Rocky 4

Rocky IV is a 1985 American film written by, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone, the fourth and most financially successful entry in the Rocky franchise. The story opens with the song "Eye of the Tiger" during the flashback of Rocky's rematch against Clubber Lang, where Rocky defeated Lang with a KO in the third round to regain his title. The picture then fades to Apollo Creed who is seen presenting his favor to Rocky shortly after the Lang fight for helping him train. Meanwhile, Ivan Drago, a highly intimidating 6 foot 5 inch, 261 pound Soviet boxer, arrives in America with his wife Ludmilla, an Olympic gold medal swimmer, his manager, Nicolai Koloff, and a team of trainers headed by grizzled Russian coach Igor Rimsky, and the Cuban Manuel Vega to challenge the best American fighters. His manager takes great pride in showing off the hi-tech equipment which aids in improving Drago's performance. As a demonstration, Drago throws punches at a machine that measures the hit's strength. Motivated by patriotism and an innate desire to prove himself, Apollo is desperate to step back into the ring in an exhibition bout against Drago. A press conference is held to publicise the bout. It begins on affable terms but the mood quickly changes when Apollo is accused of being a "has been" by Drago's manager, who suggests Creed shouldn't even be in the same ring with Drago. Livid with such a statement, Apollo loses his temper and tells Drago they'll "finish this in the ring" before abruptly leaving the conference. Drago appears completely unfazed by this. Rocky has reservations, but comes round to supporting his friend by helping to train him for the fight. Apollo sets the match between himself and Drago in Las Vegas. With Rocky in his corner, Apollo flamboyantly makes an even bigger show than when he first fought Rocky - including fireworks and a patriotic theme complete with a performance by James Brown, dancing girls and Apollo himself dancing around. Starting the fight in his trademark manner, Drago manages to catch him off-guard quickly after Apollo briefly enjoyed the upper hand, not giving Drago time to punch until late in the first round, and then he mercilessly batters Apollo with a series of devastating punches that quickly turns the tables. Apollo is in dire straits as the first round is over. The commentators and audience are visibly shaken by what they've seen, all except Koloff and Ludmilla, who - smoking a cigarette - appears to be relishing it. Rocky and Duke plead with him to stop the fight. Apollo refuses to do so, and tells Rocky not to stop the fight no matter what. The second round starts just as the first ended. Rocky attempts to throw in the towel but despite Duke's begging, Rocky honors Apollo's wish. It turns out to be a tragic decision, as Drago connects with a devastating hook that ultimately kills the former champion. Drago displays no sense of remorse, commenting: if he dies .... he dies. Devastated by the death of Apollo Creed and infuriated by Drago's cold indifference to it, Rocky comes to the decision he must avenge his death by agreeing to fight Drago in his home country on Christmas Day, but the WBA refuses to sanction the match for at least two years. In protest, Rocky relinquishes his title. Adrian pleads with him not to fight as she feels he can't possibly win. Supported by Apollo's manager Duke and his brother-in-law Paulie, he flies to the Soviet Union to train. To prepare for the fight, Drago uses very high tech equipment, including computers and special machines not available anywhere else. He is constantly monitored by multiple trainers. He is also injected with anabolic steroids, which finally tells the viewer how he was able to achieve his massive strength. Rocky, on the other hand goes completely prehistoric on his training. He throws logs, chops down trees, jogs in thick snow daily and climbs mountains. When Adrian shows up unexpectedly to give him her unconditional support, Rocky's training becomes more focused and energized than ever before. After intense preparation for both fighters, the two men finally meet in the ring. Much like Apollo did in the previous fight, the Soviets introduce Drago with an elaborate, patriotic ceremony that puts the attending audience squarely on the side of Drago, leaving Rocky to be fiercely booed. In contrast to his fight with Apollo, Drago immediately goes on the offensive, repeatedly pounding Rocky, knocking him 15 feet across the ring on one occasion, and casually shrugging off his punches. After a pulverizing first round, with Drago easily winning, Rocky comes back toward the end of the second and lands a shot that cuts Drago just below his eye. While Drago is visibly shaken by the reminder of his own mortality, Balboa is fired up, and defiantly stands up to Drago, pummeling him until, after the bell rings numerous times, Balboa is visibly pulled off his opponent. Drago punches Rocky in revenge after putting him in a headlock, and Balboa lifts up and slams Drago to the ground, their managers splitting up the fight. The commentators then said it was like a street fight. While Duke and Paulie cheer Rocky for his heroism, they remind him that Drago is not a machine, but a man. Ironically, Drago comments that Rocky "is not human, he is like a piece of iron" with his own corner reprimanding him for being "weak" in comparison to the "small American". At this point, the fight becomes a fierce battle of wills between the two boxers. Drago's confidence drops round after round due to Rocky's seemingly limitless endurance, allowing Rocky to get in under his guard and pound him relentlessly. By the fourteenth round, the previously hostile Soviet crowd has been won over by Rocky's determination and is cheering him on. Koloff, fearing retribution from the Soviet Premier, goes over to Drago and berates his performance, fiercely urging him to win and shoving his head. Drago's response is to pick up Koloff by the throat with a single hand, and adamantly proclaim that he fights to win only for himself, which in and of itself is a firm affirmation of his political and personal belief in individualism rather than communism. In the 15th and final round of the fight, Rocky and Drago trade punch after punch. Eventually, Balboa manages to overcome Drago and knock him out, to the shock of the Soviet Premier. Victorious, Rocky is swarmed as the crowd floods the ring, lifting Rocky onto their shoulders and draping him in the American flag. A bloody and battered Rocky gives a victory speech, acknowledging the initial and mutual disdain between himself and the once hostile crowd, how they've come to respect and admire each other during the course of the fight, and how everybody can "change". The Soviet Premier stands and passionately applauds Rocky and his aides follow suit, as they have no option but to also applaud Rocky for fear of backlash. Rocky ends his speech by wishing his son a Merry Christmas, and throws his arms into the air in victory as the crowd applauds.