MovieChat Forums > Rocky V (1990) Discussion > Is Rocky V canon or not?

Is Rocky V canon or not?

posted 6 years ago by TMC-4 (20488)
21 replies | jump to latest

https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/9z9py5/is_rocky_v_canon_or_not/

Indications it is canon: (1) The Rocky of RB seems financially modest, living in a modest home and running a modest restaurant. Definitely seems to follow the arc of V than IV where he was living in a mansion and driving supercars.
(2) His initial reluctance to train Donnie in Creed - reaching a bit here, but this might be leftover from what happened when he trained and trusted Tommy Gunn.

Indications it is not canon: I actually only have one, but it does bother me a bit. The fact that he was (after some convincing) able to get licensed to box in RB. It seemed like he had severe brain damage in V, the type that wouldn't make getting licensed a question, but the type that would affect his physical day-to-day functioning by age 60. But instead he's objectively healthy and running a business.

[–] captainbucky (15252) 6 years ago

I don’t respond to copy and poserz

[–] Juschill (816) 6 years ago

Isn't that responding?

[–] captainbucky (15252) 6 years ago

You just blew my mind

[–] janelsenor (2048) 6 years ago

It's canon. The original cut of Rocky Balboa included an explanation that the Rocky V diagnosis was wrong and Rocky had never sought out a second opinion.

[–] captainbucky (15252) 6 years ago

Like he had a hebdural hemstomio in his cranium pizza much

[–] Moonglum9 (11340) 6 years ago

Hey, cut it out with all that scientific mumbo jumbo! Not everyone here is a rocket surgeon. I get what you're saying since I have a PhD in burgerology from the college of BK, but have some consideration for those who aren't on the fast track to $15 dollars an hour once that wage raise gets approved.

[–] TJLamb0518 (3316) 6 years ago

Absolutely. In Creed 2, he even alludes to how Drago caused him problems that never went away.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Stallone said in an interview that there were advances made in the study of brain damage between Rocky V and Rocky Balboa, and perhaps what was once considered permanent brain damage in 1990 could be considered a concussion in 2006. I thought it was kind of silly that Rocky was suddenly okay to fight after all those years but part of it could be that he didn't seek another opinion in Rocky V, and also that he reluctantly agreed to stay out of the ring at Adrian's behest.

[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 6 years ago

Concussion?
Wtf? Even a concussion is brain damage.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8859) 5 years ago

Yes, but I think what he was clearly referring to was some kind of very serious, possibly life-altering condition.

While a series of concussions can certainly take their toll, fighters typically suffer a multitude of concussions throughout their careers, whether in the ring or in sparring, and they continue to fight. So Rocky having a simple concussion would not, in and of itself, be a reason to retire.

[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 5 years ago

But in reality any smart person would at all cost avoid them and it’s a good reason to retire.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8859) 5 years ago

The only way to avoid concussions in the fight gane is to not fight at all. By choosing that career, you are by default accepting a certain level of brain damage.

[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 5 years ago

Which is why retiring is a good option at any point and the sooner the better.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8859) 5 years ago

Well basically what you're saying is that boxing just shouldn't exist and Rocky should've chosen a different career from the outset.

That attitude certainly doesn't really work for this film series. I think the series that you're talking about is the one where Rocky is an accountant.

[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 5 years ago

Naw he shouldve attacked the local police for harassing him and shouldve used war knives and machine guns. Fk the Rocky series!

[–] LTUM (1074) 6 years ago

[deleted]

[–] MeYouFools (175) 6 years ago

"Rocky Balboa" also makes reference to "home team", which was Rocky's code for male bonding in "Rocky V." Despite what you may read elsewhere on the internet, Stallone NEVER considered V "non-canon." He knew people didn't like V, but he never EVER said "it didn't happen."

[–] TommyJarvis82 (2600) 5 years ago

This was a good idea for a sequel, but the execution was way off the mark.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8859) 5 years ago

I just rewatched it for the first time in several years, and I thought it was a fairly good film. What would've made it a better is if they had extended the run time another 10 or 15 minutes to flesh out some of the story elements, but as it stands I still think it's solid.

It's definitely a unique, albeit less fun, entry to the franchise, and is generally well-executed. When you have four other films before it that share a lot of the same story elements, it's nice to have one that does something different.

[–] MovieChatUser497 (18943) 5 years ago

Yes it is still canon, it is quite clear that it is in Rocky Balboa because he is still poor, well poor may not be the right word more like he isn't a filthy rich multi-millionaire. If Rocky V were ignored Rocky would still be loaded. Also Rocky uses the "Home Team" line in Rocky Balboa which was a reference to the fifth film.

As for why he's able to get a licence it's quite simple, his condition wasn't as bad as he initially thought and he never went in for a second opinion. He retired after seeing one doctor to make Adrian happy.