Rocky IV

Rocky IV, the 1985 film directed by Sylvester Stallone, is an iconic sequel to the original Rocky series. The movie picks up years after the events of Rocky III, where Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is experiencing a low point in his life. The film begins with the long-awaited rematch between Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), the charismatic heavyweight champion of the world, and Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), the powerful Soviet boxer. Apollo and Ivan's fight takes place in a packed Las Vegas arena, with the entire boxing world watching. However, the match takes a devastating turn when Apollo, 32 years old at the time of the fight, suffers a heart attack in the ring during the 15th round, courtesy of a ruthless combination of punches from Ivan Drago. Apollo is pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, causing worldwide shock and outrage. The news of Apollo's death has a profound effect on Rocky, who feels a deep sense of responsibility for his friend and rival's demise. Apollo's death sends Rocky into a state of depression, causing him to lose sight of his family and his relationships. His wife, Adrian (Talia Shire), tries her best to console him, but Rocky can't help feeling responsible for the tragic event. Meanwhile, Ivan Drago's victory is celebrated in Moscow, with the Soviet Union portraying him as a hero and a symbol of Soviet strength and military prowess. However, Ivan's actions in the ring have sparked international outrage, and many see him as a killer, responsible for taking the life of a world-class athlete. As the news of Apollo's death spreads, it becomes clear that Ivan Drago's involvement in the match was sponsored by the Soviet government, who saw the fight as a way to humiliate the United States and gain an edge in the Cold War. Ivan's manager, Nikolai Reshetnikov (Branko Šušnik), reveals to the Soviet government that Ivan will be a "killer in the ring," and that his actions would reflect badly on the Soviet Union. Rocky, determined to get revenge against Ivan for his friend's death, begins to train in secret in the frozen wilderness of Siberia. He faces numerous challenges, from uncooperative weather conditions to the unforgiving landscape of the Siberian wilderness. However, Rocky perseveres, driven by his desire to face Ivan in the ring and avenge Apollo's death. As Rocky trains, he receives support from his good friend, Paulie (Burt Young), who travels to Italy to train in a fight. During his visit, Pauly sees Adrian crying over the loss of Apollo and shows her that Rocky is fine. Adrian convinces Rocky to go see how she's doing while he is still recovering. Meanwhile, Ivan Drago has become a propaganda machine for the Soviet Union, paraded as a symbol of Soviet strength and dominating all of Soviet heavyweight boxers in the process. Ivan is determined to uphold the government's vision of Soviet dominance and prove that he is a superior fighter. In parallel, Ivan is warned by doctors of the risks involved in continuing boxing, particularly with the beating he takes from Apollo. After this Ivan visits the graves of the Russian heroes of World War 2 to inspire and re-assert the determination and patriotism in his performance. However, Ivan refuses to listen to their warnings and instead uses these messages to train harder. Upon Ivan's arrival at the United States for the main event in his next fight in Las Vegas, the locals become apprehensive of his aggressive behavior. Ivan takes the challenge against Apollo's ex-trainer into the light. Throughout Ivan's time in America, American media depicts him as a violent individual, fueled by malice rather than hunger for greatness. In a separate development, Ivan marries his childhood friend, Irina, who serves as his loyal and emotional supporter. Ivan has been informed by Ivan, along with his promoter, that American media portray him in a bad light but fails to mention the Soviet Union's perception which is just the opposite. When the day finally arrives for the U.S. vs. Soviet "rocky-style" challenge, a fight involving a full-sized Soviet "USSR Pride Boxing championship lineup, against the U.S. hopefuls takes center stage and U.S. pride. Despite the heavy odds stacked against them, the U.S. team refuses to give up. As the bell rings for the beginning of the match, Ivan and Rocky engage in a fierce and brutal battle in the ring, combining skill and strength in a mutual war of wills. The match is intense and highly charged, with the Soviet heavyweights imposing their power on the U.S. fighters. Throughout the bout, Rocky manages to defy widespread odds and demonstrate to the Russians his mettle, forcing the big men to admit his guts before battling it out against Ivan and beating him against all odds and Soviet favoritism. Despite his rugged appearance and in stark opposition to Ivan, Rocky demonstrates his heart and mental strength eventually claiming the victory over Ivan Drago and redefining Soviet dominance. At the end of the film, Apollo is honored at a funeral by his fellow boxers. Ivan has realized his defeat. But even more so and Ivan vows to never to enter the boxing ring ever again after seeing and appreciating the fighting spirit that Rocky depicts. The victorious Rocky stands at the ocean front at dawn, standing over his most cherished prize, having avenged Apollo Creed, with Adrian watching and his young son James running alongside him playing. Having gained some closure, Rocky turns his attention to the future. Smiling warmly at Adrian he has a daughter after whom, Adrian will be naming. The film comes to a close, and as the crowd is heard loudly cheering, Rocky turns towards the horizon as he holds his little girl's hand.