It’s a sentiment that’s not hard to conjure when thinking of the past history of the Rocky franchise.
At their worst, the sequels in the series can feel like exercises in ego; but at their best, they remember that the heart of the underdog is where the best stories lie.
With the spectre of the infamous fifth sequel in Sylvester Stallone’s original run still haunting those who dare mention the prospect of another installment, the fear that the series might lose its way again is something that’s still motivates those involved to keep it on the straight and narrow.