Rocky II
Quentin Tarantino consider one of theRockysequels is the best in the series , but he ’s mistaken . Tarantino has come tight to working with Sylvester Stallone on two occasions . The first wasJackie Brown , with Stallone revealing years after the movie ’s going he was offer the role of Louis , which eventually run low to Robert De Niro . QT after near Stallone about play serial killer Stuntman Mike inDeath Proof , which was his one-half of the horror flick double billGrindhouse . Stallone take place , however , feeling uncomfortable about playing a reference who murders untried women ; Kurt Russell finish up playing Mike inDeath Proof .
Quentin Jerome Tarantino is a keen admirer of Stallone ’s work and devoted a chapter toParadise Alleyin his non - fiction bookCinema Speculation . Paradise Alleyis a period drama that was Stallone ’s follow - up toRocky , and he also publish and directed the film . It ’s largely forgotten now , but Tarantino is a self-aggrandising fan ofParadise Alleyand also discourse his thoughts on theRockymovie franchisein the record book . In fact , he has a ( gently ) controversial selection for which of theRockysaga is best .
Related : Why Sylvester Stallone Turned Down Two Different Quentin Tarantino Movies
Tarantino Is Wrong About Rocky II Being The Best
InCinema Speculation , Tarantino country that " Stallone ’s full movie as a director - author - actor is Rocky II ( I even prefer it to the first one ) . " QT lay out his argument forRocky IIbeing superscript , believing that the titular packer ’s struggles in the film mirrored those of Stallone . Just as critics accuse Rocky of concur to the Apollo Creed ( Carl Weathers ) rematch to persist relevant , the loser of Stallone ’s post - Rockymovies saw the pressure claim the same matter . Quentin Jerome Tarantino believes that those who love the character of Rocky Balboa himself should likeRocky IImore .
He also posit thatRocky IIis"superior " because Stallone identifies with both BalboaandCreed the second time around . Rockymade Stallone one of the biggest celebrities in the mankind , but it also made him a mark of the press and movie critic , who seemingly took delight in buck down movies likeParadise Alley . InRocky II , Creed ’s self-importance has been awfully wounded by the response to his Rocky fight , and Tarantino believes this is a reflection of Stallone ’s own impression about fame at the meter .
Tarantino constitute a truly great case forRocky II , and it does feature some splendid work from the mold and Stallone as director . That articulate - as QT himself maneuver out - most people choose the original for unspoiled cause . Stallone found some fresh angles to search forRocky II , but the film sags moderately in the middle act , and it never catch the same aroused highs and lows . Rockyis one of the best sports dramasof all clock time , and Stallone has rarely been better as a performer . Rocky II , while a solid continuation in every horse sense , lack the same king .
Why Tarantino Believes Rocky 3 & 4 Aren’t “Real Movies”
While he ’s filled with praise forRockyandRocky II , Tarantino is n’t so high on the next two entries . He judge the first twoRockysas " material movies , " while bothRocky IIIandRocky IVare " exclusive issue amusing books " where the titulary bagger is " … campaign top-notch villain in films that resemble trailers movie than real movies - like Superman Vs Muhammad Ali . " Sadly , Tarantino stops short of giving a full assessment of the entireRockyfranchise , and he would no doubt have some interesting thoughts on the wide deridedRocky V.
Tarantino Has A Point About The Other Rocky Sequels
In fact -Rocky Vaside - every entry in theRockyandCreedseries has its fans . There ’s a reason the series have been running for over 40 years and tally , as there ’s genuine hearing investiture in the characters and story . Rocky IIIandIVare absolutely products of their time , being lustrous blockbuster with MTV - inspired music montage and a focal point on muscles and machismo . They are both fabulously entertaining too and include aroused scenes such asthe death of Mickey inRocky IIIor Apollo ’s brutal demise fighting Ivan Drago ( Dolph Lundgren ) inRocky IV .
That said , Quentin Tarantino is n’t incisively wrong in his judgment . It ’s hard to track how the grounded reality ofRockyand its 1979 ’s sequel hold path to Balboa symbolically win the Cold War by the timeRocky IV’scredits end . Stallone himself would admitRocky IIIandIVgot pontifical in late years , which is whyRocky Balboaonwards endeavor to render to a most realistic style . Stallone would even revisit the fourth moving picture decennium later withthe director ’s cutRocky vs Drago , which stripped away the sillier elements like Paulie ’s robot girl while including a more spectacular tincture .
Tarantino has never been shy about beam a contrarian opinion on a movie , so his " hot take " thatRocky IIis the best is fairly balmy . If nothing else , he underscore some of the key themes of theRockysequel and analyzes why it was such a personal project for Stallone . For those left a little cold byRocky II , possibly it ’s meter for a rewatch with QT ’s opinion in nous .
