ROCKY III

US, 1982, 95 minutes, Colour.
Sylvester Stallone, Carl Weathers, Mr T, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Burgess Meredith, Hulk Hogan.
Directed by Sylvester Stallone.

Rocky III is an entertaining reworking of the first two Rocky films. In fact, during 1982 it had extraordinary box office success. once again the film was written by Sylvester Stallone (who wrote all three films) and directed by him (he also directed Rocky II). Music is once again by Bill Conti and the song 'Eye of the Tiger' was Oscar-nominated. The regular cast reappears - although Burgess Meredith's Mickey dies in this film.

The film takes up Rocky's story - he is successful, wealthy and a plaque and a statue of him are unveiled in Philadelphia. He also goes through a wrestling bout to raise money for charity - and as he is battered, the audience is in full sympathy for what is to follow. Rocky's wealth is manifested in his affluent lifestyle and a distancing from his wife Adrian. Needless to say, they are reconciled throughout the film as Adrian becomes more self-assured. Her brother Paulie is still there but is even more envious than before.

Rocky discovers that he has been protected in his career and that he has not had successful bouts. He goes into public training and then is defeated by a gigantic boxer played by Mr. T. Audience sympathies are again for Rocky. His former opponent Apollo Creed emerges to train him. He goes to Los Angeles and trains privately - although with the same zest as before and becomes trim. Once again there is the build-up to the final bout which, naturally, Rocky wins. Apollo Creed then wants a private bout, with no witnesses, in which he can prove that he is superior to Rocky.

The film raises the same issues as before and is an example of the tried and true being seen to be successful.