Wake Up With ‘No Easy Way Out’ from ‘Rocky IV’

In case you haven’t noticed, “Rocky IV” has been getting heavy play on basic cable lately. The reason being that the other day was the 35th anniversary of its release in 1985. And needless to say I can’t stop getting Shawshanked by it. I never could. It might be the ultimate 80s movie. The one that should go into the vaults at NORAD to show survivors of a future nuclear holocaust what that magical decade was like.

And this might be its ultimate scene. More than four minutes in the middle of a movie that is nothing but scenes from the previous 3 1/2 movies. Basically a montage made of entirely of montages. Name another director with the audacity to try that. You can’t. It’s never been attempted before or since and Stallone pulls it off.

Though if we’re talking about my favorite moment, it’s this. In 1985, no one could’ve predicted the pause button.