Common Sense Media Review
By Charles Cassady Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Boxing saga begins to go lightweight; violence, racism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Rocky III
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 18 kid reviews
Kids say that this installment features a more dramatic storyline and new characters, making it enjoyable despite some claims it lacks the magic of its predecessors. Many viewers appreciate the intense boxing and motivational elements, though some acknowledged a touch of racism and violence, leading to mixed ratings.
- dramatic storyline
- intense boxing
- mixed reviews
- inspirational themes
- new characters
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Conveniently forgetting the health problems that threatened him in Rocky II, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) reigns in ROCKY III as a superstar World Heavyweight Champion prizefighter. He's on the verge of retiring undefeated when he's taunted by a contender, a ferocious Chicago brawler called Clubber Lang (Mr. T). Lang demands a showdown with Rocky, who's shocked to find that his longtime trainer, Mickey (Burgess Meredith), has been lining up easy opponents all along. Mickey thinks that the wealthy, comfortable Rocky has gone soft, that the good life has taken away the "eye of the tiger" needed to defeat a raw scrapper like Clubber. After an initial bout ends in defeat (and the sudden, tragic death of Mickey), Rocky must stare down his demons and face Clubber again—this time, with the help of his old enemy Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers).
Is It Any Good?
This disappointing third installment of a great franchise lazily inserts Clubber Lang as a one-dimensional bully with no backstory or redeeming features. It's too bad, because Rocky III actor Mr. T—with no major alteration to his persona, or look, or catchphrase "I pity the fool!"—went on to be a kids' action hero on TV's The A-Team and even his own Saturday morning TV cartoon. The original 1976 Rocky was more than just a sports action flick; it carried a solid underdog message that it doesn't matter if you win or lose, as long as you try your best (or "go the distance" in Rocky-speak). But here that message is knocked right out of the ring.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the lesson in the original Rocky—that it doesn't matter if you win or lose, as long as you "go the distance"—compares with the more success-oriented mania in Rocky III. How does the relationship between Apollo and Rocky play out here, as they change from adversaries to allies?
How would you feel if you learned, like Rocky, that an accomplishment you took pride in was teed up for you without your knowing? How would you deal with those difficult emotions in a healthy, constructive way?
How does this movie continue the recurring themes of the Rocky movies: the value of working hard, grit and determination, and how perseverance can overcome obstacles in your path?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 28, 1982
- On DVD or streaming : February 10, 2005
- Cast : Mr. T , Sylvester Stallone , Talia Shire
- Director : Sylvester Stallone
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : MGM/UA
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Sports ( Boxing )
- Run time : 99 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sports violence, trash talk
- Awards : Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : November 11, 2025
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