Warner Bros. has announced that the first four Rocky films will be released in glorious 4K Ultra HD with HDR for the first time ever in “Rocky: The Knockout Collection,” giving fans of the acclaimed boxing saga a chance to return to the franchise’s roots as they eagerly await the upcoming release of Creed III. The final two films in the series will be missing from the collection, and Warner Bros. still needs to explain this omission. However, the studio has made up for it by including bonus content that is sure to please fans, such as Sylvester Stallone’s much-loved Rocky V. Drago: The Ultimate Director’s Cut, which only saw a limited theatrical release in 2021.
Regarding film franchises, the Rocky series is, without a doubt, among the longest-running. After more than four decades, fans are just as enamored as they were when the first film came out, and that’s in no small part due to Michael B. Jordan and the Creed films. With this new collection, fans may feel even more connected to the critically acclaimed franchise and its adored leading man, widely considered one of cinema’s most inspirational characters. Rocky, Rocky II, Rocky III, and Rocky IV will be available in 4K with HDR in the new combo box and a digital copy of each film.
Included is the 40-minute extended director’s cut of Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago, in which Stallone reworks the film brilliantly. As Balboa faced a battle against the Soviet Union-backed Ivan Drago, MGM had previously touted Stallone’s edit as including more violent fight scenes, more powerful music, and heightened drama (Dolph Lundgren). The extended director’s cut comes with a Blu-ray disc that consists of a range of extra features and a one-hour documentary on the making of the film.
The tone for the highly successful Rocky franchise was established in the first picture. Rocky Balboa, a down-and-out Philadelphia club fighter, is given a chance to prove himself and win the love of the woman he loves. Stallone’s portrayal, the score, and the exciting action sequences all earned praise for the film. It was nominated for ten Oscars and took home three, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Film Editing. As a result, it shouldn’t have come as a shock when, in 2006, the film was chosen for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for its cultural, historical, or artistic significance. More movies, a prequel series, and spin-offs are planned for the Rocky franchise, which continues to grow.
The release date for “Rocky: The Knockout Collection” has been set for February 28.
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