond the championship belt, then the next film arguably shows its limitations. With star Sylvester Stallone again serving as writer and director, Rocky IV sees the iconic cinematic hero facing his most devastating blow yet, sending him all the way to Russia to represent his country on a quest for vengeance.

Ryan Luis Rodriguez of One Track Mind joins us to discuss 1985’s Rocky IV, a film that remains the biggest worldwide box office hit in the Rocky/Creed franchise. We’ll discuss why the film is the most dated installment of the series, how it underutilizes one of its most charismatic stars, and the 2021 release of Stallone’s Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago – The Ultimate Director’s Cut.

Although Rocky IV has more than its share of defenders, this is often the point where many film franchises start to falter. With an established storytelling formula and a generally intimate focus on a handful of main characters, how does Rocky IV manage to keep the title character in the cinematic ring? And where does it key up the 1990 flop that was Rocky V?