---
title: "Rocky V: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/rocky-v/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/rocky-v"
critics_score: 56
critics_reviews: 7
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Rocky V (1990): what the critics said

Critics' score 56 from 7 reviews: 3 positive, 2 mixed, 2 negative.

## Los Angeles Times

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 November 1990. 

Of the sequels, this one comes closest to the endearing qualities of the first Rocky by resurrecting the lovable, shambling underdog with more human connections and dialogue. It has charm despite frequent absurdities and made the critic smile.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-11-16-ca-4530-story.html)

## The New York Times — Janet Maslin

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 November 1990. 

The film returns Rocky to his South Philadelphia roots and original director for a sloppy but good-natured reminder of what made the character work. It cannily asks audiences to forget the rich blowhard and resume acquaintance with the ordinary Joe.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/16/movies/review-film-rocky-buffeted-by-fists-and-life-returns-to-his-roots.html)

## Empire — Rob Beattie

Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. 

The critic sees Rocky V as a fitting if somewhat grim close to the series, returning to the character's roots after financial ruin and brain damage from prior fights. The opening scene of Rocky in distress stands out as promising more depth than the rest delivers.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/rocky-v-review/)

## Radio Times — John Marriott

Rating 2/5. 

The critic finds it sadly devoid of emotional clout with a going-through-the-motions feel, but notes the only real spark comes from Sage Stallone as Rocky's son.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-r5p66x/rocky-v/)

## Variety — Variety Staff

Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 1990. 

Stallone sinks to a new low with clichés and a thudding lack of storytelling subtlety, including a championship-wrestling-inspired ending. The central problem of Rocky’s brain damage is undercut by the predictable plot turns and strained family/mentoring dynamics.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/1989/film/reviews/rocky-v-1200428259/)

## /Film — William Bibbiani

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 March 2023. 

The critic defends the film against its poor reputation and Stallone's own criticism, arguing it is a satisfying and important chapter that returns Rocky to his roots and emphasizes family and personal connections over fame and glory. It singles out the thematic focus on character strength and how the story sets up later franchise entries for stronger emotional resonance.

[Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1213974/why-sylvester-stallone-is-wrong-and-rocky-v-is-good/)

## Eye for Film — Stephen Carty

Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 4 November 2009. 

The critic finds it a welcome change of pace from the previous two entries with its focus on human drama and return to roots, but notes contrived plot devices and an unsatisfying sense overall that prevent it from living up to its potential. It earns praise for nods to the first film, Stallone's dialogue and performance, and Talia Shire's work, while concluding it betters recent sequels by emphasizing heart over muscles yet fails to deliver a satisfying farewell.

[Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/rocky-v-film-review-by-stephen-carty)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/rocky-v.md