Post by ck100 on Nov 20, 2021 16:57:59 GMT
Any of you had the chance to see it yet? Been out for about a week now.
I'll keep my review more in summary form:
Is it better than the original?
Well it is more character-driven and Stallone has made this version to have more of the style and tone of the earlier Rocky films, or more specifically, the Rocky films that are serious dramas (I, II, VI) and be less of cheesy-at-times popcorn entertainment (III, IV). Of course your feelings on the film depend on how you feel about Rocky IV in general, but what Stallone has been done to this version does improve it in most areas and doesn't really hurt it.
How is it as a director's cut?
Not on the high level of something like Lord of the Rings: Extended Versions or Blade Runner: Final Cut, but certainly above something controversial like the Star Wars Trilogy: Special Editions. I'd say a good comparison would be to something like The Godfather Coda or Troy: Director's Cut off the top of my head.
So what has changed?
On the surface side of things:
-New version is PG-13 compared to the PG original. I think the ratings change is because the fights are more fierce and with a bit more bloodshed compared to how they are in the original version.
-Aspect Ratio is also changed. This version is 2:35 while the original is 1:85.
-Remastered footage looks pretty good. Slight color timing change is done, but it's only most noticeable in the snow and sky in the outdoor Russia scenes with more of a blue look. No "teal and orange" or anything controversial. The sound design has been changed with the punches and wood chops sounding more enhanced.
-Outside of additional footage, many of the scenes (and montages) have slight edits - alternate takes/line deliveries, some lines cut here and there, alternate camera angles, change in shot order, etc. Nothing the average person won't take notice of unless you've seen the movie countless times. It's done with a pretty subtle hand. The footage though from the earlier Rocky films as Stallone is driving is now black and white instead of color.
-The trailer has boasted "40 minutes of new footage!", but there's a catch. Whatever Stallone cut out, he replaces. So the running time is still 90 minutes. It's not the 90 minute original plus 40 minutes.
-While the movie is more serious and dramatic in tone compared to the original, it's still a piece of 80's cheese complete with the music, montages, James Brown, etc. that you all know and love (or hate) in the original. So you purists shouldn't be too up in arms about what Stallone has done with this version. This version is still a product of its time.
On the story side of things:
If you want a detailed list of what was changed in terms of story and characters, visit the link below (spoilers of course):
screenrant.com/rocky-4-directors-cut-stallone-changes-new-scenes/
-Yes, the robot is gone, but I don't think it's a big loss. You probably won't even think about it as you're watching the movie.
-The birthday party for Paulie and the anniversary celebration with Adrian are gone. Rocky's talk with Apollo in his white robe is gone, but some of that part does get played later in the movie.
-Movie feels more like the first half is about Apollo Creed and the second half is about Rocky. The movie's beginning is a more extensive recap of Rocky III and specifically focusing on Apollo's role in helping Rocky get the title back. Also, the movie now opens with Apollo in the pool learning about Drago. The first half is more about the relationship between Apollo and Rocky and Apollo trying to convince Rocky to help him train to fight Drago. A new scene in Rocky's backyard has Apollo trying to do more convincing to Rocky. A new scene with Adrian in the kitchen shows her showing additional concern about Apollo fighting and that his motivations are wrong. Apollo's funeral has new footage that gives Rocky and Duke more time to properly eulogize Apollo. Also, the fight between Apollo and Drago has Apollo putting up more of a fight and not just getting his ass handed to him by Drago.
-Drago has more dialogue with his press conferences and victory over Apollo, and also shows him showing more reluctance to take part in all the Vegas pageantry before his fight with Apollo.
-Adrian gets an extra scene to go along with her new kitchen scene that shows more of her concern for Rocky fighting Drago, as well as showing how deep her relationship is with Rocky.
-Duke gets some extra footage sprinkled in the Russia scenes, as well as the fights for Apollo and Rocky, to show how much of an important trainer/corner man he is for both guys with his support.
-The ending is more extended and low-key compared to the original. The Russian Politburo just get up and leave in disappointment after Rocky's victory over Drago instead of standing up and clapping with Rocky's speech. Rocky's speech also tries to tie things back to Apollo and avenging him and not make it as much about the U.S. vs. Russia. The use of "Eye of the Tiger" during the scene instead of "Hearts on Fire" helps strengthen this.
I'll keep my review more in summary form:
Is it better than the original?
Well it is more character-driven and Stallone has made this version to have more of the style and tone of the earlier Rocky films, or more specifically, the Rocky films that are serious dramas (I, II, VI) and be less of cheesy-at-times popcorn entertainment (III, IV). Of course your feelings on the film depend on how you feel about Rocky IV in general, but what Stallone has been done to this version does improve it in most areas and doesn't really hurt it.
How is it as a director's cut?
Not on the high level of something like Lord of the Rings: Extended Versions or Blade Runner: Final Cut, but certainly above something controversial like the Star Wars Trilogy: Special Editions. I'd say a good comparison would be to something like The Godfather Coda or Troy: Director's Cut off the top of my head.
So what has changed?
On the surface side of things:
-New version is PG-13 compared to the PG original. I think the ratings change is because the fights are more fierce and with a bit more bloodshed compared to how they are in the original version.
-Aspect Ratio is also changed. This version is 2:35 while the original is 1:85.
-Remastered footage looks pretty good. Slight color timing change is done, but it's only most noticeable in the snow and sky in the outdoor Russia scenes with more of a blue look. No "teal and orange" or anything controversial. The sound design has been changed with the punches and wood chops sounding more enhanced.
-Outside of additional footage, many of the scenes (and montages) have slight edits - alternate takes/line deliveries, some lines cut here and there, alternate camera angles, change in shot order, etc. Nothing the average person won't take notice of unless you've seen the movie countless times. It's done with a pretty subtle hand. The footage though from the earlier Rocky films as Stallone is driving is now black and white instead of color.
-The trailer has boasted "40 minutes of new footage!", but there's a catch. Whatever Stallone cut out, he replaces. So the running time is still 90 minutes. It's not the 90 minute original plus 40 minutes.
-While the movie is more serious and dramatic in tone compared to the original, it's still a piece of 80's cheese complete with the music, montages, James Brown, etc. that you all know and love (or hate) in the original. So you purists shouldn't be too up in arms about what Stallone has done with this version. This version is still a product of its time.
On the story side of things:
If you want a detailed list of what was changed in terms of story and characters, visit the link below (spoilers of course):
screenrant.com/rocky-4-directors-cut-stallone-changes-new-scenes/
-Yes, the robot is gone, but I don't think it's a big loss. You probably won't even think about it as you're watching the movie.
-The birthday party for Paulie and the anniversary celebration with Adrian are gone. Rocky's talk with Apollo in his white robe is gone, but some of that part does get played later in the movie.
-Movie feels more like the first half is about Apollo Creed and the second half is about Rocky. The movie's beginning is a more extensive recap of Rocky III and specifically focusing on Apollo's role in helping Rocky get the title back. Also, the movie now opens with Apollo in the pool learning about Drago. The first half is more about the relationship between Apollo and Rocky and Apollo trying to convince Rocky to help him train to fight Drago. A new scene in Rocky's backyard has Apollo trying to do more convincing to Rocky. A new scene with Adrian in the kitchen shows her showing additional concern about Apollo fighting and that his motivations are wrong. Apollo's funeral has new footage that gives Rocky and Duke more time to properly eulogize Apollo. Also, the fight between Apollo and Drago has Apollo putting up more of a fight and not just getting his ass handed to him by Drago.
-Drago has more dialogue with his press conferences and victory over Apollo, and also shows him showing more reluctance to take part in all the Vegas pageantry before his fight with Apollo.
-Adrian gets an extra scene to go along with her new kitchen scene that shows more of her concern for Rocky fighting Drago, as well as showing how deep her relationship is with Rocky.
-Duke gets some extra footage sprinkled in the Russia scenes, as well as the fights for Apollo and Rocky, to show how much of an important trainer/corner man he is for both guys with his support.
-The ending is more extended and low-key compared to the original. The Russian Politburo just get up and leave in disappointment after Rocky's victory over Drago instead of standing up and clapping with Rocky's speech. Rocky's speech also tries to tie things back to Apollo and avenging him and not make it as much about the U.S. vs. Russia. The use of "Eye of the Tiger" during the scene instead of "Hearts on Fire" helps strengthen this.