I would also like to add that when the Russian Political Party got up and left after Rocky's speech was better than the original where they got up and clapped. Seemed more realistic, and it supports what Drago says in Creed II about everybody turning their back on him after he lost to Rocky.
Also worth noting that the Rocky vs. Drago making-of documentary is missing around half an hour of footage. The RUclips version is around 90 minutes, the version on disc is just under an hour.
Rocky III was a little disappointing. Rocky III is an excellent movie, and the sound was top notch. But this was the first of the 5 movies in this box set that showed a large amount of grain, now I expect the grain when the scene is darker but even the bright scenes were grainy. Still a huge improvement over the blu-ray, I will rate this 7 out of 10, and to further my point on this, The opening of the Rocky Vs. Drago was from Rocky III and showed Clubber Lang and did not start as the Classic Rocky IV with Apolo and Rocky in the ring, and the video was crystal clear, so that makes me even more disappointed with the Rocky III disc quality, as it proves the footage exists by they just got lazy and didn't remaster it as well as Sly did on his version.
I just picked it up and am diving straight into Rocky II :) I love the way it dives into the repercussions of the fairy tale ending, and tackles very complex themes of gender roles/expectations in a relationship imposed by society and self, especially ones set upon men, through both the protagonists' and antagonist's arcs. I love seeing Adrien become an even stronger person through Rocky II. The hardship this movie puts the couple through proves why Rocky and Adrian are a pair destined to help each other become their best selves. Rocky II is my favorite film in the franchise and has been a top of my 4k want list since I watched it a few years ago.
That is a great breakdown. I think Rocky 2 is underrated . There is rich character development and I often see Stallone being typecasted as a “meat head” . When his writing is often overlooked. I wish he had kept a little more character Vs spectacle in the later entries. Really enjoyed Balboas writing as well. I enjoy the whole franchise for various reasons. Maybe not part 5 as much haha. Thank you for the wonderful comment . Enjoy Rocky 2!
@@returnofthedisc Thank you for the wonderful response :) I've really enjoyed nearly every film in this franchise for different reasons. The only film I didn't enjoy was Rocky V, since it felt like a thematically hollow repeat of Rocky II.
@@returnofthedisc I'd always had an awareness of the Rocky films through pop culture, punctuated with memories of seeing the standy for Rocky Balboa at the movie theater when I was 8 or 9. It wasn't until high school that I watched my first Rocky movie, which was Rocky IV (watched for the fine 80's cheese). After that, I learned more about the plot beats of the franchise through reviews, but it wouldn't be until 2018 before the release of Creed 2 that I would pick the franchise back up and watch Rocky and Creed. A couple years after that I marathoned the rest of the sequels over a long day, excluding Rocky Balboa due to burn out from Rocky V, which to come full circle I finally watched last night :)
What kept me hooked on the franchise outside of the fights which which always hype as hell, is the way most of the films use boxing and the preparation for the fight/opponents as a means to deliver their themes, sone even using the fight in interesting ways to do so. Rocky the character is also one of the best representations of a positive masculinity in all of cinema.
I will still buy. I have them all on Blu Ray I bought in 2010 and they are some of the worst Blu Rays I have. As long as the picture quality is better I will buy. Could understand people holding off if they maybe have the 2014 Blu Rays, but the ones I got are barely above DVD quality especially on 1-3.
Thanks for sharing. I’m opting for the individual movie steelbooks. Rocky (the first one) has the 2014 disc as the Blu-ray meaning it’s got a ton of archival features which is nice. Curiously that’s not mentioned on the package.
I’m glad you shared that. I was going to buy the individual steelbooks but now knowing the first film just repeats the same Blu-ray disc and can’t give us a new disc with the 4K scan, there’s no point. It’ll likely be the same for the others (except VI). I already have those Blu-ray copies so there’s no need to spend the extra money. There seems to be no shortage of cheap and lazy for what should be an event release. WB let’s us down again. Rocky and Superman.
I think Rocky 4 directors cut is the best stallone did massive work for that one himself. I'm not sure he did personally himself. Packaging is horrible. So bad I don't even want steelbooks . Only Rocky 4 has original artwork. If they did original artwork for steelbooks I buy them all. I only want Rocky 4 steelbook but than I will have to buy the crap set too. It's a disgrace whoever put this together should be fired.
Can't be bothered worrying about packaging or even lack of special features that I'll watch once and probably never again. My biggest gripe is not including Rocky V since who knows if they'll ever put it out as a standalone release and even if they do, I don't really want to buy it on its own.
As far as the packaging, there was no great option here. I don't like steels. I only buy them if they have original art, which the Best Buys ones don't have. There's no individual releases except in UK. And the art on them is bad. I only wanted 1-4 anyway. So the set made most sense. Like you said, at least the discs aren't stacked.
Right there was no great option for packaging. I’m not sure why it’s so hard to use the original art haha but I guess we are lucky the transfers are decent .
Thanks for the informative review! I stand by the fact that the packaging and presentation is absolute rubbish and is far away from a knockout! It's good to know that the 4K discs look better, although I expect that to be the case! The fact that we've always been treated to the same bonus material for 20 years isn't that great, of course, but I kind of expected that. I will first only buy the 4K Rocky IV Steelbook at the end of March when it comes out here in Germany, because it's the only artwork I like and the director's cut wasn't shown in cinemas in Germany! I already know the new cut, but would like to experience it in 4K. I hope there will be a complete edition in the future that will hopefully be worthy of the Rocky franchise!
Great review 😃…I’ll pick these up on steelbook …still no real special features of great note…Rocky gets no love on digital media…hopefully further down the year he finally gets the box set he deserves 👊🏼🙌🏼
I’m sorry the directors cut of Rocky 4 is a jumbled mess. That’s probably my least favorite Rocky movie and the original Rocky 4 is still my favorite. You need to see all the sloppy edits in the directors cut and unnecessary alternate camera takes that filled this movie.
Just give me a 2 hour cut with the added scenes put in and we are golden. I still can’t get over Rocky telling Apollo to clinch after he gets knocked down and Rocky Yells “alright” when he never does so. Or the announcers saying “a slip by creed” when they took the scene of him slipping out. The way they edited drago getting counted out was laughable too.
Also they kept in the scene where creed is gloveless and Stallone even says to take that out during the making of documentary!!! How does that happen? Who edited this?
Stallone saw over the edit. Check out the full length behind the scenes documentary if you’d like. I understand the nitpicks but I enjoy both versions for different reasons.
@@returnofthedisc I did watch that documentary that’s why I mentioned that it’s bizarre that clip is still in place. Whoever was sitting down doing the editing Stallone requested did an awful job
I would also like to add that when the Russian Political Party got up and left after Rocky's speech was better than the original where they got up and clapped. Seemed more realistic, and it supports what Drago says in Creed II about everybody turning their back on him after he lost to Rocky.
Exactly it is more realistic and fits the creed 2 narrative.
Also worth noting that the Rocky vs. Drago making-of documentary is missing around half an hour of footage. The RUclips version is around 90 minutes, the version on disc is just under an hour.
Wow . If anything it would make more sense to have a longer version on the disc.
Rocky III was a little disappointing. Rocky III is an excellent movie, and the sound was top notch. But this was the first of the 5 movies in this box set that showed a large amount of grain, now I expect the grain when the scene is darker but even the bright scenes were grainy.
Still a huge improvement over the blu-ray, I will rate this 7 out of 10, and to further my point on this, The opening of the Rocky Vs. Drago was from Rocky III and showed Clubber Lang and did not start as the Classic Rocky IV with Apolo and Rocky in the ring, and the video was crystal clear, so that makes me even more disappointed with the Rocky III disc quality, as it proves the footage exists by they just got lazy and didn't remaster it as well as Sly did on his version.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts ! I agree there is probably a better restoration of 3 somewhere .
I just wanted 5 and 6 along with 1-4. I’m not a stickler for the other elements.
Now the 6 film collection is coming in July
I loved it , but I just got a question, where’s the last 2 rocky movies at ?
Right!
I understand its not what you wanted and the cover isn't anything special but the quality makes it worth keeping.
I was able to get a replacement so I’m happy
@@returnofthedisc good glad you got it replaced
I just picked it up and am diving straight into Rocky II :) I love the way it dives into the repercussions of the fairy tale ending, and tackles very complex themes of gender roles/expectations in a relationship imposed by society and self, especially ones set upon men, through both the protagonists' and antagonist's arcs. I love seeing Adrien become an even stronger person through Rocky II. The hardship this movie puts the couple through proves why Rocky and Adrian are a pair destined to help each other become their best selves. Rocky II is my favorite film in the franchise and has been a top of my 4k want list since I watched it a few years ago.
That is a great breakdown. I think Rocky 2 is underrated . There is rich character development and I often see Stallone being typecasted as a “meat head” . When his writing is often overlooked. I wish he had kept a little more character Vs spectacle in the later entries. Really enjoyed Balboas writing as well. I enjoy the whole franchise for various reasons. Maybe not part 5 as much haha. Thank you for the wonderful comment . Enjoy Rocky 2!
@@returnofthedisc Thank you for the wonderful response :) I've really enjoyed nearly every film in this franchise for different reasons. The only film I didn't enjoy was Rocky V, since it felt like a thematically hollow repeat of Rocky II.
I agree with that. Did you grow up with the Rocky films? How did you discover them?
@@returnofthedisc I'd always had an awareness of the Rocky films through pop culture, punctuated with memories of seeing the standy for Rocky Balboa at the movie theater when I was 8 or 9. It wasn't until high school that I watched my first Rocky movie, which was Rocky IV (watched for the fine 80's cheese). After that, I learned more about the plot beats of the franchise through reviews, but it wouldn't be until 2018 before the release of Creed 2 that I would pick the franchise back up and watch Rocky and Creed. A couple years after that I marathoned the rest of the sequels over a long day, excluding Rocky Balboa due to burn out from Rocky V, which to come full circle I finally watched last night :)
What kept me hooked on the franchise outside of the fights which which always hype as hell, is the way most of the films use boxing and the preparation for the fight/opponents as a means to deliver their themes, sone even using the fight in interesting ways to do so. Rocky the character is also one of the best representations of a positive masculinity in all of cinema.
Is the director cut only in the new 4k set ?
No it should be with the rocky 4 steelbook as well. Both cuts are on the same disc
@@returnofthedisc seeming the training montage in the Directors Cut loos really nice and adding this to my Christmas list
That’s awesome!!
I would like to have all the 4k steelbook
The best collection to date is the Rocky undisputed 2013.
Yep! I still have that set
I will still buy. I have them all on Blu Ray I bought in 2010 and they are some of the worst Blu Rays I have. As long as the picture quality is better I will buy. Could understand people holding off if they maybe have the 2014 Blu Rays, but the ones I got are barely above DVD quality especially on 1-3.
It’s definitely better and probably the best we are going to get at this point.
What's with the pattern of studios releasing only 4 films in 6 movie collections?
I’m not exactly sure. Hopefully they release all 6 at some point .
Thanks for sharing. I’m opting for the individual movie steelbooks. Rocky (the first one) has the 2014 disc as the Blu-ray meaning it’s got a ton of archival features which is nice. Curiously that’s not mentioned on the package.
There’s no Blu-rays in the knockout collection. So yes, you’ll have it with the steelbook .
I’m glad you shared that. I was going to buy the individual steelbooks but now knowing the first film just repeats the same Blu-ray disc and can’t give us a new disc with the 4K scan, there’s no point. It’ll likely be the same for the others (except VI). I already have those Blu-ray copies so there’s no need to spend the extra money.
There seems to be no shortage of cheap and lazy for what should be an event release. WB let’s us down again. Rocky and Superman.
There’s no special features for 2&3 unfortunately
@@returnofthedisc True, but there never have been.
Facts
Great review. I am a little bummed the directors cut doesnt include the atmos track that was on the streaming version.
Thank you! I wish it had the atmos track too
I think Rocky 4 directors cut is the best stallone did massive work for that one himself. I'm not sure he did personally himself. Packaging is horrible. So bad I don't even want steelbooks . Only Rocky 4 has original artwork. If they did original artwork for steelbooks I buy them all. I only want Rocky 4 steelbook but than I will have to buy the crap set too. It's a disgrace whoever put this together should be fired.
I agree 100% . I’m glad the movies look good but the packaging is bad all around.
Directors cut is awful.
Can't be bothered worrying about packaging or even lack of special features that I'll watch once and probably never again. My biggest gripe is not including Rocky V since who knows if they'll ever put it out as a standalone release and even if they do, I don't really want to buy it on its own.
Yeah the important thing is the movies look good. I agree with you about Rocky 5, doubt it will be released on its own.
Sly hates 5 so I wouldn't count on him ever doing anything with it.
As far as the packaging, there was no great option here. I don't like steels. I only buy them if they have original art, which the Best Buys ones don't have. There's no individual releases except in UK. And the art on them is bad. I only wanted 1-4 anyway. So the set made most sense. Like you said, at least the discs aren't stacked.
Right there was no great option for packaging. I’m not sure why it’s so hard to use the original art haha but I guess we are lucky the transfers are decent .
hard to believe someone actually chose to make the packaging like that. Garbage
Exactly !
I heard that this was getting pulled off shelves in some stores.
I haven’t heard that but I’ve now heard the discs have a lot of errors as far as audio
Thanks for the informative review! I stand by the fact that the packaging and presentation is absolute rubbish and is far away from a knockout!
It's good to know that the 4K discs look better, although I expect that to be the case!
The fact that we've always been treated to the same bonus material for 20 years isn't that great, of course, but I kind of expected that.
I will first only buy the 4K Rocky IV Steelbook at the end of March when it comes out here in Germany, because it's the only artwork I like and the director's cut wasn't shown in cinemas in Germany! I already know the new cut, but would like to experience it in 4K.
I hope there will be a complete edition in the future that will hopefully be worthy of the Rocky franchise!
You’re welcome! That’s a good call. The directors cut of 4 is well worth it in 4k. Thanks for the comment !
Money grab for sure. I'm waiting for the Star Trek TNG 4k set
Oh nice ! Hopefully the transfers are good
Great review 😃…I’ll pick these up on steelbook …still no real special features of great note…Rocky gets no love on digital media…hopefully further down the year he finally gets the box set he deserves 👊🏼🙌🏼
Thanks ! Yes Rocky deserves a better set for sure. There has to be more features out there for 2&3 . Maybe someday
@@returnofthedisc here’s hoping that they finally put extras for 2 and 3…love to see deleted scenes and making of’s
Let’s hope !
I love the packaging tbh
Nice !
The new cut of Rocky 4 is a travesty.
Thanks for the comment. I enjoyed it. Glad we have both cuts available for everyone.
I’m sorry the directors cut of Rocky 4 is a jumbled mess. That’s probably my least favorite Rocky movie and the original Rocky 4 is still my favorite. You need to see all the sloppy edits in the directors cut and unnecessary alternate camera takes that filled this movie.
That’s ok! I enjoyed the new cut but I do respect/understand where you’re coming from. Thanks for the comment !
Just give me a 2 hour cut with the added scenes put in and we are golden. I still can’t get over Rocky telling Apollo to clinch after he gets knocked down and Rocky Yells “alright” when he never does so. Or the announcers saying “a slip by creed” when they took the scene of him slipping out. The way they edited drago getting counted out was laughable too.
Also they kept in the scene where creed is gloveless and Stallone even says to take that out during the making of documentary!!! How does that happen? Who edited this?
Stallone saw over the edit. Check out the full length behind the scenes documentary if you’d like. I understand the nitpicks but I enjoy both versions for different reasons.
@@returnofthedisc I did watch that documentary that’s why I mentioned that it’s bizarre that clip is still in place. Whoever was sitting down doing the editing Stallone requested did an awful job