A FIGHTER. A LOVER. A LEGEND. THE GREATEST CHALLENGE. 

Heavyweight champ Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is challenged by a young, very aggressive fighter (Mr. T) and fails to see that the right attitude plays a huge part in winning…

Much like Rocky has been shaped by wealth and success, this is a very slick chapter in the franchise where Stallone as director knows what works. The bouts are exciting and the training montages highly effective; the soundtrack plays a key part.

Mr. T and Hulk Hogan are entertaining as Stallone’s opponents in the ring, but the film relies too obviously on a formula where Rocky basically learns the same lesson Creed did in the first film.

1982-U.S. 99 min. Color. Written and directed by Sylvester Stallone. Song: “Eye of the Tiger” (performed by Survivor). Cast: Sylvester Stallone (Rocky Balboa), Talia Shire (Adrian Balboa), Burt Young (Paulie Pennino), Burgess Meredith, Carl Weathers, Mr. T, Hulk Hogan.

Trivia: Co-produced by Irwin Winkler. Real-life heavyweight boxers Joe Frazier and Earnie Shavers were considered for the part of Clubber Lang. Followed by Rocky IV (1985).