This is a very shaky, oftentimes flawed film, but for some reason I like it. I’ve grown accustomed to these characters. I want to make sure they’re okay.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Feb 29, 2024

The film, which could have been horrible, is not bad, not bad at all. [Full review in Spanish]

| Oct 26, 2022

The undisputed worst movie of the Rocky franchise, the one at the bottom of everyone's list.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Mar 28, 2022

Rocky V is not as awful as we had imagined. There is more feeling in this one -- a relief from the steroid-pumped cartoons that were Rocky III and Rocky IV -- but the feeling is, alas, recycled.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Aug 18, 2021

It may be compromised, but what it's trying to do is worthwhile enough to appreciate the effort. Because if its reputation, Rocky V is now the ultimate underdog of the underdog series.

| Nov 17, 2020

This is the first picture in the series that feels inert.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Jul 14, 2019

It's become popular in most circles to point to this installment as the one where things went topsy-turvy, but the truth is that Rocky V is far better than most folks give it credit for.

| Feb 4, 2019

It's frustrating that it's bad, too, because it was the first movie to really tackle the consequences of being Rocky.

| Dec 6, 2018

Unnecessary, lazy sequel is overly violent.

| Original Score: 2/5 | May 23, 2018

| Original Score: B- | Sep 7, 2011

Time to hang up the boxing gloves, ol' Rocky.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jun 1, 2007

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 2, 2007

For the most part, the Rocky pictures have been outstanding entertainments, beautifully crafted and executed, and Rocky V is an important and worthwhile addition to the series.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Dec 19, 2006

The dramatic moves are so obvious and shopworn that not even the star's mournful basset-hound expressions can redeem them.

| Dec 19, 2006

Much-maligned but sporadically effective...

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 6, 2006

Rocky loses his fortune, moves back to the old neighborhood and neglects his son while training an ultimately ungrateful young boxer. A manufactured attempt to capture the spirit of the original. What's intended as high drama is cloying and silly.

| Original Score: C | Apr 20, 2006

Whereas the first and far superior Rocky had real heart, this tries and fails to have brains.

| Feb 9, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 29, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 23, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 12, 2005