Why is this movie so hated?! It's just as good

I thought it was a decent script, with many decent performances and characterisations, let down by some poor direction and editing. John Avildsen, who directed the original, as well as the Karate Kid films, had clearly got very rusty in the intervening years.

Because it's contrived bollocks.

If Rocky went bankrupt, which the whole Paulie thing didn't ring true in the first place, with his name and brand, it wouldn't take him long to make some money - through interviews, public appearances, workout videos, he could've opened up a nice gym or a nice restaurant in a nice neighbourhood etc which ironically he did in the next film.

He wouldn't have a luxurious lifestyle again but he could have easily avoided moving back to the slums. Then he starts to wear his old clothes, and even though he's become muscular and fit over the years, he just starts smoking again? I know some people start or return to smoking because of worries and stress but it all felt very forced as if the most important thing to Stallone was to get the franchise and the character back to the roots of the original film rather than anything logical.

Then a lot of it is focused on Rocky's son who has aged about 5 years in a week, and frankly most of his scenes are dull.

Burgess Meredith's appearance in the gym is the only good thing about it.

Stacked up against Rocky 6 and the Creed flix, this movie is a damn masterpiece. Just watched it on cable last night and its far better than I remember.

I never got the outright hate from it. I thought it was solid and enjoyable. Sure, Tommy Morrison couldn't act but he did portray a true walking penis based on being easily manipulated.

"Get up, ya sonofabitch! 'cause Mickey loves ya!" ...I always thought that was great.