Rocky: The Knockout Collection 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The "Rocky: The Knockout Collection" 4K UHD Blu-ray set offers a significant visual upgrade from previous releases, maintaining a filmic authenticity that honors the original aesthetic. Sourced largely from the 2014 remastered Blu-ray masters, this set—with HDR10 and Dolby Vision enhancements—elevates the visuals across the series.

For "Rocky," the 1.85:1 2160p Dolby Vision transfer retains the gritty, raw feel characteristic of 1970s cinema. Details are crisply rendered, from Philadelphia’s grimy locales to the fabric textures in clothing. While some grain smoothing is noted, it judiciously maintains film texture without compromising detail. Enhanced black levels and precise color grading bring out vivid reds and yellows, notably in fight sequences, creating an immersive viewing experience devoid of digital manipulation artifacts.

"Rocky II" benefits from a higher production quality reflected in its cleaner and brighter 1.85:1 2160p transfer. The newer 4K presentation surpasses past releases with improved detail and depth, especially highlighting vibrant primaries during pivotal scenes like training montages and fight sequences. The Dolby Vision HDR enhances contrast while sustaining natural skin tones and shadow gradation.

The films "Rocky III" and "Rocky IV" illustrate marked enhancements with their vibrant 1980s color palettes brought to life through HDR10. Despite their similar visual styles, both films demonstrate enhanced depth and clarity, though some minor compression artifacts appear—more prevalent in bright scenes. Particularly in "Rocky IV," a peculiar, brief shift in aspect ratio is observed, but this anomaly doesn't detract significantly from the overall quality.

The "Rocky vs. Drago: The Ultimate Director's Cut" diverges visually with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio and cooler color grading. Despite some digital noise reduction, it maintains sharpness and clarity, offering a visually distinct rendition that aligns with its more reflective tone. While grain textures differ due to new footage integration, this cut provides a comprehensive enhancement over prior editions, reaffirming its place as a worthwhile addition to any cinephile's collection.

Review of Audio Presentation: Rocky: The Knockout Collection (4K UHD Blu-Ray)

The audio presentation in "Rocky: The Knockout Collection" showcases a spectrum of sonic achievements and missteps. Notably, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "Rocky" offers a competent, though not exceptional, mix that leans heavily on a front-centric soundstage. However, fans are likely to be disappointed with the supposed mono mix, which is in fact a downmix from the 5.1 track rather than the original theatrical audio. This downmix lacks the authenticity sought by purists. While the 5.1 track suffices for casual listening, its minimal surround activity is evident.

For "Rocky II," a significant issue emerges with all audio tracks playing at a pitch approximately 4-5% too low. This mishap affects all elements, from dialogue to music, creating an unnaturally sluggish auditory experience that contrasts starkly with previous releases. Both English and foreign tracks suffer uniformly from this error, indicating potential shortcomings in quality control during production. This systematic pitch problem detracts from the engagement, particularly during iconic scenes where Bill Conti’s score should elevate the cinematic experience.

"Rocky III" offers a reliable DTS-HD MA 5.1 track for English listeners, maintaining clarity and impact, particularly during scenes featuring "Eye of the Tiger." However, international audiences will notice pitch inconsistencies in foreign language tracks, mirroring the issues seen in "Rocky II." Conversely, "Rocky IV" stands out as the collection's audio highlight. Both its original and director's cut offer dynamic and robust presentations without any noticeable technical flaws. From impactful musical sequences to energetic fight scenes, this installment encapsulates what an effective sound design should deliver in a 4K UHD iteration.

Overall, while Rocky IV shines sonically, the series' earlier films demand better quality assurance to meet dedicated fans' expectations.

The "Rocky: The Knockout Collection" UHD Blu-Ray extras are robust yet somewhat underwhelming due to omitted materials from previous releases. The set is a five-disc collection, with the first four discs dedicated to Rocky movies and the fifth containing bonus content on Blu-ray. While the collection has impressive archival commentaries and engaging retrospectives, it lacks some pivotal materials from prior editions. The packaging issues, such as residue on discs, add to the oversight concerns. The "Making Of" documentary is notably shorter than available versions online, reinforcing a sense of missed opportunity despite the abundance of content provided. Enthusiasts of the franchise will appreciate the depth of available retrospectives but may feel shortchanged with the incomplete assembly of historical features.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Tracks featuring Sylvester Stallone and cast/crew members.
• 8MM Home Movies of Rocky: Behind-the-scenes footage with commentary.
• 3 Rounds with Lou Duva: Insights from the boxing trainer.
• Steadicam: Then and Now: Exploration of its impact by inventor Garrett Brown.
• Make-Up! The Art and Form: Insights into makeup techniques from the film.
• Staccato: A Composer's Notebook: Bill Conti discusses composing for Rocky.
• The Ring of Truth: Production work insights from James Spencer.
• A Tribute to Burgess Meredith: Memories shared by colleagues.
• Stallone Meets Rocky: A playful skit featuring Stallone and his character.
• The Making of Rocky vs. Drago: Keep Punching: A behind-the-scenes documentary.
• Trailers: Original promotional trailers.

The latest release of "Rocky: The Knockout Collection" on 4K UHD Blu-ray offers a revisitation to one of cinema's iconic franchises with the original four films remastered. While the absence of "Rocky V" and "Rocky Balboa" raises some eyebrows, the set triumphs with improved visuals and the inclusion of "Rocky IV: The Ultimate Director's Cut," which is designed to deliver a more dramatically satisfying experience. However, several technical issues have come to light, leading Warner Brothers to offer replacement discs. Despite these concerns, the remastering work highlights the endurance and emotional energy of the franchise, particularly in the context of its sociocultural impact.

The collection builds upon Sylvester Stallone's defining role, starting with "Rocky." Celebrated for its rich character development and underdog narrative, this film set a high bar for its sequels. "Rocky II" largely mirrors its predecessor’s formula but falls slightly short of recapturing the original's magic, despite being an engaging continuation of Rocky's battles both inside and outside the ring. Moving into more stylistic realms, "Rocky III" pivoted towards action and spectacle, losing some narrative depth yet maintaining notable charm due to its infectious energy and iconic soundtrack. "Rocky IV" then embraced 80s excess, becoming a hallmark of patriotic entertainment despite its paper-thin plot. The new director’s cut endeavors to add depth and substance to this entry but ultimately serves as an alternative rather than a replacement of the original's flamboyance.

In essence, this collection captures the evolution of a franchise marked by both consistency and variety, showcasing Stallone’s journey across empathetic drama and bombastic action. While not without its flaws in curation and technical execution, this release is an essential acquisition for collectors who seek both nostalgia and refined visual presentation.

"Rocky: The Knockout Collection" in 4K UHD promises to be a triumphant visual celebration for fans of the Italian Stallion, yet falls short in several critical areas. The set includes the first four films, with a striking new director's cut of "Rocky IV", but frustratingly omits the final two installments. Inconsistent quality control plagues the release, with audio discrepancies and mislabeled extras marring the experience. This collection feels akin to recent high-profile rush jobs from major studios, echoing a sentiment of haste over quality. The absence of previously available bonus content further detracts from its allure, leaving aficionados yearning for a more complete experience.

From a technical standpoint, the visuals in 4K Dolby Vision are remarkably sharp, offering an undeniable upgrade over prior releases. However, these gains are overshadowed by defective discs, occasionally necessitating replacements, and a package that doesn't live up to the legacy of such iconic films. The impressive work on visual remastering is negated by these aggravations, presenting a dilemma for both stalwart fans and discerning collectors. With whispers of potential fixes and new versions circulating within the community, cautious consumers may want to await resolution before investing.

In conclusion, "Rocky: The Knockout Collection" is a bittersweet offering. While it makes strides in high-definition presentation, significant oversights and missing content ultimately sully its championship aspirations. Enthusiastic Rocky devotees might find satisfaction in the immediately available enhancements, but broader consumer advice must hinge on Warner Bros. addressing these prevalent issues comprehensively. For now, it's a tentative recommendation, best suited for those eager to embrace Rocky’s rise without awaiting a knockout punch in quality control refinements.