What were some things that the Rocky director’s cuts actually improved on?
What Are Sylvester Stallone’s New Extended Cuts?
What this article covers:
Whether the new versions are worth watching
Sylvester Stallone’s new extended cuts of Rocky and Rambo films
Differences between theatrical and director’s cuts
What changes improve (or hurt) the movies
It was recently announced that Sylvester Stallone’s Rambo series will be coming to 4K Blu-ray in a new 5-movie set. The interesting thing about the new set is that while it sports an extended director’s cut of the fourth film, which Sly directed, there is also a new extended cut of the fifth movie, Rambo: Last Blood, which is a Stallone edit exclusive to the set. While the new cut may or may not actually improve on the film (it was rarely well-received, even with hardcore Rambo fans), this development echoes Stallone’s recent revisiting of two of his Rocky films with extended director’s cuts.
The action star had gone back to re-edit Rocky IV with a newer vision for 2021’s Rocky vs. Drago: Rocky IV Ultimate Director’s Cut. The newer edit was somewhat reminiscent of George Lucas’ Star Wars special edition trilogy in 1997, in which the filmmaker wanted to go back and correct some things.
What Rocky director’s cuts exist?
Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago – Ultimate Director’s Cut
Rocky Balboa – Director’s Cut
Both included in the 2024 4K collection
In the newly released 4K Blu-ray set of the Rocky series from 2024, the collection includes both cuts of Rocky IV and, interestingly, a director’s cut of 2006’s Rocky Balboa, which I never knew existed. Sly may have released the Rocky IV Ultimate Director’s Cut in theaters for audiences to view as a whole new experience, but he also lowkey went back and altered his late sequel for the 4K set and only recently did I have the opportunity to check it out. It’s not as extensive as the Rocky IV one, as Sly wanted to revamp the tone of that one (he’s expressed his regret that he succumbed to the pressure of shooting and editing it like an MTV music video and called it “too 80s” [as if that was a bad thing!!!]). However, for Rocky Balboa, Sly more so seemed to reinsert some deleted or alternate scenes with an occasional re-edit for pacing.
The experience of watching both cuts recently felt interesting. Sly managed to recontextualize and help viewers see these stories in a slightly different light. Inversely, there are definitely decisions he made that I wish he hadn’t. I understand him wanting to make Rocky IV more serious by completely removing the subplot with Paulie’s robot, as it was deemed “cheesy” and “80s,” but dammit, I loved that robot! And you can’t rewrite that much history! It’s one of the most memorable parts of the original film!
So, what are some things that I think the new cuts actually improved on? Let’s take a look!
What does the Rocky Balboa director’s cut change?
Some new good context given in Rocky Balboa.
Like I said earlier, the Rocky Balboa director’s cut seemed mostly to reinsert deleted scenes that had been released as extra features in past physical releases. But reinserting two of those certain scenes helped to bring some important layers to the movie and even the whole series. Firstly, I personally felt that, in the original cut, it was a bit abrupt with Rocky getting back into training for his fight. There were definitely a lot of plot elements to focus on, but I’ve always felt that holding off on the training until the “Gonna Fly Now” wasn’t organic enough for the context of the film. Sure, we all know that Sly is still in shape, but Rocky was seemingly out of practice and looked like he started hit the training hard after making the fight. I always hoped it was more gradual. In the director’s cut, a short sparring scene is reinserted and it provides a lot, as Rocky is back in the ring in decades and you can really see him struggle to get back into the swing of things. Rocky walks away humbled because he now realizes what he’s gotten himself into and his self-doubt really clouds over him. This helps to bring a bigger underdog aspect to this sequel.
Another poignant scene is when Rocky is spending time with the new teenage character, Steps. The scene itself doesn’t change too much; it extends the subplot, but we get a bit of Rocky background as he talks about his father and, most importantly, Rocky acknowledges that, throughout all his hard work, he had freakish luck in life with Apollo picking him from obscurity. The message probably isn’t the most motivating, as Rocky admits that he wouldn’t be where he is without this luck of the draw, but it harkens back to the tagline on the original poster that “His whole life was a million-to-one shot” and it’s cool to see Rocky address that aspect.
How is Ivan Drago different in the Rocky IV director’s cut?
Ivan Drago is given more depth in Rocky IV.
Dolph Lundgren famously made Ivan Drago a pop culture icon with little words. People love quoting both “I must break you” and “You will lose.” Furthermore, after the mouthy monster that was Clubber Lang in Rocky III, Drago was a good change of pace as a stoic, well-oiled machine of a fighter. He was like a robot. But incredibly, some shots of subtle Dolph Lundgren acting and a few small lines are inserted and Drago is actually given some crucial layers. He is not given much more dialogue, but you can understand now that Drago was more of a puppet for the Soviet Union and while he showed great pride in his country, he was being oppressed himself and he knew it. Amazingly, Drago became more sympathetic and his killing of Apollo now looks like it was programmed into him, rather than Drago being a cold-blooded killer.
And while Drago was less of a showboat than Clubber Lang, there are a few extra shots where Lundgren got to give Drago some charisma as he would sometimes get cocky during the fight scenes.
How does the director’s cut improve Apollo Creed’s story?
Apollo Creed is given better recognition.
Rocky IV never hid the stakes or the drama of Apollo being prideful and ultimately paying with his life, but the director’s cut expands it a bit more and pays tribute to the character a whole lot better. Rocky avenging Apollo was always apparent in the film, but interestingly, aside from a couple of short lines from Duke, the void that Apollo’s death left wasn’t addressed as much since focus was on Rocky’s bout with Drago. He wasn’t even mentioned in Rocky’s speech at the end…until now.
Firstly, Apollo’s match against Drago is re-edited so that Apollo looks a bit better and is not completely helpless. For a minute or two more, Apollo looks like he handled himself slightly better against Drago so that he’s not outright dominated. Next, the funeral scene is much better this time around. Now, we have Duke give a passionate speech and much more emotional words from Rocky as he breaks down. Finally, Apollo was addressed during Rocky’s speech at the end of his match with Drago as a somber reminder of his demise. Rocky mentions him as a brutal reminder for the Americans and the Russians how Apollo’s pride ultimately did him in and really hammered home the point of “Everybody can change” (which, of course, ended the Cold War!).
Are the fight scenes better in the Rocky IV director’s cut?
The fights are actually better!
This may be a hot take, but I think the fight scenes in Rocky IV have actually improved in the director’s cut. Let me start by saying that I didn’t think it could even be possible. I LOVE the boxing matches in the original Rocky IV. Growing up with it, I know every moment, every music beat, every shot, every sound. Sly obviously learned a thing or two from making Rocky Balboa and even the Creed movies. While the glorious over-the-top spectacles remain, Sly actually paces the fights out to add tension and atmosphere. In the Apollo fight, it starts off resembling more of a real boxing match with Apollo testing Drago with his jabs and dancing around the ring while Drago follows. In the final fight with Rocky, there’s such a great ominous build up with Drago’s entrance theme remastered to sound more sinister. Then, there are moments of tense anticipation in between rounds. Sly actually makes the fights feel more dramatic and tense! There are definitely a few shots from the original that I miss, but as with the rest of the movie, I think there is a lot of positive in both cuts to have a “best of both worlds” edit.
Rocky IV: Theatrical vs Director’s Cut (Key Differences)
More serious tone in the director’s cut
Removal of Paulie’s robot subplot
Expanded Apollo Creed material
More layered portrayal of Ivan Drago
Re-edited, more dramatic fight sequences
Final Thoughts
Stallone’s extended cuts don’t replace the originals, they offer an alternate perspective. Some changes deepen the story, while others remove elements fans loved. Watching both versions provides the fullest experience.
FAQ
Is the Rocky IV director’s cut better than the original?
It depends on preference. Some viewers prefer the more serious tone, while others miss the original’s energy and style.
What is different in the Rocky Balboa director’s cut?
Additional scenes improve character development and pacing, particularly around Rocky’s return to training.
Does the Rambo 4K set include new cuts?
Yes, including an extended version of Rambo: Last Blood.
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