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(This review contains spoilers. You have been warned.)

Sylvester Stallone was at the pinnacle of his invincible action hero persona by the time the mid-1980s came around, and Rocky III offered a natural continuation of not only the actor's new found success, but Rocky's too.

This third instalment saw director and screenwriter Stallone ditch the slum drama of the first two movies for adrenaline- fuelled entertainment, which brought the series into a new era of glamorous '80s pop culture. Rocky here sounds articulate, wears fancy clothes, and even has a statue standing at the peak of the Philadelphia steps to celebrate his new found fame as the people's champion.

With success, however, comes a price: Rocky has lost his edge, and is given the beating of his life by new up and coming challenger Clubber Lang (Mr. T), and ends up losing his title. Almost immediately afterwards, his beloved mentor Mickey adds to the misery by dying from a heart attack in the dressing room in what is easily the most touching scene of the entire movie. Feeling lost, confused and physically drained, Rocky decides then to take a ride on his motorbike to cool off, and soon discovers the ex-ex-champion Apollo Creed has emerging from the shadows with an interesting proposition.

Apollo attempts to inject some hunger back into Balboa by taking him into the slums of LA to train amongst passionate fighters who have the "Eye of the tiger". What follows is Rocky's struggle to gain his self-esteem and self-respect, making the audience question whether the hero still has what it takes to get back in the ring, against the odds, and regain the title.

Of course, we all know that Rocky will do it; as with all Rocky movies, though, it isn't about the inevitability of the outcome, but rather the sentimentability that takes us there.

Unfortunately, Rocky III offers very little in terms of dialogue and emotional intensity that it won't be remembered as the movie for having the highest tally of purest moments in the series. Here, the priority is action and performance, with the story shifting along frantically with very little hesitation from Stallone.

The simple ego-driven direction of Rocky III is understandable and still true to character, and the film is successful in involving even the non-Rocky movie fans through to the end (in fact, I still remember to this day the first time Rocky III premiered on ITV and I hadn't even watched a minute of the two movies that came before it). Its mainstream appeal is obviously a triumph for the series, particularly given that the trademark "Eye of the tiger" soundtrack is a main feature of '80s pop nights even today, and the introduction of the formidable Mr.T has also inspired many to spout the catchphrase "I pity the fool" for years.

Rocky III is entertaining, yes, but of the six Rocky films in total, this third instalment is probably the most disposable of them all (check the "Boxer vs. Wrestler" scene involving Hulk Hogan, which pretty much sums up the love-hate relationship that audiences have with this second sequel).

(C) Andy Carrington, 2008.