xpectedly recapping the story so far by showing highlights from the final couple of rounds from Rocky’s (Sylvester Stallone) prior bout against Ivan Drago, “Rocky V” changes only a couple of minor concepts from the consistent formula. Here, black-and-white, slowed frames interrupt the flashback, along with the names of the cast aligning with their images. But it still picks up immediately after that fight, in Russia, documenting the aftermath, which includes the titular pugilist contending with injuries from the beating of a lifetime. “Rocky, you’re scaring me.”

Upon returning to the States, rumors of physical complications from his career of taking punches to the face begin to plague the champ. He wants to retire – and he’s certainly old enough to do so – but within seconds of deplaning, the slick-talking, popular promotor George Washington Duke (Richard Gant) confronts the winner, demanding that his newcomer fighter, Union Cane (Michael Anthony Williams), gets a shot at Rocky in Japan for a sizable purse. But faithful wife Adrian (Talia Shire) insists that the star give up boxing for good. Things get more complicated, however, when brother-in-law Paulie (Burt Young) inexplicably signs a power of attorney document, giving away Rocky’s financial rights to his accountant, who promptly scams the family of all their wealth, resulting in bankruptcy. And to make matters worse, Rocky is diagnosed with brain damage of the irreversible kind. “He just took a few large shots.”

Unlike in the previous picture, this one doesn’t jump right into the training and sparring and dueling; instead, it dwells on tragedies that reduce the lead to the penniless, resourceless, pitiable soul that he started as at the beginning of the series. It’s a great opportunity to put him back into his signature costume, which wouldn’t have been suitable if he remained on top of the world. And with his return to this original look comes director John G. Avildsen, retaking the director’s chair for the first time since the Academy Award-winning initial film. Even composer Bill Conti comes back to rework his score.

Unfortunately, despite this esteemed combination of filmmakers, the story just doesn’t have anything interesting to say. It’s something of a public service announcement, a cautionary tale about how the more extreme sports are bound to be bad for one’s health (with some extra notes about headgear and other safety equipment). It isn’t particularly convincing when Rocky loses everything, though that’s certainly something that can happen to reckless people who aren’t able to manage their successes. More significant is commentary about the American Medical Association recommending that boxing should be banned due to how damaging it is to its participants. But part of the premise examines how Rocky is a bad father, prioritizing the management of a promising young boxer, Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison), rather than focusing on his own child, Rocky Jr. (Sage Stallone), who could benefit from learning a few moves to defend himself from continual harassment by school brutes. Rocky doesn’t seem to care about his own son, even if he’s fueled by vicarious experiences – but perhaps that has something to do with his irreparable, traumatic head injuries. “This is a complex business.”

As the heavyweight neglects his kid, the standard fight montages appear, aiming to infuse a little action. But it soon becomes apparent that this isn’t going to be about the typical, exciting bouts; familial melodrama is on the horizon. Rocky is going to need to wise up about the priorities in his life – not that this saga has ever done anything but reiterate how the contender has a history of making poor decisions. The best components actually involve Rocky Jr. and his luck with transforming bullies into friends, and connecting with the kindhearted girl (Elisebeth Peters) who takes an interest in him. Ultimately, it’s just disappointing to see Rocky fall so far; he’s such a sad, realistic failure that he’s no longer fun to watch as a fictional hero. This may be the most sincere entry in the franchise, removing all of the glitz and glamor from the last few chapters to conclude with a rough-and-tumble street fight, but it’s also the least entertaining – by a long shot. “Touch me and I’ll sue!”

– Mike Massie