The recently-premiered Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago offers a slightly different look at the beloved franchise entry, but Rocky V needs more of a fix from Stallone than the former film ever did. The original version of Rocky IV hit the big screen in 1985, putting the series' All-American, titular sports star up against cold, calculated, and dangerous Soviet boxer Ivan Drago. The installment has since become beloved not only within the franchise, but also within creator/star Sylvester Stallone's body of movie work. Although many of the Hollywood legend's projects are widely-lauded pop culture staples, the project that followed it - 1990's Rocky V - is generally considered a bit of a dud.
The Rocky series debuted in 1976, when the world first met the franchise's namesake Philadelphia native. Coming from a hardscrabble, blue-collar background, he ascends to the rank of a respected athlete as he proves what he's made of to others and himself. The "Italian Stallion" goes through great amounts of personal and professional growth, even having a family with his iconic love interest, Adrian. In addition to internal adversity, Rocky gains new allies and faces off against different foes along the way - with Drago being arguably the most memorable.
In 2021, Stallone released Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago Director's Cut. Some notable changes include more dialogue and character explanation for Drago, extra meaningful lines and involvement for Adrian, and a different final speech from Rocky after triumphing over the film's antagonist. Interestingly though, Rocky V is the franchise entry that could have benefited much more from the release of an official alternate version. Though every movie in the series has merit and is certainly worth a watch, it's widely regarded by fans as the worst entry. Even Stallone himself has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with how the project turned out, partially inspiring him to come back and make 2006's Rocky Balboa. Rocky V does have a lost Director's Cut - a work print version that hit the internet in 2002. Still, it isn't official like 2021's Rocky vs. Drago.
In addition, Rocky V would be a better choice for the release of a revamped cut because there's a real case to be made that the installment before it never had to be touched in the first place. Rocky IV is a great sequel in its original form. Although, with how great the flick is, as well as the notable amount of acclaim it's garnered over the decades, there are reasons that make it worth revisiting. Still, a different, official alternate cut of Rocky V could add a little more meat on the bone to a piece that's already lacking in many ways.
After all, fans' most common critiques are that the film's climax is a cheesy street fight with Tommy "The Machine" Gunn, as well as how Rocky V lacks an effective villain - or any real zip. The current era of TV and movies is chock-full of reboots and Director's Cuts. There's an argument to be made that this is a symptom of fewer ideas coming out of Hollywood, but it also allows for beloved projects to be revived and infused with new creative blood. Though Rocky IV's Director's Cut certainly isn't a bad thing, a modified version of Rocky V could surely pack more of a meaningful punch for Stallone's acclaimed boxing film franchise.
