Rocky IV is my FAVORITE of the franchise BECAUSE of its over-the-top antics. Stallone was brilliant in taking boxing out of the ring and placing it on an international stage. The Cold War was in full swing and this movie mirrored it perfectly.

In his post-fight speech he SO beautifully encapsulated everything: “In here there were two guys killin’ each other, but I guess that’s better than 20 million.” ( No doubt referring to the carnage that would result on both sides during a nuclear exchange. )

It was an epic brawl that gained neither man anything - not money, nor a title nor a shot at another boxer. Just bragging rights.

The over-the-top fight showed the futility of it all - as well as the hate that both sides had been programmed to exhibit towards each other.