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Rocky IV
review by Zach B.
Rated PG
Studio: MGM
Running Time: 91 Minutes
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt
Young
Written and Directed by Sylvester Stallone
Retail Price: $24.99
Features: Theatrical Trailer
Specs: Rocky IV - 2.35:1 Non-Anamorphic Widescreen,
1.33:1 Standard, English 5.1 Surround, French Mono, Spanish
Mono, English Subtitles, French Subtitles, Spanish
Subtitles, Chapter Search (32 Chapters)
Ah, "Rocky IV". I have mixed feelings about "Rocky IV",
but it's enjoyable and it gets the job done well. In it
(spoiler here) Apollo Creed is killed (NOOOOOO!) by the
cold, harsh Drago from Russia. Rocky seeks vengenance of
sorts and decides that he'll fight Drago, who's, pretty
much, a giant monster. It seems tough... but can you guess
what happens? My problems with "Rocky IV" are that it sort
of seems forced. I mean, I think the story is pretty decent
and it is executed well, but you can easily predict it.
Don't get me wrong, I like it, but it was an obvious attempt
to make more off of "Rocky". Still, it's a sequel I really
can't resist, it's entertaining and I do like it. I just
felt there was something new there, but something missing.
Still, it started to mark the fall of the franchise.
Basically, "Rocky IV" is more of the same. A tired and true
formula with some new aspects to make it worthwhile in the
end.
"Rocky IV" is in non-anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen,
and a full frame transfer on the other side. Even though
it's not anamorphic, it's as good as non-anamorphic
presentations gets. Detail is very, very good, colors are
well saturated and there's not that much grain or dirt to be
found. If it was anamorphic, perhaps, it'd be near
reference. Shimmering is also kept to a mininum. Despite the
lack of anamorphic enhancment, it's really sharp with a lot
of clarity.
With an English 5.1, Spanish and French Mono; plus
English, French and Spanish subtitles, "Rocky IV" has very
good 5.1. The music sounds particularly good through the
channels with good surround use to really capture the
essence of the movie. The fight scenes as well as the crowd
cheers are a lot more lively, and there's really a lot more
to experience in this track. Dialogue is clear and
hiss-free, and it's a very good mix with good surround use,
it fits it perfectly.
The enjoyable Theatrical Trailer.
Nice 5.1, very good non-anamorphic transfer and a
trailer... the choice is yours. Own this sequel or pass.
 (3.5 - NOT included in
final score)
 (4/5)
(4/5)
 (.5/5)
 (3/5,
NOT an average)
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