History Film / RockyV

* SeriesFauxnale: The film was initially intended to be the final instalment of the franchise, [[spoiler:to the point where [[DownerEnding Rocky was originally meant to die]]]], but was poorly received upon release and widely considered a disappointing end to the ''Rocky'' saga. Sixteen years later, ''Film/RockyBalboa'' would serve as the true ending to the original series, and the franchise would subsequently continue with the ''Film/{{Creed}}'' spin-off films.

* DarkerAndEdgier: This was an attempt to recapture the grittier feel of [[Film/{{Rocky}} the first film]] after the apogee of over-the-top excess that was ''Film/RockyIV'', with less appealing results.

* HappyEndingOverride: Rocky is basically forced back to the starting point from [[Film/{{Rocky}} the first movie]] due to a crooked accountant stealing all his money, and him vacating his world heavyweight title in '' Film/{{Rocky IV}}''.

* DudeWheresMyRespect: Tommy Gunn's reason for challenging Rocky at the end of the movie largely stems from this. He's upset about first only getting attention as the student of the famous champion Rocky, and then later for being derided for betraying Rocky and only being a "paper champion". Add on Tommy's DaddyIssues and Duke encouraging his anger at substitute father figure Rocky, and you have a time bomb waiting to go off.
** Additionally, Rocky himself.
--> '''Union Cane:''' The whuppin' you got ain't nothin' like what I got here for ya!
--> '''Tommy Gunn:''' I woulda taken you anytime!
--> Did neither of these clowns even see ''Film/RockyIV''?

* ContrastingSequelAntagonist: In the other films (''Creed'' included), the main antagonists are the rival boxers that Rocky is pitted against. In ''Rocky V'', George Washington Duke is a [[TheChessmaster scheming]] fight promoter who tries everything he can to get Rocky back into the ring, and Rocky never physically fights him. Duke is also [[HateSink completely devoid of the redeeming or honourable qualities]] that Rocky's other opponents have, and his unscrupulous methods to get what he wants make him the closest thing the franchise has to an outright villain.

* VillainHasAPoint: Although Duke is a sleazy {{Jerkass}} who's OnlyInItForTheMoney, he rightfully tries to stop Tommy from fighting Rocky outside the ring, noting Rocky's advantage in experience and the embarrassment Tommy would endure if he lost. there is also the fact the win or lose Tommy gun’s boxing career would be over because there is a cardinal rule in boxing that a professional fighter cannot fight outside the ring for any reason. So that mean he boxing commission would strip him of his right to fight and any other permissions or licenses he had as a boxer as well so when George Washington Duke Said and I quote “you lose you’re finished.” he was technically right But to be more Precise what he should’ve said was “you fight him outside the ring win lose or draw you are done.” [[spoiler: His concerns are proven right when Tommy does lose]].

* VillainousRespect: Though his public praising of Rocky's achievements is insincere showboating, Duke still begrudgingly admits to Tommy in private that Rocky is a more legitimate champion, noting that he "fought wars in the ring" compared to the easy opponents that Tommy has now.

* VillainHasAPoint: Although Duke is a sleazy {{Jerkass}} who's OnlyInItForTheMoney, he rightfully tries to stop Tommy from fighting Rocky outside the ring, noting Rocky's advantage in experience and the embarrassment Tommy would endure if he lost. [[spoiler: His concerns are proven right when Tommy does lose]].

Though this was [[SeriesFauxnale presumed to be the end of the series]], Sylvester Stallone made a sixth film, ''Film/RockyBalboa'', which was released in 2006, and the series then shifted to a new protagonist with ''Film/{{Creed}}''.

Though this was [[SeriesFauxnale presumed to be the end of the series]], Sylvester Stallone made a sixth film, ''Film/RockyBalboa'', which was released in 2006.

* PyrrhicVillainy: Tommy casting Rocky aside in favor of sleazy promoter George Washington Duke gets him fame, the heavyweight title, and presumably money, (although considering that the man Duke is an analogue of is absolutely ''notorious'' for cheating and ripping off his fighters, that last one probably shouldn't be automatically assumed) but Tommy's fame is short lived, because he betrayed Rocky. The press and fans alike turn on him telling him that he'll never be the champ that Rocky ever was, and getting arrested after losing to an aging Rocky in a street fight probably means that Tommy won't profit from his actions nearly as much as he expected to, if at all.

* ContrastingSequelAntagonist: In the other films (''Creed'' included), the main antagonists are the rival boxers that Rocky is pitted against. In ''Rocky V'', George Washington is a [[TheChessmaster scheming]] fight promoter who tries everything he can to get Rocky back into the ring, and Rocky never physically fights him. Duke is also [[HateSink completely devoid of the redeeming or honourable qualities]] that Rocky's other opponents have, and his unscrupulous methods to get what he wants make him the closest thing the franchise has to an outright villain.

* OldMaster: Rocky, now OlderAndWiser himself, attempts to be this to Tommy Gunn, but [[RageAgainstTheMentor it doesn't go nearly as well]] through little fault of Rocky's. He gave his best effort, but [[SocietyMarchesOn the sport, and particularly the corruption at its top levels, had passed him by since he stepped out of the ring]]. On top of that Gunn didn't have the sense to realize that Rocky, unlike George Washington Duke, sincerely had his best interests in mind.

* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome:
** Rocky's strategy as a boxer frequently involved him taking intense headshots and shrugging them off. After years of doing this, especially against the might of Ivan Drago, Rocky learns in this film that he's developed serious brain damage.
** Rocky's inexperience as a trainer causes his relationship with Tommy to drift so far that Tommy ends up siding with a more experienced fight promoter in Duke to help get him a championship opportunity.

* {{Determinator}}: Duke tries everything he can think of to get Rocky back into the ring. Get him to lose all his money? Check. Try to convince him that he doesn't have brain damage? Check. [[spoiler: Steals away Tommy Gunn for a more elaborate scheme later? Check. Bribes Rocky and his family with birthday gifts before rubbing in his face that Tommy Gunn is now with him? Check. Finally has Tommy humiliated just so he can personally force Rocky out of retirement?]] Ccccheck!

* FurAndLoathing: The only furs are worn by the corrupt manager and a woman who seemed to be a gold digger.

** He spends the entirety of the film trying to convince Rocky to get back in the ring, clearly caring much more about the money he would make from Rocky's comeback than the serious danger this would pose to Rocky's health. Rocky does end up fighting Tommy Gunn after Duke manipulates the latter, but does so in an unsanctioned street fight that Duke can't promote or make any money from it.

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: George Washington Duke is a blatant parody of boxing promoter Don King. Near the end of the film, he even says King's famous {{Catchphrase}}, "Only In America".

* OldMaster: Rocky, now OlderAndWiser himself, attempts to be this to Tommy Gunn, but [[RageAgainstTheMentor it doesn't go nearly as well]] through little fault of Rocky's. He gave his best effort, but [[SocietyMarchesOn the sport, and particularly the corruption at its top levels, had passed him by since he stepped out of the ring]]. On top of that Gunn didn't have the sense to realize that Rocky ,unlike George Washington Duke, sincerely had his best interests in mind.

* PassingTheTorch: Rocky provides Tommy the same shorts Apollo gave him later in his career.

* APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedToEvil: Tommy starts the film pleading with Rocky to have Rocky train and teach him, eventually sells out and throws Rocky aside. He even refused to thank Balboa for his success at getting the title belt.

* TheScrappy: In-universe, the press and the crowds do not like Tommy Gunn, [[spoiler:especially after he dumped Rocky for GW Duke]].
* SequelReset: All the wealth made by Rocky as a world famous heavyweight champion in the past sequels has been lost due to a crooked accountant and Rocky is left as poor as he was in the first movie.

* TakeThatScrappy: [[invoked]] [[spoiler:Everyone in the audience was quite happy when Rocky takes Tommy Gunn out in a street fight.]]

* VillainHasAPoint: Tommy should have listened to Duke when he warned that Rocky has more experience in street fighting than him.
* WhatTheHellHero: Adrian called Rocky out on how his continuous attempts at reliving his career through Tommy has alienated his son from him.

* DisproportionateRetribution: Duke's ultimate punishment for turning Tommy against Rocky and subsequently ruining Tommy's career is simply getting punched by Rocky. Although he may have also lost Tommy's trust and respect, though this isn't shown, and Rocky and Tommy having an unsanctioned street fight has ruined Duke's chance of making money off a boxing match between the two.

* KarmaHoudini: Rocky's crooked accountant (unseen in the movie) squandered all his fortune on bad business deals, disappeared, and left him broke. It's mentioned that eight criminal acts were filed against him, but it is not seen if these had any effect.

* PunnyName: Tommy Gunn. Paulie even lampshaded it.

SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome:

* ContrastingSequelAntagonist: In the other films (''Creed'' included), the main antagonists are the rival boxers that Rocky is pitted against. In ''Rocky V'', George Washington is a [[TheChessmaster scheming]] fight promoter who tries everything he can to get Rocky back into the ring, and Rocky never physically fights him. Duke is also [[HateSink completely devoid of the redeeming or honourable qualities]] that Rocky's other opponents have, and his unscrupulous methods to get what he wants make him the closest thing the franchise has to an outright villain

-->'''Rocky''' (to Tommy): Balboa's a street fighter, you're a prizefighter!

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: George Washington Duke, the film's true BigBad, is one of boxing promoter Don King. He even says King's {{Catchphrase}} "Only In America".

* PaperTiger: Union Crane becomes a top contender for the world championship before Rocky retires and became champion once Rocky was no longer in the way, so you'd think he'd be able to put up a fight. Tommy Gunn floors him in the first round after dominating him. (This could be a bonus intended for boxing fans, as Duke's real life counterpart Don King frequently used his influence to get his fighters titles and spots as contenders ahead of more deserving fighters.) The reporters lampshade this when they're deriding Tommy's achievements in the ring.
--> "The guy's a paper champion!"

[[TheOneWith The one]] where Rocky goes all ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' in the end.

* ContrastingSequelAntagonist: In the other films (''Creed'' included), the main antagonists are the rival boxers that Rocky is pitted against. In ''Rocky V'', George Washington is a [[TheChessmaster scheming]] fight promoter who tries everything he can to get Rocky back into the ring, and Rocky never physically fights him. Duke is also [[HateSink completely devoid of the redeeming qualities]] that Rocky's other opponents have, and his unscrupulous methods to get what he wants make him the closest thing the franchise has to an outright villain
* CorruptCorporateExecutive: Of the fight promoter variety. George Washington Duke is a greedy boxing promoter, and is notably the only villain in the ''Rocky'' series ''Creed included)'' that lacks ''any'' redeeming or sympathetic qualities.

* AlwaysSomeoneBetter[=/=]OvershadowedByAwesome: At first Tommy is delighted at being Rocky's pupil and the two become quite friendly, but when he finds Rocky getting more attention than he does and the media always compares the two, he begins to resent Rocky... see also DudeWheresMyRespect below.
* {{Angrish}}: By the final fight between Rocky and Tommy, the already loud and boistrous George Washington Duke descends into this, barely intelligible and actually ''roaring'' at the start of one round.

* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Duke wanted a sanctioned fight between Rocky and Union Cane. When he didn't get that, [[spoiler: he tries to get one for Rocky and Tommy Gunn. He got it, but it wasn't sanctioned...]]

* BigBad: George Washington Duke, the manipulative, scheming manager who encourages Tommy Gunn to take on Rocky Balboa, since Union Cane never won the title from Rocky.

* CorruptCorporateExecutive: Of the fight promoter variety. George Washington Duke is a greedy boxing promoter, and is notably the only villain in the ''Rocky'' series ''(Film/{{Creed}} included)'' that is [[HateSink genuinely hate-able]] and lacks ''any'' redeeming or sympathetic qualities.

* LaserGuidedKarma: Duke is willing to ruin the lives and careers of fighters by ignoring pesky issues like "health risks". At the end of the movie he gets a little taste of what fighters go through, and all his wealth and legal maneuvering didn't help him much. Doubly so if you believe the theory that he was responsible for Rocky losing his fortune, which is exactly what makes his threat to sue Rocky ineffective.
-->'''Duke:''' Touch me and I'll sue.
-->'''Rocky:''' *uppercuts Duke, launching him onto his car* [[BondOneLiner Sue me for]] ''[[BondOneliner what?!]]''

** Paulie seemed to have been tricked into signing power of attorney over to their accountant.

* FlatCharacter: If you thought Ivan Drago was a flat character, just see Union Cane. The guy barely has any screen time or characteristics shown.

* GoodOldFisticuffs: Mentioned; despite being a trained boxer, Rocky was also a former mob-enforcer and knew how to act as a street fighter. Tommy Gunn's new manager even berates him for expecting to use the same skills in a street fight.
-->'''Rocky''' (to Tommy): My ring's outside...

* KarmaHoudini:
** Rocky's crooked accountant (unseen in the movie) who squandered all his fortune on bad business deals, disappeared, and left him broke. It's mentioned that eight criminal acts were filed against him, but it is not seen if these had any effect.

* MadeOfIron: Paulie takes a blow to the head from the Heavyweight Champion of the World and shrugs it off like it was nothing.

* RealityEnsues:
** Seemed to be the mission statement during the production of the film. ''Of course'' Rocky's crappy defense and countless headshots would result in brain damage. ''Of course'' his lousy bum of a brother-in-law would screw things up if left in control of his savings. ''Of course'' his criminal record would come back and bite him as it prevents him from doing endorsements.
** Rocky's inexperience as a trainer causes his relationship with Tommy to drift so far that Tommy ended up siding with a more experienced fight promoter in Duke to help get him a championship opportunity.

* SoapOperaRapidAgingSyndrome: Rocky Jr. (Robert) was nine in ''Film/RockyIV'' when Rocky went to Russia to fight Drago. When he and Adrian return home at the beginning of the film, his son is now in early adolescence. Child actor Rocky Krakoff was originally meant to play Rocky Jr. in early scenes and Sage would play him in the later ones (set in 1990), but when Krakoff proved unavailable, it was decided just to flat use Sage for the whole movie. While not especially convincing, Sage looks far more youthful and fresh-faced at the beginning of the movie than he does in later parts where he's older and harder.

[[caption-width-right:331:''Go for it.'']]

->'''George Washington Duke:''' In the ring! In the ring! Tommy Gunn only fights in the ring!
->'''Rocky:''' My ring's outside.

!!This film has the examples of:

----

** Duke's punishment for turning Tommy against Rocky and ruining Tommy's career is... [[DisproportionateRetribution to be punched by Rocky onto the front of a car]]. Though this feeling is somewhat softened by the fact that he has presumably also lost Tommy's trust and respect. Also Rocky and Tommy having the street fight at the end of the climax ruined Duke's chance of making money off a boxing match between the two which had been his primary motive through out the second half of the movie.

* CorruptCorporateExecutive: Of the fight promoter variety. George Washington Duke is a greedy boxing promoter, and is notably the only villain in the ''Rocky'' series ''(Film/{{Creed}} included)'' that is [[HateSink genuinely hate-able]] and lacks ''any'' [[LikableVillain redeeming or sympathetic qualities]].