Rocky V (2006) (* unfinished project? *)

I was re-watching all the Rocky films, and like others, I always felt Rocky V to be very weak, and the blacksheep of the bunch. They tried to take Rocky back to his roots, but they also forgot what made the original film so special. Anyway, here’s what I’m proposing.

The first chunk of Rocky V merged into Rocky Balboa. Cut the Tommy Gun stuff and mr. “Only in Uhmerica!!”

Start the film with Rocky fanfare and fight from IV (I’d like to attempt recutting this myself. Perhaps to try to match the tone of the rest of the edit. As it is…it’s just too 1985)
-Considering keeping the shower scene “I can’t keep my hands from shaking” but cut the brain damage arc. I think that fight was a good enough reason for Rocky to retire. I mean damn, he’s a dinosaur in boxing years. Also, there’d be no way his brain damage would improve enough to be eligible to receive a license to fight, or pass with “flying colors” as they put in Rocky Balboa
-Keep the “We lost everything” segment
-Create transition from V to Balboa with little segments. Audio clips from V. Newspaper clippings to explain the 16 year gap.
-16 years later Rocky at the grave of Adrian in Rocky Balboa
-I’d like to add little bits from Rocky V that I liked to various parts.
-Cut “Is that from the 80s?”…“No it’s from the 70s” felt kind of off.
-Add “Get up you son of a bitch, 'cause Mickey loves ya!” to when Rocky gets knocked down.
-Tone down some of the ESPNish vibes

Cut list will grow as I continue to think it through.

This begs a question. There exists 2 endings. One where Rocky loses, one where he wins. I’m partial to Rocky losing, but welcome your thoughts and opinions, as well as what else you think could be cut or added.

So far I’ve decided I want to trim the fight, cut out most of the simulated live HBO stream stuff, and keep the fight cinematic much like the other Rocky films. I also want to reinstate several deleted scenes. The quieter moments that harken back to the original.

I’m debating on cutting the scene where Rocky goes back to the ice rink, because I felt there was more impact for his breakdown at the meat packing plant. I do want to keep the part where he returns to his old house. It was well done.

Really, most of this edit will be a (see if I can, and how I can learn from it) kind of process.

I also have decided upon rewatching it, that I think the original ending is the best one. Winning wasn’t the message of the film, after all.

I want to try to keep the quieter slow moments of the film. Make the movie less about the fight.

The only deleted scene I won’t add is the scene where Rocky is asking Steps about his father, it would’ve been a great scene, but there’s no payoff in the end. Which is a shame, I think it could have added some weight to the film.

KRW said:

I’ve got the unreleased directors cut if you need it for this.

For Rocky V or Rocky Balboa?

Honestly, the chunk of Rocky V I wanted to use was a very small amount. Unless the director’s cut has some hidden gold in there. I think I even plan to cut the scenes about Paulie screwing the Balboa’s over, and just keep Rocky’s financial struggles in the newspaper montage. Rocky’s in one of the top sports for athletes losing it all.