The much derided fifth instalment of the Rocky saga is not as bad as critical circles would have you believe - especially after the flag-waving antics of the previous movie.

The plot is a logical progression of Rocky's life, he has hit the top and enjoyed the trappings of fame and celebrity, only to find himself back where he started after brother in law Paulie blew millions in investments and injury ended his career.

With only Mickey's gym to his name, Rocky returns to his old neighbourhood, wondering how he might be able to support his family.

Salvation comes in the form of a young, raw boxer called Tommy Gunn.

Rocky reluctantly agrees to manage the kid, who promptly moves into the Balboa household - much to the irritation of Rocky Jr.

The family affairs are dealt with somewhat heavy handedly, playing uot like an episode of Quantum Leap rather than a Rockymovie. But at least it is a return to the drama that was somewhat missing from chapters 3 and 4.

Unfortunately, Richard Gant's George Washington Duke is a pitiful attempt to parody Don King, and Avildsen's montage sequences lack the panache of the previous efforts.

There's a grittier feel to this episode but it's still pretty cliché-ridden, treading an obvious path to a conclusion that, while being far more personal than usual, is nowhere near as touching as any Rocky before it.

A perfectly good movie for Rocky fans, but not the chpater you'd recommend to newcomers. At least it meant Stallone would feel the need for one more round...

Rich Phippen