No consensus: the combined training sequences, Drago–Rocky round two, and the larger fight/entrance sequence each received support.
In the discussion (12)
- The two training sequences together were the advance favorite and one final choice.
- Creed’s “Living in America” entrance was nominated for James Brown, Drago’s confusion, and Apollo’s showmanship.
- The full Drago–Creed fight was nominated, including the nicknames, glove touch, “throw the damn towel,” and “if he dies, he dies.”
- The “you can’t win” confrontation with Adrian was nominated.
- The Lamborghini “No Easy Way Out” montage was nominated.
- Duke’s “Apollo was like my son” training speech was nominated.
- The first old-school-versus-high-tech training sequence was nominated.
- The second training sequence, with the mountain climb and “no pain,” was nominated.
- Round two of Rocky–Drago was nominated for “he’s cut,” the tackle, and “he’s a man.”
- Round fifteen was nominated for Drago’s collapse, the crowd turn, and “he’s chopping the Russian down.”
- Rocky’s final speech and Gorbachev slow clap were nominated.
- One host chose the nine-minute training and Adrian sequence; another chose the second round.
Drago’s minimal dialogue, Rocky’s clothes, Paulie’s arc, the training contrast, montage density, opening credits, and Ivan Drago himself were praised.
In the discussion (14)
- Drago’s six terse English lines remain iconic.
- Rocky’s oversized jacket was praised.
- Rocky wearing Cobra-style aviators to Apollo’s funeral was enjoyed as a specific mid-1980s choice.
- Rocky’s Hugo Boss sweatshirts and Scorpion-like robe were praised.
- Paulie’s arc from threatening brother-in-law to essential cut man was praised.
- Adrian’s snake-shaped watch was singled out as exceptionally gaudy.
- The natural-versus-steroids training montage remains effective despite its irony.
- James Brown’s credit as “The Godfather of Soul” was enjoyed.
- “Living in America” was reported as Brown’s first top-40 single in eleven years and the last of his career.
- The film’s high-tech sports equipment looked ahead of its time.
- Nearly 32 percent of the movie was reported to be montage.
- Apollo’s later-unacknowledged son aged well because it enabled the Creed continuation.
- The exploding Soviet and American gloves made the opening credits immediate and memorable.
- Ivan Drago’s lasting screen presence was chosen as the strongest aged-best element.
Splintered patriotism, recycled footage, TV-delivered bad news, robot sexual jokes, reduced death impact, poor officiating/training, accents, continuity, and the Stallone–Nielsen relationship were discussed.
In the discussion (15)
- The film’s uncomplicated patriotism felt less relatable in 2020.
- Opening another sequel with recycled footage from the prior Rocky was criticized.
- Characters discovering major news by accidentally seeing it on television felt dated.
- Paulie’s sexualized robot dialogue was the central robot problem.
- The robot itself was defended as essential mid-1980s texture and as a nod to Stallone’s son.
- The hastily made Sports Illustrated and magazine covers looked sloppy.
- Apollo’s death has less shock on repeat viewings than it did in 1985.
- Drago repeatedly hit Apollo after the bell without sanction.
- Rocky’s pre-fight coaching gave Apollo no useful boxing advice.
- Rocky froze with the towel while Apollo absorbed extra punishment.
- Brigitte Nielsen’s Russian accent was criticized.
- Adrian initially refusing to accompany Rocky to Russia was criticized.
- The anonymous color commentator was treated as a weak replacement for a recognizable boxing voice.
- Apollo’s boxing gloves disappear between cuts before his exchange with Drago.
- The Stallone–Nielsen relationship and rapid marriage/divorce became distracting production context.
Michael Pataki, who plays Drago’s handler Nikolai Koloff, was the choice.
In the discussion (1)
- Pataki was recognized from Night Shift and many other character roles.
Carl Weathers was selected, affectionately, for going all in during his limited remaining screen time.
In the discussion (1)
- Weathers was praised for dialing up every scene before Apollo’s death.
The panel split between Marianne Creed and James Brown, with each receiving a strong case.
In the discussion (2)
- Marianne Creed was praised for perfectly selling love, confusion, and terror in a few reaction shots.
- James Brown was chosen by another host for a complete vintage performance and Apollo fist bump.
Stallone’s 1985 global stardom was the clearest apex; Cold War cinema, Dolph Lundgren, Warner Wolf, Barry Tompkins, Vince DiCola, sit-ups, wet-blanket wives, robots, and montages were also assessed.
In the discussion (14)
- Rocky IV plus Rambo: First Blood Part II made 1985–86 Stallone’s apex.
- Rocky IV was considered a Cold War movie apex candidate, with Red Dawn preferred by one host.
- Dolph Lundgren was treated as an apex case.
- Survivor’s apex remained Rocky III because “Eye of the Tiger” was the larger phenomenon.
- Warner Wolf’s local influence and “let’s go to the videotape” catchphrase made this an apex case.
- Barry Tompkins was treated as being at his announcing apex.
- Vince DiCola was treated as an apex case.
- The hayloft and fire-lit sit-ups were called an apex for movie sit-ups.
- The Russian anthem lost to The Hunt for Red October and earlier wrestling or game uses.
- Adrian was argued as an apex sports-movie wet-blanket wife.
- Tony Burton was treated as an apex case for Duke’s expanded role.
- The robot lost the 1980s-robot apex to alternatives including Terminator and Johnny 5.
- The film’s foreboding synthesizer music was considered an apex case.
- Rocky IV was selected as the apex for 1980s movie montages.
A ten-episode Netflix remake was rejected; Quibi was joked about instead.
In the discussion (1)
- The panel did not want a serialized remake.
The bloody “throw the damn towel” towel became the preferred collectible; the snake watch, Cobra aviators, robot, gloves, trunks, robe, and treadmill were alternatives.
In the discussion (3)
- The snake watch and Rocky’s funeral/Cobra aviators were proposed.
- The bloody towel was the strongest choice if it could be authenticated.
- The robot, gloves, trunks, James Brown robe, and treadmill were other candidates.
Ivan Drago/Dolph Lundgren won; “America” was raised as an alternate before the panel converged on Drago.
In the discussion (2)
- Dolph Lundgren’s unproven arrival and indelible villain performance were the main case.
- The United States was proposed as a thematic winner, but Ivan Drago became the shared final answer.
Most Rewatchable Scene
