Within the last month and a half I’ve seen all six Rocky movies. Within the last week I’ve seen the first five. So, while they are fresh in my mind, I’m going to do a quick review of each of them and assign a rating on the 10 star system. This system assumes there is no such thing as a perfect 10.

Rocky (1976)
Sometimes slow with some creepy 70′s style love scenes. Rocky’s rambling insecurity while courting Adrian just feels authentic. Excellent fight vs Apollo Creed…easily his most interesting rival in the whole series. 7.5/10 stars.

Rocky II (1979)
Apollo Creed is back and he wants a rematch. Rocky beats him by one second. 7/10 stars.

Rocky III (1982)
I hate to praise this movie more than neccessary, but I can’t help but love the plot line of Apollo and Rocky training together to beat the brawler Mr. T aka Clubber Lang (“”No, I don’t hate Rocky. I pity the fool!”"). Rocky dominates in rematch…a nice change. Also introduces Survivor song “”Eye of the Tiger”". Early 80′s fruity work out attire and jumping around in the ocean is also entertaining. 7.5/10 stars.

Rocky IV (1985)
Most 80′s Rocky. Most implausible Rocky. Most freaky techno Rocky. Most “”Apollo Creed dies in the beginning.”" Rocky. Yet again the series raises the stakes by pitting Rocky against an even stronger, even more threatening opponent…now with all new communist threat. Fuzzy future technology assists the Soviets in molding a super warrior. They just didn’t take into account Rocky’s heart. Absurdity reaches all new levels when a crowd full of Russian speaking Soviets starts cheering “”Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!”". It then surpasses all previous levels when the communist leaders themselves stand up and clap. It’s just silly, yet, you can’t help but like the movie inspite of the silliness. 6/10 stars.

Rocky V (1990)
Less interesting but logical story line. Rocky lives vicariously through Tommy Gunn. Street fight is awesome and entirely underated. 6/10 stars.

Rocky Balboa (2006)
Captures the heart of the series. Really makes you like Rocky as a person. Expresses verbally the theme of the series. “”It ain’t about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”" Satisfying ending to the movie and series.

The Rocky movies, even at the their cheesiest, keep you on the edge of your seat. They’re the ultimate boxing movies and the ultimate under dog movies.