ROCKY III (ROCKY/CREED MARATHON)

Initial release date: May 28, 1982

Studio: MGM/United Artists

Tagline: The Greatest Challenge

Plot: Having become the world heavyweight champion, former working-class boxer Rocky Balboa is rich and famous beyond his wildest dreams, which has made him lazy and overconfident. In a double whammy, he loses his trainer and father figure Mickey and then has his title stolen by the arrogant, menacing challenger Clubber Lang. Turning to his former adversary, Apollo Creed, for help, Rocky struggles to get his old fire back.

Cast

Sylvester Stallone - Rocky Balboa

Talia Shire - Adrian

Burt Young - Paulie

Carl Weathers - Apollo Creed

Burgess Meredith - Mickey Goldmill

Tony Burton - Duke

Mr. T - Clubber Lang

Hulk Hogan - Thunderlips

Al Silvoni - Al

Writer/director: Sylvester Stallone

Rated PG (99 minutes)

Now after watching the first two 'Rocky' movies (which I have seen many times over the years), I finally get the chance to catch the remaining installments of the main series. In fact, I'm watching 'Rocky IV' now while I write this take of 'Rocky III.'

The third entry of the main series sort of has a different vibe compared to the first two. In this one, Rocky Balboa is getting used to the celebrity boxing life and is far from being the underdog. When comparing it to the first couple movies, there isn't nearly as much emotion in this one. Don't get me wrong ... there is some emotion which I will be getting to in just a second. The fights are still entertaining and Rocky's first main fight with Hulk Hogan's character is one of the many highlights of this movie.

Like I stated there is some emotion in this one. Sort of going into spoiler territory here, but the death of Rocky's trainer (Mickey) can get you to tear up a little bit if you really enjoy the series and when you watch the movie you get to see that his death really gets to Balboa. And, not long after Mickey's death, Apollo Creed steps in to train Rocky for his fight with Mr. T and their friendship begins to grow even more.

Overall, this is another highly enjoyable installment of the main 'Rocky' series and I'm looking forward to finishing up the series and seeing 'Creed III'!

Here are some interesting tidbits for 'Rocky III':

• Rocky III is Carl Weathers' favorite film in the Rocky saga because he thinks Apollo Creed is humanized so well in it.

• In the scene where Rocky body-slams Thunderlips out of the ring, Stallone admitted that he couldn't dead-lift Hulk Hogan, so he had Hogan jump into his arms.

• A song titled "You're The Best" performed by Joe Esposito was recorded for the film. But Stallone rejected it in favor of Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger." "You're the Best" was later used in The Karate Kid.

• As he had done with the first two films, Stallone incorporated biographical elements from his own life into Rocky's story. In particular, he chose to focus on the "unreal" aspects of Rocky's life, and how out of touch he has become with "normality." When making this film, Stallone was at the height of his fame, and much of the over the top celebrity exposure experienced by Rocky was based on experiences Stallone has had himself.

• Stallone admits that after Rocky II, he ran out of ideas and this and Rocky IV focus more on the fight and training, whereas the first two films had more elements than just about boxing.

• This was intended to be the last film. However, due to the film's success, Stallone decided to keep the series going.

• This movie is considered the favorite fan film in the Rocky community.

• Rocky III was an enormous box office success and surpassed the gross of its predecessor. The film grossed $16 million in its opening weekend and earned $125 million during its North American theatrical run.