wiki143 - User contributions [en]

Rocky II

2025-10-20T03:20:24Z

100.1.2.26:

{{Short description|1979 film by Sylvester Stallone}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Rocky II
| image = Rocky ii poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Sylvester Stallone]]
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Irwin Winkler]]
* [[Robert Chartoff]]
}}
| writer = Sylvester Stallone
| based_on =
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* Sylvester Stallone
* [[Talia Shire]]
* [[Burt Young]]
* [[Carl Weathers]]
* [[Burgess Meredith]]
}}
| music = [[Bill Conti]]
| cinematography = [[Bill Butler (cinematographer)|Bill Butler]]
| editing = {{Plainlist|
* [[Danford B. Greene]]
* Stanford C. Allen
* Janice Hampton
}}
| studio = Chartoff-Winkler Productions
| distributor = [[United Artists]]
| released = {{Film date|1979|6|15|United States}}
| runtime = 120 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $7 million
| gross = $200.1 million<ref name="The Numbers">{{Cite The Numbers |id=Rocky-2|title=Rocky II|access-date=January 26, 2023}}</ref>
}}
'''''Rocky II''''' is a 1979 American [[Sports film|sports]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] written, directed by, and starring [[Sylvester Stallone]].<ref name="Rocky II">{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/20654/rocky-ii|title=Rocky II|work=TCM database|publisher=[[Turner Classic Movies]]|access-date=February 27, 2016}}</ref> It is the direct sequel to ''[[Rocky]]'' (1976) and the second installment in the [[Rocky (franchise)|''Rocky'' franchise]]. It also stars [[Talia Shire]], [[Burt Young]], [[Carl Weathers]], and [[Burgess Meredith]]. Set immediately after the events of the original film, [[Rocky Balboa]] (Stallone), struggling to adjust to his newfound fame and family life, finds himself in a rematch fiercely demanded by [[Apollo Creed]] (Weathers).

Development of ''Rocky II'' began in 1977, after Stallone completed the screenplay. [[United Artists]] was reluctant to allow Stallone to direct after [[John G. Avildsen]], the director of the first film, was unable to return. Stallone was eventually hired after refusing to allow the film to be made without him as director, and the returns of the rest of the cast were secured soon thereafter. [[Principal photography]] commenced in 1978, with filming held primarily on location in [[Philadelphia]], during which Stallone sustained several injuries. The film is dedicated to the late Jane Oliver who was Stallone's first agent.

''Rocky II'' was theatrically released in the United States by United Artists on June 15, 1979. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its characterization, finale, and Stallone's performance. It grossed $200 million worldwide and $85 million in North America, making it the third [[1979 in film#United States and Canada|highest-grossing film of 1979]] domestically and the second highest-grossing film worldwide. A sequel, ''[[Rocky III]]'', was released in 1982.

==Plot==

On [[New Year's Day]] 1976, world heavyweight boxing champion [[Apollo Creed]] has successfully defended his title in a split decision against challenger [[Rocky Balboa]].{{efn|As depicted in ''[[Rocky]]'' (1976).}} He and Rocky are taken to the same hospital. Despite their agreement that there would be no rematch, Apollo challenges Rocky again that night to prove that Rocky going the distance with him was a fluke, but Rocky declines and retires from [[professional boxing]]. Balboa's girlfriend, Adrian, supports his choice as do his doctors who go on to reveal that Rocky will require [[surgery for a detached retina]], a condition that could lead to permanent blindness. In a private moment, Rocky goes to see a recuperating Apollo, and asks whether Apollo gave his all in the fight; Apollo confirms that he did.

After Rocky is released from the hospital, he enjoys the benefits of his newfound celebrity status. An agent sees Rocky as a potential endorsement and sponsorship goldmine, and his sudden wealth encourages him to propose to Adrian; she happily accepts, and they marry in a small ceremony. Soon after, Adrian reveals that she is pregnant. Meanwhile, Apollo, fueled by hate mail claiming he fixed the fight in order to protect his reign as champ, becomes obsessed with the idea that a rematch is the only way to discredit Rocky's performance. Determined to rectify his boxing career's only blemish, Apollo demands his team do whatever necessary to goad Rocky out of retirement, despite the pleas of his friends and family that Rocky's ability to absorb punishment is too dangerous for his chances to successfully defend the title a second time.

Rocky at first seems unaffected by Apollo's smear campaign, but his limited education and poor manners soon lead him into financial problems. After several unsuccessful attempts to find employment, Rocky visits Mickey Goldmill, his trainer and manager, at his gym to talk about the possibility of facing Apollo. Mickey declines out of concern for Rocky's health, but he changes his mind after Apollo publicly insults Rocky. Adrian confronts Rocky about the danger of returning to boxing and reminds him of the risk to his eyesight, but he retorts that fighting is all he knows. Adrian backs down but refuses to support him.

Rocky and Mickey begin training, but Rocky is unfocused due to Adrian's disapproval. Adrian's brother, Paulie, confronts his sister about not supporting her husband, but Adrian faints during the confrontation and is rushed to the hospital, where she goes into labor. Despite being born prematurely, the baby is healthy, but Adrian falls into a coma. Rocky blames himself for what happened and refuses to leave her bedside until she wakes up, and will not go to see his new baby until the baby can be together with his mother. When Adrian comes out of her coma she finds Rocky by her bedside, and the couple is soon shown their new baby boy, who they name Robert "Rocky Jr". Adrian gives her blessing to the rematch and Rocky quickly gets into shape for the fight.

On [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]], the night of the match, Apollo makes a public goal of beating Rocky in no more than two rounds to prove the first match going the distance was a fluke. Unlike the first fight, Apollo has trained heavily. In order to protect his vulnerable eye, Rocky opts to fight right-handed rather than his natural [[Southpaw stance|southpaw]], but this leaves him at a major disadvantage, as he is knocked down twice by Creed and outclassed for much of the fight. Going into the fifteenth and final round, Creed is well ahead on points and only needs to stay away from Balboa to win the fight by decision. However, Creed wants to win by knock-out in order to erase any doubts about his superiority and ignores his trainer's pleas to stay back.

In the final round, Rocky switches back to his natural stance and, in dramatic fashion, unleashes a series of counter punches on Creed. Both men, exhausted, trade punches until Rocky is able to gain the upper hand and knock Creed down. The blow causes Rocky to also lose his balance and fall at the same time. As both men struggle to regain their feet, Rocky is able to will himself up at the count of 9 while Apollo collapses from exhaustion, giving Rocky the win by knockout and making him the new heavyweight champion. Rocky then gives an impassioned speech to the crowd and holds the belt over his head with a message for his wife, who is watching the fight on television: "Yo, Adrian, I did it!"

== Cast ==
{{see also|List of Rocky characters}}
* [[Sylvester Stallone]] as [[Rocky Balboa|Robert "Rocky" Balboa]], "The Italian Stallion": the underdog who was given one chance at winning the heavyweight championship from Apollo Creed in the first film. Due to the public's belief that it was very possible that Rocky could have won, he gets a second shot at the title in this film.
* [[Talia Shire]] as [[Adrian Pennino|Adrian Balboa]]: Rocky's love interest-turned-wife. During labor, with their first son, she enters a coma for a large portion of the film.
* [[Burt Young]] as [[Paulie Pennino]]: Rocky's best-friend-turned-brother-in-law
* [[Carl Weathers]] as [[Apollo Creed]]: The current world heavyweight champion who gave Rocky a shot at the title in the first film, during which he won by split-decision. Because of the close outcome of the fight the general public believes that Apollo did not necessarily win, and thus he gives Rocky a second chance in a rematch.
* [[Burgess Meredith]] as [[Mickey Goldmill|Michael "Mickey" Goldmill]]: Rocky's friend, manager and trainer; a former [[bantamweight]] fighter from the 1920s and the owner of the local boxing gym.
* [[Tony Burton]] as [[Tony "Duke" Evers]]: Apollo's father-figure, friend, trainer, and manager.
* Sylvia Meals as [[List of Rocky characters#Mary Anne Creed|Mary Anne Creed]]: Apollo Creed's wife.
* Seargeoh Stallone as [[List of Rocky characters#Rocky Balboa Jr.|Robert "Rocky" Balboa Jr.]]: Rocky and Adrian's newborn child. Seargeoh appeared in the film uncredited.
* Paul Micale as [[List of Rocky characters#Father Carmine|Father Carmine]]: Rocky's priest.
* [[Joe Spinell]] as [[List of Rocky characters#Tony Gazzo|Tony Gazzo]]: loan shark and Rocky's friend and former employer.
* [[Frank McRae]] as meat foreman.

Jeff Temkin portrays the ring announcer. Appearing as themselves are referee [[Lou Filippo]] and commentators [[Brent Musburger]], [[Stu Nahan]] and Bill Baldwin. [[LeRoy Neiman]] makes an uncredited non-speaking cameo appearance during the training scenes in the film; he is shown drawing a picture of Apollo while he is training.

==Production==

===Development and writing===
[[File:Rocky II (1979) - Rocky's Run.ogv|thumb|Rocky's run on [[Benjamin Franklin Parkway]], [[Spring Garden, Philadelphia|Spring Garden]] Street, and the [[Rocky Steps]]. Approximately 800 children were used as extras in this scene.]]
After the enormous success of the first ''[[Rocky]]'', the producers were anxious to make a sequel. Stallone again wrote the script, originally titled ''Rocky II: Redemption'', but John G. Avildsen declined to direct again because he was busy with pre-production on ''[[Saturday Night Fever]]''. Stallone wanted the job and waged as big a campaign as he had for the lead role in the previous film. United Artists executives were reluctant to give the actor the directing reins because, while he had previously directed the drama ''[[Paradise Alley]]'', it was not a success. However, producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff understood how much of the success of the first ''Rocky'' had come from Stallone's enormous input and lobbied hard to get him the job. Stallone wanted boxer [[Chuck Wepner]] to play Rocky's sparring partner, but Wepner was in a destructive cycle and failed his audition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Bryan |title='Chuck': Five things you should know about the real 'Rocky' Chuck Wepner |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2017/05/02/who-is-real-rocky-chuck-wepner/101158422/ |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=2018-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129141916/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2017/05/02/who-is-real-rocky-chuck-wepner/101158422/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Filming===
The story development of Rocky surprising Creed by switching to fighting right-handed was not in the original script and only came about because of an accident on set. While getting in shape for the film, Stallone experienced an almost complete tear on his left pectoralis major muscle while trying to bench press 100 kg with bodybuilder [[Franco Columbu]] and underwent a partially successful surgery in order to try to reattach the muscle. Therefore, he could not fight with his left hand.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/06/13/archives/rocky-fights-it-over-sports-of-the-times.html|title=Rocky Fights It over|newspaper=The New York Times|date=13 June 1979}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://theweek.com/articles/491907/sylvester-stallones-aging-physique|title=Sylvester Stallone's aging physique|website=[[The Week]] |date=12 August 2010 }}</ref>

The film's ending fight sequence also posed a challenge because at the time Talia Shire was busy making the drama ''[[Old Boyfriends]]'' and couldn't be on the set. So Stallone came up with the idea of having her watch the fight from home because of the new baby. Adrian's scenes were actually filmed some months later, toward the end of the shoot.{{citation needed|date =November 2021}}

An estimated 800 school children were used as [[extra (actor)|extras]] in the scene in which Rocky runs through Philadelphia<ref>{{cite news
| first = Janet
| last = Maslin
| title = Screen: 'Rocky II' Fights a Rematch: Second Stanza....
| url = http://movies2.nytimes.com/mem/movies/review.html?_r=2&title1=&title2=Rocky%20II%20%28Movie%29&reviewer=JANET%20MASLIN&v_id=41859&pdate=19790615&partner=Rotten%20Tomatoes&oref=slogin&oref=login
| format = Subscription required
| work = [[The New York Times]]
| date = 1979-06-15
}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and climbs the steps at the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]].
{{Clear}}

==Music==
===Soundtrack===
{{Infobox album
| name = Rocky II: Music by Bill Conti
| type = soundtrack
| artist = [[Bill Conti]]
| cover = ROCKYIIOST.jpeg
| alt =
| released = 1979
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Jazz-funk]], [[Rock music|Rock]]
| length = 35:04
| label = [[United Artists Records]] – LP [[EMI Manhattan Records]] – CD
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = ''[[Rocky (film series)|Rocky]]'' soundtrack
| type = Film
| prev_title = [[Rocky: Original Motion Picture Score]]
| prev_year = 1976
| title = Rocky II: Music by Bill Conti
| year = 1979
| next_title = [[Rocky III#Soundtrack|Rocky III: Original Motion Picture Score]]
| next_year = 1982
}}
}}
Just as in the previous installment, [[Bill Conti]] composed the film's music. A soundtrack album containing Conti's score was released on August 25, 1979, and charted on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] for five consecutive weeks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Filmtracks: Rocky II (Bill Conti)|url=http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/rocky2.html|publisher=Filmtracks|access-date=29 October 2012|date=15 December 2009|archive-date=16 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216142240/http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/rocky2.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

# "Redemption" – 2:34
# "[[Gonna Fly Now]]" – 2:35
# "Conquest" – 4:42
# "Vigil" – 6:31
# "All of My Life" – 3:56
# "Overture" – 8:38
# "Two Kinds of Love" – 2:37
# "All of My Life" – 2:27

;Personnel
* Bill Conti – piano (1)
* Mike Lang – piano (8)
* David Duke – horn solo (4)
* Frank Stallone – vocals (7)
* DeEtta Little, Nelson Pigford – vocals (5)

====Chart positions====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Chart (1979)
! Peak position
|-
| US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name = "Allmusic awards">[http://www.allmusic.com/album/rocky-ii-original-motion-picture-score-mw0000191476/awards Rocky II (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Bill Conti – Awards]. ''Allmusic''. Rovi Corporation. Accessed on August 9, 2013.</ref>
| align=center|147
|}

==Reception==

===Box office===
''Rocky II'' opened in 805 theatres and grossed $6,390,537 during its opening weekend,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hannan |first1=Brian |title=In Theaters Everywhere: A History of the Hollywood Wide Release, 1913-2017 |date=2018 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |isbn=978-1-4766-3391-6 |page=202 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=632CDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA181-IA21}}</ref> and $11 million in its first week, to rank [[List of 1979 box office number-one films in the United States|number one at the US box office]].<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Daily Variety]]|title=Golden Glow To Early Summer B.O.|last=Pollock|first=Dale|page=1|date=June 25, 1979}}</ref> It went on to gross $85,182,160 in the United States and Canada, and $200,182,160 worldwide.<ref name="The Numbers"/> It finished in the top three highest-grossing films of 1979, in both the [[1979 in film#Highest-grossing films|North American market]] and [[List of highest-grossing films by year|worldwide]].

''Rocky II'' returned to UA 75% of ''Rocky'''s rentals in the United States and Canada ($42 million vs. $56 million<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/1997/digital/features/rental-champs-rate-of-return-1116680329/|title=Rental Champs Rate of Return|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=December 15, 1997|access-date=July 1, 2018|archive-date=May 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505044012/https://variety.com/1997/digital/features/rental-champs-rate-of-return-1116680329/|url-status=live}}</ref>) when the rule of thumb at the time was that a sequel would only do 30% to 40% of the business of its predecessor.<ref>{{cite news|work=[[Daily Variety]]|title=Year's Number One Grosser Punches A Hole in Theory Covering Sequels & Wickets|last=Pollock|first=Dale|date=October 17, 1979|page=1}}</ref>

===Critical response===
''Rocky II'' holds a 70% approval rating on review aggregation website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], based on 33 reviews. The site's consensus reads: "''Rocky II'' is a movie that dares you to root again for the ultimate underdog – and succeeds due to an infectiously powerful climax."<ref>{{cite web |title='Rocky II |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rocky_ii/ |access-date=February 12, 2024|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango Media]]}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 61 out of 100 based on nine critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rocky II Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/rocky-ii |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Fandom, Inc.]] |archive-date=August 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827184053/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/rocky-ii |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Janet Maslin]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote that the film "has a waxy feeling, and it never comes to life the way its predecessor did."<ref>Maslin, Janet (June 15, 1979). "Screen: 'Rocky II' Fights a Rematch". ''[[The New York Times]]''. C14.</ref> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote, "In its boxing and training scenes ''Rocky II'' packs much of the punch the original did, complete with an exciting pugilistic finale that's even better than its predecessor. However, in an attempt to tell the new story—that of Rocky's adjustment to near-success and an attempt to live a non-boxing life—the plot tends to drag and the picture takes on a murky quality."<ref>"Film Reviews: Rocky II". ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''. 14.</ref> [[Gene Siskel]] gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four and wrote, "What is most remarkable about ''Rocky II'' is that it recalls so many scenes from the original film, which is only three years old and was shown on national television last fall, and yet—amazingly—it all works. Almost every bit of it."<ref>Siskel, Gene (June 15, 1979). "''Rocky II'' doesn't pull any emotional punches". ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. Section 3, p. 1.</ref> [[Charles Champlin]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote that "''Rocky II'' does not merely exploit the original, it extends it logically and grippingly, preserving all the traits of character (and of movie character) that made ''Rocky I'' work so well—those notions that ordinary people are worth knowing about, that love is the surpassing emotion in our lives and that some things are worth struggling hard for, even if there may only be the honor of the struggle to show in the end."<ref>Champlin, Charles (June 17, 1979). "'Rocky II': A Winning Rematch". ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. Calendar, p. 35.</ref> Gary Arnold of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' wrote that the film "slavishly repeats the plot of ''Rocky'', achieving differentiation only in dubious forms: soap opera detours, delaying tactics and an ugly new mood of viciousness surrounding a rematch between the boxers."<ref>Arnold, Gary (June 15, 1979). "'Rocky II': Down For the Count". ''[[The Washington Post]]''. B1.</ref>

===Accolades===
The film won Best Picture at the American Movie Awards<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19800212&id=TXcUAAAAIBAJ&pg=7074,195343&hl=en|title=Alan Alda, Sally Field Earn Outstanding Acting Awards|author=|agency=[[Associated Press]]|work=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=February 12, 1980|page=P2}}</ref> and won the [[People's Choice Award]] for Favorite Motion Picture.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/41859/Rocky-II/awards|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208225551/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/41859/Rocky-II/awards|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 8, 2015|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=2015|title=Rocky II (1979)|access-date=December 2, 2015}}</ref> Dre Rivas of [[Film.com]] included it in his list of top ten films of 1979.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.film.com/features/story/10-best-movies-of-1979/15020416 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210170018/http://www.film.com/features/story/10-best-movies-of-1979/15020416 |title=The 10 Best Movies of 1979 |last=Rivas |first=Dre |work=[[Film.com]] |publisher=[[RealNetworks|Film.com]] |date=June 8, 2007 |archive-date=December 10, 2008 |access-date=June 11, 2010}}</ref>

==Sequel==
{{see also|Rocky III}}
A sequel titled ''Rocky III'', was released in May 1982.

==Other media==
===Novelization ===
A [[novelization]] was published by [[Ballantine Books]] in 1979. Sylvester Stallone was credited as the author. The book is a first-person narrative told by Rocky himself.<ref>{{cite book|title=Rocky II (Book, 1979) |publisher=[WorldCat.org] |date=2016-05-11 |oclc = 5280245}}</ref>

===Video games===
In 1987, ''[[Rocky (1987 video game)|Rocky]]'' was released, based on the first four ''Rocky'' films. In 2002, another ''[[Rocky (2002 video game)|Rocky]]'' was released, based on the first five ''Rocky'' films. In 2004, ''[[Rocky Legends]]'' was released, based on the first four ''Rocky'' films.

==See also==
* [[List of boxing films]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|0079817}}
* {{Mojo title|rocky2}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|rocky_2}}

{{Rocky|Title=Rocky II}}
{{Sylvester Stallone}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rocky II}}
[[Category:1979 films]]
[[Category:1979 drama films]]
[[Category:1970s English-language films]]
[[Category:1970s sports drama films]]
[[Category:1970s American films]]
[[Category:American sequel films]]
[[Category:American sports drama films]]
[[Category:American boxing films]]
[[Category:Thanksgiving in films]]
[[Category:Films set around New Year]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1970s]]
[[Category:Films set in 1976]]
[[Category:Films set in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films shot in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Films shot in California]]
[[Category:Films set in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Films shot in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:American pregnancy films]]
[[Category:Rocky (franchise) films]]
[[Category:United Artists films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Bill Conti]]
[[Category:Films directed by Sylvester Stallone]]
[[Category:Films produced by Irwin Winkler]]
[[Category:Films produced by Robert Chartoff]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Sylvester Stallone]]
[[Category:Films about Italian-American culture]]
[[Category:English-language sports drama films]]

Blade II

2025-06-28T15:29:22Z

100.1.2.26:

{{short description|2002 film by Guillermo del Toro}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = November 2019}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Blade II
| image = Blade II movie.jpg
| alt = Blade standing opposite his opponent, wearing his traditional jet black special suit and sunglasses, wielding his Titanium made, acid edged sword, with a negative background image around him showing the face of an evil [[vampire]]. Near the bottom are the film's name, credits and billing details. Wesley Snipes' name is written on the bottom.
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Guillermo del Toro]]
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* Peter Frankfurt
* [[Wesley Snipes]]
* Patrick Palmer
}}
| writer = [[David S. Goyer]]
| based_on = {{Based on|[[Blade (character)|Blade]]|[[Marv Wolfman]]|[[Gene Colan]]}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* Wesley Snipes
* [[Kris Kristofferson]]
* [[Ron Perlman]]
* [[Leonor Varela]]
* [[Norman Reedus]]
* [[Luke Goss]]
}}
| music = [[Marco Beltrami]]
| cinematography = [[Gabriel Beristain]]
| editing = Peter Amundson
| studio = {{Plainlist|
* [[New Line Cinema]]
* [[Marvel Enterprises]]
* Amen Ra Films
}}
| distributor = New Line Cinema
| released = {{Film date|2002|03|22}}
| runtime = 117 minutes<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/blade-ii-2002-2 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305181130/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/blade-ii-2002-2 | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 5, 2016 | title=''BLADE II'' (18) | work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=March 19, 2002 | access-date=April 29, 2015}}</ref>
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $54 million<ref name="BOM" />
| gross = $155 million<ref name="BOM" />
}}
'''''Blade II''''' is a 2002 American [[superhero film]] based on the [[Marvel Comics]] character [[Blade (character)|Blade]], directed by [[Guillermo del Toro]] and written by [[David S. Goyer]]. The sequel to ''[[Blade (1998 film)|Blade]]'' (1998), it is the second installment in the [[Blade (franchise)|''Blade'' trilogy]]. The film follows the [[Dhampir|human-vampire hybrid]] [[Blade (New Line franchise character)|Blade]] in his continuing effort to [[Vampire hunter|protect humans from vampires]]. Blade must join forces with an elite group of vampires to fight against mutant vampires who plan a global genocide of both vampire and human races.

''Blade II'' was released in the United States on March 22, 2002, and was a box office success, grossing $155 million. It received mixed reviews from critics, earning praise for its performances, atmosphere, direction, and action sequences, although its script and lack of character development have been criticized. The film was followed by ''[[Blade: Trinity]]'' in 2004.

==Plot==

In [[Prague]], [[Blade (New Line franchise character)|Blade]] searches for his mentor [[Abraham Whistler]], who was thought dead after being attacked by [[Deacon Frost]],{{Efn|name=Timeline|depicted in ''[[Blade (1998 film)]]''}} but was instead turned into a vampire and held prisoner by them for two years. After interrogating vampire Rush on Whistler's whereabouts, Blade rescues Whistler and cures him of his vampirism. Whistler meets Scud, Blade's young, gifted new technician.

A pandemic is turning vampires into "Reapers", primal, mutant creatures with a ravenous thirst for blood and a highly infectious bite that transforms both humans and vampires alike. The original carrier of the Reaper strain and cause of the pandemic is Jared Nomak, who bears hatred toward the vampire race. To combat the Reapers, vampire overlord Eli Damaskinos sends his trusted servant Asad and his daughter, Nyssa, to strike a truce with Blade. Knowing humans will be the Reapers’ next target after vampires, Blade reluctantly allies himself with them.

He teams up with the Bloodpack, an elite group of vampires originally assembled to kill him, consisting of Asad, Nyssa, Reinhardt, Chupa, Snowman, Priest, Verlaine, and her lover, Lighthammer. As Reinhardt openly challenges him to fight, Blade, in response, attaches an explosive to the back of his skull to keep him in line. They investigate a vampire nightclub where they encounter the Reapers and discover they are immune to most vampire weaknesses except for [[Ultraviolet|UV]] exposure. Nomak arrives and tries to recruit Blade to his cause, but the latter refuses. Blade fights Nomak but cannot kill him due to his immunity to his weapons before the sun rises and Nomak retreats. Lighthammer is bitten but conceals the bite from the group while Priest is bitten and in the process of turning before being mercy-killed through exposure to sunlight.

Whistler returns to the group after locating the Reaper nest beneath the sewers. Nyssa dissects a dead Reaper and learns that their hearts are encased in durable bone. Scud and Whistler issue new UV weapons for the team and a UV-emitting bomb to take out the entire nest.

Entering the Reaper nest at dawn, Lighthammer transforms into a Reaper and kills Snowman. Verlaine sacrifices herself to kill Lighthammer by exposing them both to sunlight. Chupa turns on Whistler in retaliation for Priest's death, but Whistler secretly releases a cartridge of Reaper [[pheromones]] into the air, luring a horde that kills and devours Chupa. Asad and Nyssa are ambushed, and Asad is killed. Blade saves Nyssa and detonates the UV bomb, killing all the Reapers except Nomak. Nyssa and Reinhardt manage to evade the blast, but Nyssa is seriously injured until Blade allows her to drink his blood to survive.

Damaskinos' forces arrive and capture Blade, Whistler, and Scud. Damaskinos revealed that the Reapers exist due to his efforts to engineer a stronger breed of vampires devoid of their natural weaknesses. Nomak, the first Reaper, is his own son, whom Damaskinos considers a failure. Scud reveals himself to be one of Damaskinos's [[familiars]], but Blade, who already suspected this, kills him with the explosive he planted on Reinhardt earlier, which Scud originally thought was a dud until Blade secretly swapped it with a real explosive.

Damaskinos plans to harvest Blade's blood to develop an immunity to sunlight and create a new, invincible breed of vampires. Whistler frees himself, escapes from Reinhardt, and rescues a weakened Blade. Reinhardt shoots at the two, but Blade falls into Damaskinos' blood pool, restoring his strength. He fights his way through Damaskinos' henchmen and kills Reinhardt.

Nomak enters Damaskinos's stronghold, seeking revenge on his father. Nyssa, seeing how her father holds no regard for his own offspring, betrays Damaskinos by sealing off their escape route, and Nomak kills Damaskinos after failing to negotiate with him. Nomak then bites Nyssa, infecting her with the Reaper virus. Blade and Nomak engage in battle, and he manages to stab Nomak through his encased heart. Wanting to end his suffering, Nomak kills himself with Blade's sword. Fulfilling Nyssa's dying wish, Blade takes her outside and embraces her as her body disintegrates from the sunrise. Sometime later in [[London]], Blade tracks down Rush to a strip club booth and kills him.

==Cast==
* [[Wesley Snipes]] as [[Blade (New Line franchise character)|Eric Brooks / Blade]]: A half-vampire "daywalker" (a [[Dhampir]]) who hunts vampires. Wesley Snipes stated that while such a character is not going to have much emotional depth, he also said that "there's some acting involved in creating the character and making him believable and palatable".<ref>{{cite news |date= April 1, 2002 |author= Bill Higgins |title= A party with a bite |url= https://variety.com/2002/scene/vpage/a-party-with-a-bite-1117864777/ |work= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date= 2020-04-04}}</ref>
* [[Kris Kristofferson]] as [[Abraham Whistler]]: Blade's human mentor and weaponsmith.
* [[Norman Reedus]] as [[Scud]]: Blade's weaponsmith in the absence of Whistler.
* [[Ron Perlman]] as Dieter Reinhardt: A member of the Bloodpack who bears a particular grudge against Blade
* [[Leonor Varela]] as Nyssa Damaskinos: An unapologetic-but-honourable, natural-born vampire and daughter to Damaskinos.
* [[Thomas Kretschmann]] as Eli Damaskinos: An ancient vampire who is obsessed with creating a superior race of vampires as his legacy.
* [[Luke Goss]] as Jared Nomak: [[Index case (medicine)|Patient zero]] and [[Asymptomatic carrier|carrier]] of the Reaper virus. He bears a grudge against his father, Eli Damaskinos, for creating him.
* [[Matt Schulze]] as "Chupa": A pugnacious member of the Bloodpack who bears a particular grudge against Whistler
* [[Danny John-Jules]] as Asad: A well-mannered member of the Bloodpack
* [[Donnie Yen]] as "Snowman": A mute swordsman and member of the Bloodpack
* [[Karel Roden]] as Karel Kounen: A familiar, Damaskinos's human agent and lawyer.
* [[Marit Velle Kile]] as Verlaine: A red-haired member of the Bloodpack and the lover of Lighthammer. The script originally said that she was the twin sister of Racquel from the first movie.
* Daz Crawford as "Lighthammer": A hulking, hammer-wielding member of the Bloodpack with facial tattoos
* [[Tony Curran]] as "Priest": An Irish-accented member of the Bloodpack
* [[Santiago Segura]] as "Rush": A vampire flunky in Prague.

==Production==
Following the success of the original film, [[New Line Cinema]] and [[Marvel Enterprises]] made plans for a sequel in 1999. Goyer had planned to use [[Morbius]] but Marvel wanted to keep the character for a franchise of his own.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jason Myers |title=David Goyer: Stripped to the Bone : Interview |url=http://www.revolutionsf.com/article.php?id=1082 |website=RevolutionSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222080655/http://www.revolutionsf.com/article.php?id=1082 |archive-date=2010-02-22 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Goyer compared the story to ''[[The Dirty Dozen]]''.<ref name="Cinefantastique">[https://archive.org/details/CinefantastiqueVol34No2Apr2002 Cinefantastique Vol 34 No 2 (Apr 2002)]</ref> [[Guillermo del Toro]] was hired to direct ''Blade II'' by New Line Cinema production president [[Michael De Luca]]<ref>{{cite news |date= March 25, 2002 |author= Michael Fleming |title= Helmer scales mountains |url= https://variety.com/2002/voices/columns/helmer-scales-mountains-1117864489/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date= 2018-12-24}}</ref> after [[Stephen Norrington]] turned down the offer to direct the sequel.{{Citation needed|reason=No proof Norrington was offerred or turned down the sequel|date=December 2020}} Goyer and Frankfurt both admired director Guillermo del Toro and believed his dark sensibilities to be ideal for ''Blade II''. Frankfurt first met del Toro when Frankfurt's design company, Imaginary Forces, did the title sequences for ''[[Mimic (film)|Mimic]]'': "I admired ''Mimic'' and got to know Guillermo through that film. Both David Goyer and I have been fans of his since ''[[Cronos (film)|Cronos]]'' and were enthusiastic about him coming on board. Guillermo is such a visual director and has a very strong sense of how he wants a movie to look. When you sign on with someone like Guillermo you're not going to tell him what the movie should look like, you're going to let him run with it". Like Goyer, del Toro has a passion for comic books, in Goyer's comment: "Guillermo was weaned on comic books, as was I. I was a huge comic book collector, my brother and I had about twelve thousand comic books that we assembled when we were kids, so I know my background". [[Tippett Studio]] provided computer-generated visual effects, including digital doubles of some of the characters, while [[Steve Johnson (special effects artist)|Steve Johnson]] and his company XFX were hired to create the prosthetic makeup and animatronic effects.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 21, 2002 |author= Ellen Wolff |title= Artists flaunt character development at confab |url= https://variety.com/2002/digital/features/artists-flaunt-character-development-at-confab-1117870028/ |work= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date= 2018-12-24}}</ref>

Del Toro was tired of the romantic concept of "vampires being tortured Victorian heroes" and wanted vampires to be scary again.<ref name="Cinefantastique" />
Del Toro chose not to alter the script too much from the ideas created by Goyer and Snipes. According to del Toro: "I wanted the movie to have a feeling of both a comic book and [[Anime|Japanese animation]]. I resurrected those sources and viewed them again. I dissected most of the dailies from the first movie; I literally grabbed about four boxes of tapes and one by one saw every single tape from beginning to end until I perfectly understood where the language of the first film came from. I studied the style of the first one and I think Norrington used a tremendous narrative style. His work is very elegant".

Stepping back into Blade's shoes was a challenge Wesley Snipes relished: "I love playing this role. It's fun as an actor to test your skills at doing a sequel, to see if you can recreate something that you did". Peter Frankfurt added that "Wesley is Blade; so much of the character was invented by Wesley and his instincts are so spot on. He takes his fighting, his weapons and attitude very seriously. He's incredibly focused, but he's also very cool and fun".

Del Toro said that "Wesley knows Blade better than David Goyer, better than me, better than anyone else involved in the franchise. He instinctively knows what the character would and wouldn't do, and every time he twists something around, something better would come out".

[[Principal photography|Filming]] took place in the [[Czech Republic]], at [[Prague Studios]]<ref>{{cite web |date=10 July 2001 |last=Meils |first=Cathy |title=Prague Studios gets $1 million upgrade |url=https://variety.com/2001/film/news/prague-studios-gets-1-million-upgrade-1117802712/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=18 June 2012 |author=Steve Head |title=Prague Studios to House $55 Million Blade 2 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/24/prague-studios-to-house-55-million-blade-2 |website=[[IGN]] }}</ref> and [[Barrandov Studios]], as well as London from March 12, 2001, and concluded on July 2 the same year.

==Music==
{{main|Blade II (soundtrack)}}
A soundtrack to the film was released on March 19, 2002, through [[Immortal Records]] and [[Virgin Records]], and which featured collaborations between hip hop artists and electronic artists. This soundtrack appeared on four different [[Billboard charts|''Billboard'' charts]], reaching number 26 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref name="hitsmisses">{{cite news
| title = The Hits and Misses of Marvel Comics Movie Soundtracks
| first = Lilian
| last = Min
| url = http://pitchfork.com/thepitch/867-the-hits-and-misses-of-marvel-comics-movie-soundtracks/
| newspaper = [[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]
| date = August 13, 2015
| access-date = 2016-11-01}}</ref> It spawned two [[Single (music)|single]]s: "Child of the Wild West" and "Mind What You Say".<ref name="judgementnight">{{cite news
| title = The Judgment Night soundtrack foretold the rap-rock apocalypse
| first = Sean
| last = O'Neal
| url = http://www.avclub.com/article/judgment-night-soundtrack-foretold-rap-rock-apocal-241185
| newspaper = [[The A.V. Club]]
| date = August 24, 2016
| access-date = 2016-11-01}}</ref>

==Release==
===Home media===
The New Line Platinum Series [[DVD]] contains several [[deleted scene]]s, including a flashback sequence showing Blade's first meeting with Whistler, and a music video for "Child of the Wild West", performed by [[West Coast hip-hop]] group [[Cypress Hill]] and featuring [[drum and bass]] performer [[Roni Size]] in the DVD special features on disc 2, [[VHS]] Capture, and the theatrical trailer.

A [[Blu-ray]] version was released in 2012.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=8468 |title=Blade II Blu-ray (Updated) |access-date=2025-02-25 |via=www.blu-ray.com}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Box office===
''Blade II'' was released on March 22, 2002. This was during a period of the year (months March and April) considered to be a bad time for sequels to be released.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 22, 2002 |author=Variety staff |title=Weekend Box Office Preview (March 22, 2002) |url= https://variety.com/2002/film/box-office/weekend-box-office-preview-br-march-22-2002-1117864344/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date= 2020-01-01}}</ref> Despite this, the film became the highest-grossing film of the [[Blade (franchise)|''Blade'' series]], making $80 million in the United States and $150 million worldwide. In its opening weekend, the film earned $32,528,016 from 2,707 theaters,<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=blade2.htm |title=''Blade II'' |access-date=2008-12-13 |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref> but dropped 59% of its earnings in its second week, which brought in $13.2 million. The intake is believed to be affected (in part) by the pull of NCAA basketball Final Four games.<ref>{{cite news|author=Dave McNary |title=Col's "Room" at the top |url=https://variety.com/2002/film/box-office/col-s-room-at-the-top-1117864637/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=March 31, 2002 |access-date=2008-12-13}}</ref> The film debuted in the [[United Kingdom]] at number one, making $3.6 million from 355 theaters<ref>{{cite news|author=Don Groves |title="Ice" the rage o'seas |url=https://variety.com/2002/film/box-office/ice-the-rage-o-seas-1117864735/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=April 1, 2002 |access-date=2020-12-03}}</ref> and held the spot for the following week, where it had earned $7.9 million, despite a 47% decline. The film was also number one in [[Singapore]], making $214,000 from 30 theaters.<ref>{{cite news|author=Don Groves |title="Ice" ages well overseas |url= https://variety.com/2002/film/box-office/ice-ages-well-overseas-1117865094/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=April 8, 2002 |access-date= 2008-12-13}}</ref>

===Critical response===
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film has an approval rating of 57% based on 150 reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's consensus reads: "Though ''Blade II'' offers more of what worked in the original, its plot and character development appear to have been left on the cutting room floor."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/blade_ii |title=Blade II |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]] |access-date={{RT data|access date|df=iso}} }}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]] it has a weighted average score of 52 out of 100 based on reviews from 28 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.metacritic.com/movie/blade-ii | title=Blade II (2002) | work= [[Metacritic]] | access-date= December 24, 2020 }}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= CinemaScore |access-date= December 25, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041238/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= July 22, 2018 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all}}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] gave the film three and a half out of four stars, stating: "''Blade II'' is a really rather brilliant vomitorium of viscera, a comic book with dreams of becoming a textbook for mad surgeons".<ref>{{cite news |author= Roger Ebert |author-link= Roger Ebert |url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/blade-ii-2002 |title= Blade II |publisher= [[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date= March 22, 2002 |access-date= 2011-01-06}}</ref> [[James Berardinelli]] gave the film two and a half out of four stars: "''Blade II'' is for those undiscriminating movie-goers who want nothing more from a trip to the multiplex than loud, raucous, mindless entertainment".<ref>{{cite web |date=2002-03-22 |first=James |last=Berardinelli |author-link=James Berardinelli |title=Blade II - Reelviews Movie Reviews |publisher=Reelviews.net |url=http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/b/blade2.html |access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref>

===Accolades===
Like its predecessor, the film was nominated for both [[Saturn Award for Best Horror Film|Best Horror Film]] and [[Saturn Award for Best Make-up|Best Make-up]] at the [[Saturn Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saturnawards.org/saturn_rings/saturn_rings_04.pdf |title=''Minority Report'' & ''Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' Win Big At The 29th Annual Saturn Awards |access-date=May 4, 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402174643/http://www.saturnawards.org/saturn_rings/saturn_rings_04.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2012}}</ref>

==Video game==
A video game ''[[Blade II (video game)|Blade II]]'' was released for the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] on September 3, 2002. Reviews were generally negative.<ref name="MCPS2">{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/blade-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 | title=Blade II for PlayStation 2 Reviews | website=[[Metacritic]] | access-date=September 11, 2021 }}</ref><ref name="MCXB">{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/blade-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox | title=Blade II for Xbox Reviews | website=Metacritic | access-date=September 11, 2021 }}</ref>

==Sequel==
{{main|Blade: Trinity}}
A sequel, ''Blade: Trinity'', was released in 2004.

==See also==
{{Portal|Film}}
* [[Vampire film]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{AFI film}}
* {{Mojo title}}
* {{IMDb title|0187738}}
* {{TCMDb title}}
* [https://archive.today/20121208180720/http://marvel.com/movies/Blade.Blade_II ''Blade II''] at [[Marvel Entertainment, Inc.|Marvel.com]]
* [http://www.horrorlair.com/scripts/blade2.html ''Blade II'' script] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210030134/http://www.horrorlair.com/scripts/blade2.html |date=February 10, 2010 }}

{{Blade}}
{{Marvel comics films}}
{{Guillermo del Toro}}
{{David S. Goyer}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blade Ii}}
[[Category:2002 films]]
[[Category:2002 horror films]]
[[Category:2002 science fiction action films]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:2000s action horror films]]
[[Category:2000s superhero films]]
[[Category:2000s monster movies]]
[[Category:American superhero films]]
[[Category:American science fiction action films]]
[[Category:American action horror films]]
[[Category:American neo-noir films]]
[[Category:American vampire films]]
[[Category:American sequel films]]
[[Category:English-language action horror films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction horror films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction action films]]
[[Category:African-American superhero films]]
[[Category:African-American horror films]]
[[Category:Live-action films based on Marvel Comics]]
[[Category:Blade (franchise)]]
[[Category:Blade (comics) films]]
[[Category:Kung fu films]]
[[Category:Martial arts horror films]]
[[Category:Superhero horror films]]
[[Category:Films about friendship]]
[[Category:Films about genetic engineering]]
[[Category:Fictional-language films]]
[[Category:Serbian-language films]]
[[Category:Films set in 1999]]
[[Category:Films set in London]]
[[Category:Films set in Prague]]
[[Category:Films shot in the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Films shot at Barrandov Studios]]
[[Category:Films shot in London]]
[[Category:Films shot in Toronto]]
[[Category:Films directed by Guillermo del Toro]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by David S. Goyer]]
[[Category:Films scored by Marco Beltrami]]
[[Category:Films produced by Peter Frankfurt]]
[[Category:Films produced by Wesley Snipes]]
[[Category:New Line Cinema films]]

Rocky Balboa (film)

2025-06-26T04:10:44Z

100.1.2.26: Undid revision 1297431861 by 100.1.2.26 (talk)

{{Short description|2006 film by Sylvester Stallone}}
{{Redirect|Rocky VI|the parody by Aki Kaurismäki|Rocky VI (1986 film){{!}}''Rocky VI'' (1986 film)}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Rocky Balboa (2006) theatrical poster.jpg
| alt = The back of Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) in a hoodie pumping his fist, in front of a view of Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Sylvester Stallone]]
| writer = Sylvester Stallone
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Charles Winkler]]
* William Chartoff
* David Winkler
* Kevin King
}}
| based_on = {{Based on|[[List of Rocky characters|Characters]]|Sylvester Stallone}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* Sylvester Stallone
* [[Burt Young]]
* [[Antonio Tarver]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Clark Mathis]]
| editing = Sean Albertson
| music = [[Bill Conti]]
| studio = {{Plainlist|
* [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]
* [[Columbia Pictures]]
* [[Revolution Studios]]
* Chartoff Productions
* [[Winkler Films]]
}}
| distributor = {{Plainlist|
* [[MGM Distribution Co.]] (United States and Canada) 
* [[20th Century Fox]] (International)
}}
| released = {{Film date|2006|12|20}}
| runtime = {{Plainlist|
* 102 minutes (Theatrical cut)
* 116 minutes (Director's cut)
}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $24 million<ref name="the-numbers.com" />
| gross = $156 million<ref name="the-numbers.com">{{cite web |title=Rocky Balboa |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2006/RCKY6.php |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |access-date=June 15, 2009 }}</ref>
}}

'''''Rocky Balboa''''' is a 2006 American [[Sports film|sports]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] starring, written and directed by [[Sylvester Stallone]] in his first film as director [[Rocky IV|since 1985]]. It is the sequel to ''[[Rocky V]]'' (1990) and the sixth installment in the [[Rocky (franchise)|''Rocky'' franchise]]. The film co-stars [[Burt Young]] and [[Antonio Tarver]] in his only acting role. In the film, [[Rocky Balboa]] (Stallone), now an aging small restaurant owner, is challenged to an [[exhibition fight]] by hothead young boxer Mason Dixon (Tarver).

Development for a sixth ''Rocky'' film began after Stallone expressed regret over the outcome of ''Rocky V'', which was viewed as a disappointing conclusion to the series. ''Rocky Balboa'' includes references to characters and objects from previous installments, and Stallone was inspired by recent personal struggles and triumphs when writing the film.<ref name="EWRockyRoad">{{cite magazine|last=Schwartz|first=Missy|title='Rocky' Road|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/01/08/sylvester-stallone-talks-about-rockys-last-bout/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=December 14, 2006|access-date=June 15, 2009}}</ref> It is Stallone's first directorial effort since ''[[Rocky IV]]'' (1985). [[Principal photography]] began in December 2005 and lasted until January 2006, with filming locations including [[Las Vegas]], [[Los Angeles]], and [[Philadelphia]]. In contrast to previous entries in the franchise, the fight choreography in ''Rocky Balboa'' was less scripted, featuring real punches thrown by Stallone and Tarver.

It was theatrically released by [[MGM Distribution Co.]] in North America and [[20th Century Studios|20th Century Fox]] internationally on December 20, 2006, sixteen years after the release of ''Rocky V'' and thirty years after the release of the [[Rocky|first film]]. It received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its screenplay, Stallone's performance, and heartfelt exploration of Balboa's character, with many critics calling it a significant improvement over its predecessor, and many labelling the film one of the best entries in the franchise. It was also a commercial success, grossing $156 million worldwide. A spin-off, ''[[Creed (film)|Creed]]'', was released in 2015 and started its own series.

==Plot==


Sixteen years after his street fight with Tommy Gunn, [[Rocky Balboa]], now approaching sixty years of age, is retired from [[boxing]] and lives a quiet life as a widower, having lost his wife Adrian to [[cancer]] four years prior. He now runs [[The Rye or the Kaiser|a small but successful Italian restaurant]] named after her, where he regales patrons with tales from his past. He also battles personal demons involving his grief over Adrian's death and his eroding relationship with his son Robert, now a moderately successful young corporate [[accountant]]. [[Paulie Pennino|Paulie]], Rocky's best friend and brother-in-law, continues to support him whenever he can, but is guilt-ridden over his past poor treatment toward his late sister and accuses Rocky of living in the past.

Late one night, Rocky meets a woman named Marie, who was once a troublesome young girl Rocky had escorted home [[Rocky (film)|thirty years ago]]. Marie now is a single parent of a teenage son named Stephenson and nicknamed "Steps", born out of wedlock. Rocky's relationship with Marie quickly blossoms over the following weeks and he meets and bonds with Steps, providing him with a much-needed buffer for his anguish.

Meanwhile, on the professional boxing circuit, Mason "The Line" Dixon reigns as the undefeated yet unpopular [[Heavyweight champion|heavyweight world champion]], often ridiculed for having never fought a true contender. This leads to tension with the public and his promoters and encourages him to return to his roots: the small gym he first trained in and his old trainer, who sagely tells him that, inevitably, he will earn back his respect through a true opponent that will test him. [[ESPN]] later broadcasts a computer simulation of a fight between a younger Rocky and Mason{{snd}}likened to a modern-day version of [[The Super Fight]]{{snd}}that ends in a disputed [[Knockout|KO victory]] for Balboa, further riling the champ. In contrast, the simulation inspires Rocky to take up boxing again, an intention that goes public when he successfully renews his boxing license. Dixon's promoters pitch the idea of holding a [[Charity (practice)|charity]] [[Exhibition fight|exhibition bout]] at the [[Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino]] in [[Las Vegas]] to bolster Dixon's floundering popularity. In the midst of this chaos, Paulie is laid off from his job.

With some hesitation, both men agree to the match, creating a media buzz that stabs at Rocky's age and Dixon's credibility. Robert later makes an effort to discourage Rocky from fighting, blaming his own personal failings on his father's celebrity shadow, but Rocky rebukes him with a rousing speech: in order to succeed in life, "it ain't about how hard you hit{{snd}}it's about how hard you can ''get'' hit and keep moving forward!"; blaming others is the coward's way. The next day, father and son meet over Adrian's grave and reconcile; Robert has quit his job to be at Rocky's side.

Rocky sets straight to training with [[Apollo Creed]]'s old trainer, Duke, who quickly surmises that the aging Rocky can only compete by building his strength and punching power as much as possible. On the day of the match, Dixon easily dominates the first round, only to injure his left hand on Rocky's hip in the second. Rocky then makes a dramatic comeback, knocking Mason down, and surprising the audience with his prowess and [[chin (boxing)|chin]] despite his age. The two combatants beat each other severely throughout the full 10 rounds, ending with both men still standing, although Rocky gets the last punch. Rocky thanks an appreciative Dixon for the match and tells him that he is a great champion, while the audience applauds the two fighters. The result is announced as Rocky exits the ring with his family and friends: a win for Dixon by a close split decision, but Rocky does not mind the outcome, and the crowd gives him a final standing ovation.

Rocky returns home and visits Adrian's grave again, thanking her for helping him in spirit; "Yo Adrian, we did it. We did it."

==Cast==
{{see also|List of Rocky characters}}
* [[Sylvester Stallone]] as [[Rocky Balboa|Robert "Rocky" Balboa]], retired boxer and former two-time heavyweight champion.
* [[Burt Young]] as [[Paulie Pennino]], Rocky's brother-in-law and best friend.
* [[Antonio Tarver]] as Mason "The Line" Dixon, Rocky's opponent. Dixon is shown as the current heavyweight champion of the world, but a fighter who is not shown the same respect as Rocky was when he was the world champion.
* [[Milo Ventimiglia]] as Robert Balboa, Jr., Rocky's only son.
* [[Geraldine Hughes]] as Marie, a woman whom Rocky originally met [[Rocky (film)|thirty years ago]].
* James Francis Kelly III as Stephenson ("Steps"), Marie's son, whom Rocky befriends.
* [[Tony Burton]] as [[Tony "Duke" Evers]], Rocky's trainer who has been his head cornerman since Balboa's second fight with [[Clubber Lang]] in ''[[Rocky III]]'' (1982). Duke previously trained [[Apollo Creed]], who was Rocky's nemesis in ''[[Rocky (1976 film)|Rocky]]'' (1976) and ''[[Rocky II]]'' (1979); Duke trained Rocky with Apollo's help in the third film, and he becomes much closer to Rocky after Apollo's death in ''[[Rocky IV]]'' (1985).
* [[Pedro Lovell]] as Spider Rico, Rocky's former opponent and current employee at Adrian's. Lovell reprises his role from the first film.
* [[Jacob Duran|Jacob "Stitch" Duran]] as himself, Mason's cutman.
[[Talia Shire]] reappears as Adrian, Rocky's deceased wife, through the use of archive footage. [[Bert Sugar]], a well-known boxing historian, appears as himself, credited as Ring Magazine reporter. [[Michael Buffer]] also appears as himself, as the announcer for the match between Rocky and Mason, as do boxing promoter [[Lou DiBella]] and [[Mike Tyson]].

==Production==
===Development===
A plot element from ''[[Rocky V]]'' (1990) is not addressed in ''Rocky Balboa''. In the previous film, [[Rocky Balboa]] was diagnosed with brain damage and advised never to fight again. Stallone clarified this apparent inconsistency in an interview:

{{blockquote|text=many athletes have a form of brain damage including football players, soccer players, and other individuals in contact sports such as rugby, etc. Rocky never went for a second opinion and yielded to his wife's wishes to stop. So with the advent of new research techniques into brain damage, Rocky was found to be normal among fighters, and he was suffering the results of a severe concussion. By today's standards Rocky Balboa would be given a clean bill of health for fighters.<ref name="AICNQA1">{{cite web|author=Moriaty|url=https://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/30861|title=Round One With Sylvester Stallone Q&A!! |publisher=[[Ain't It Cool News]] |date=December 1, 2006|access-date=June 15, 2009}}</ref>}}

===Pre-production===
''Rocky Balboa'' gives nods to previous installments via the casting. The most obvious is the return of Stallone, Young, and Burton—the only actors to portray the same characters in all six installments. The character Marie appeared in the original ''Rocky''; she was portrayed by Jodi Letizia. For the final film, Marie is portrayed by [[Geraldine Hughes]]. Although Letizia did reprise the role for ''Rocky V'', the sole scene in which she appeared was deleted. In it, Marie was homeless on the streets of Philadelphia. Another recognizable character who appeared in the previous five films, sportscaster [[Stu Nahan]], provided the commentary for the computer-generated fight between Dixon and Balboa. Nahan was part of the ringside commentary team during all the bouts in the first three films and the Apollo Creed-Ivan Drago fight in ''Rocky IV''. He was diagnosed with lymphoma during the ''Rocky Balboa'' filming, though, and died on December 26, 2007.<ref name="NahanObit">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/sports/Stu.Nahan.2.618339.html |title=Retired L.A. Sportscaster Stu Nahan Dies At 81 |publisher=[[CBS]]2 |date=December 26, 2007 |access-date=June 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327091126/http://cbs2.com/sports/Stu.Nahan.2.618339.html |archive-date=March 27, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> James Binns, who previously appeared as Rocky's attorney in ''Rocky V'', appears as a boxing commissioner in ''Rocky Balboa''. Finally, Pedro Lovell, who portrayed Spider Rico in the original film, returns to the role in ''Rocky Balboa'' as a guest and later employee at Rocky's restaurant.

Tarver's appearance in the film marks the sixth time an active professional boxer has appeared in the series; previous appearances include [[Joe Frazier]] and [[Pedro Lovell]] in ''[[Rocky (1976 film)|Rocky]]'' (1976), [[Roberto Durán]] in ''[[Rocky II]]'' (1979), and [[Tommy Morrison]] and Michael Williams in ''[[Rocky V]]'' (1990). Stallone initially wanted [[Roy Jones Jr.|Roy Jones, Jr.]] to portray Dixon, but after Jones did not return Stallone's phone calls, he tapped Antonio Tarver to fill the role.<ref name="StallIssues">{{cite news |author=DHB |date=December 16, 2006 |title=Stallone has Issues with Roy Jones Jr |url=http://www.doghouseboxing.com/chee/chee_121606.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221152824/http://www.doghouseboxing.com/chee/chee_121606.htm |archive-date=February 21, 2008 |access-date=June 15, 2009 |publisher=Doghouse Boxing}}</ref> Tarver accidentally knocked out Stallone during the filming of one of the segments of the fight.<ref name="OutCold">{{cite news |date=December 21, 2005 |title=Stallone knocked out on 'Rocky' set |url=http://movies.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1070546.php/Stallone_knocked_out_on_Rocky_set |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317114819/http://movies.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1070546.php/Stallone_knocked_out_on_Rocky_set |archive-date=2008-03-17 |access-date=June 15, 2009 |publisher=Monsters and Critics}}</ref>

A number of sports personalities portray themselves. [[Jim Lampley]], [[Larry Merchant]], and [[Max Kellerman]] comprise the ringside broadcast team (all three are commentators for ''[[HBO World Championship Boxing|HBO Boxing]]''). Sportswriters such as [[Bert Sugar]], Bernard Fernandez and Steve Springer also appear. As for actual boxers, [[Mike Tyson]] (who had retired by the film's release) makes a cameo appearance, taunting Dixon as the fighter enters the ring. [[Lou DiBella]], a real-life boxing promoter, portrays himself as Dixon's promoter. Several of ESPN's personalities also portray themselves. ''[[SportsCenter]]'' anchor [[Brian Kenny (sportscaster)|Brian Kenny]] is the host of the fictional ''Then and Now'' series, while ''[[Cold Pizza]]'' and ''[[1st and 10 (ESPN TV series)|1st and 10]]'' hosts [[Jay Crawford]], [[Dana Jacobson]], [[Skip Bayless]] and [[Woody Paige]] also appear. Ring announcer [[Michael Buffer]] appeared as himself, as did referee [[Joe Cortez]].

Regarding his decision not to have [[Talia Shire]] reprise her role as [[Adrian Pennino]], Stallone told ''USA Today'' that, "in the original script, she was alive. But it just didn't have the same dramatic punch. I thought, 'What if she's gone?' That would cut Rocky's heart out and drop him down to ground zero."<ref name="MythicalUSA">{{cite news|last=Keck|first=William|title=Forever yo: Talia Shire's Adrian|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-12-25-talia-shire_x.htm |work=[[USA Today]] |date=December 25, 2006|access-date=June 15, 2009}}</ref> Shire herself said that, in her view, "The film has great regard for the process of mourning. Sly utilizes mourning to empower Rocky, and Adrian is made very mythical."<ref name="MythicalUSA"/>

===Filming===
[[Principal photography]] began in December 2005 in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]. In 2006, it moved to [[Los Angeles, California]] and [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="FilmingLocations">{{cite web|title=Rocky Balboa Filming Locations|url=https://www.movielocationsguide.com/rocky-balboa/filming-locations|publisher=Movie Locations Guide|access-date=June 15, 2009}}</ref>
Scenes in Philadelphia were set in staples such as the [[Rocky Steps]] at the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]] and South Philadelphia, while Center City was featured more prominently due to Rocky Jr.'s job as an attorney. The scene where Rocky and his son were talking while walking down a quiet block was filmed between 20th–21st Streets on Walnut, just after dawn on a Sunday morning.
The production budget on the 38-day shoot was projected to be $23.5 million.{{Citation needed|reason=According to who?|date=August 2024}}<ref name="the-numbers.com" />

=== Cinematography and fight choreography ===
While the dramatic portions of the movie are shot in an obviously cinematic style, the bout between Balboa and Dixon is shot in a number of different ways. The lead-in to the bout, as well as the first two rounds, are shot in a style similar to a major pay-per-view broadcast. Clips from fights in previous ''Rocky'' movies are used during the introductory teaser to introduce Balboa, while stock footage from actual Tarver fights, as well as footage from Dixon's previous fight (shown at the beginning of the film) are used as clips for Dixon's part of the teaser. The fight itself was shot in High Definition to further enhance the TV-style look of the fight.<ref name="AICNQA2">{{cite news|last=Tran |first=An |url=https://www.arri.de/news/newsletter/articles/1220/rocky_balboa.html |title=Going the Distance: Clark Mathis, Lenses Rocky Balboa |publisher=[[Arri]] |date=December 2006 |access-date=June 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080114055614/http://www.arri.de/news/newsletter/articles/1220/rocky_balboa.html |archive-date=January 14, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After the first two rounds, the bout is shot in a more "cinematic" style, reminiscent of the way the fights in the other ''Rocky'' films were shot. Unlike earlier films in the series, the fight is less choreographed and more improvised and is closer to an actual boxing match than a choreographed fight.<ref name="ClimbsCanvas">{{cite news|last=Zwecker|first=Bill|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/movies/172402,CST-FTR-rocky14.article|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070814032746/http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/movies/172402,CST-FTR-rocky14.article|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 14, 2007|title="Rocky" climbs off the canvas|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=December 14, 2006|access-date=June 15, 2009}}</ref> This is a departure from the previous films, where every punch, feint, and step was carefully scripted and practiced.<ref name="TimeWinner">{{cite magazine|last1=Dutka|first1=Elaine|first2=J.D.|last2=Reed|url=https://time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,950695-1,00.html|title=Winner and Still Champion|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=June 14, 1982|pages=1–6|access-date=June 15, 2009|archive-date=November 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103135337/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,950695-1,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

According to the behind-the-scenes documentary portions of the film's DVD, there were slight continuity problems during the filming of the fight. This was said to have been due to the fact that real punches were thrown by both Stallone and Tarver, resulting in some swelling and nosebleeds earlier than scripted. The initial DVD release features an alternate ending as a separate bonus feature in which Rocky wins the fight.{{citation needed|reason=Needs DVD version and timestamp|date=August 2024}}

==Music==
===Score===
Composed by [[Bill Conti]], the ''Rocky Balboa'' [[film score]] is both an updated composition of ''Rocky'' music and a tribute to the music that has been featured in previous Rocky films. Conti, who has acted as composer on every Rocky film except ''Rocky IV'', chose to compose the score almost entirely from musical themes used in the previous movies. Only one original theme was written specifically for ''Rocky Balboa'' and that is the theme written to represent the character of Marie.

The roughly 40-minute score was recorded in the summer of 2006 at Capitol Studios in [[Hollywood, California]]. Conti chose to pre-record the string, brass and piano tracks and then have those tracks mixed with the work of a 44 piece orchestra which he conducted. He also performed all of the piano work himself which is something he has done with each movie for which he has composed the score. Stallone also was involved in every part of the process and attended several of the recording sessions.<ref name="ScoreSession">{{cite web|last=Goldwasser|first=Dan|url=https://scoringsessions.com/news/54/|title=Bill Conti scores Rocky Balboa|publisher=Scoring Sessions|date=June 14, 2006|access-date=June 15, 2009}}</ref>

In addition to the score, the film features original tracks performed by [[Natasha Bedingfield]], [[Three 6 Mafia]], and [[Frank Stallone]] as well as classic tracks such as [[Frank Sinatra|Frank Sinatra's]] "[[High Hopes (1959 song)|High Hopes]]" and [[The Miracles]]' "[[Ooh Baby Baby]]".<ref name="CreditList">{{cite web|url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809278368/cast|title=Rocky Balboa (2006) – Cast and Credits|publisher=[[Yahoo! Movies]]|access-date=June 15, 2009}}</ref> Of the original tracks the most significant is the [[Diane Warren]] song "Still Here", performed by Bedingfield, which was reported to be the film's theme in early articles.<ref name="BedingTheme">{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/read/news/35074884 |title=Natasha Bedingfield records 'Rocky' theme |publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]] |date=August 10, 2006 |access-date=June 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006091549/http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/35074884 |archive-date=October 6, 2008 }}</ref> Though it is still listed in the credits the song was dropped from the film.

===Soundtrack===
{{Main|Rocky Balboa: The Best of Rocky}}
On December 26, 2006, [[Capitol Records]] released a CD titled ''[[Rocky Balboa: The Best of Rocky]]'' which had a logo and cover art that was identical to the film's theatrical poster.

The CD itself contains short dialogue clips and musical tracks, some of which are remixes, from all the ''Rocky'' films.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rocky Balboa: The Best of Rocky - Various Arti... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/rocky-balboa-the-best-of-rocky-mw0000447184#review |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=2024-09-04}}</ref> Only three of nineteen total tracks are from the ''Rocky Balboa'' film: two dialogue tracks and the [[Three 6 Mafia]] song "It's a Fight" (the UK version contains the additional track "Still Here" by [[Natasha Bedingfield]]).

Compositions by ''Rocky IV'' composer [[Vince DiCola]] are absent from the album, except for the song "Hearts on Fire", co-written by DiCola, Ed Fruge and Joe Esposito. DiCola is the only person, other than Bill Conti, to act as composer on a ''Rocky'' film and his work was used extensively on the 1991 compilation CD ''The Rocky Story: Songs from the Rocky Movies''. The missing DiCola tracks are the only tracks on the 1991 CD that are not present on the new CD which indicates an effort to use only ''Rocky Balboa'' composer Conti's tracks.<ref name="Epinions">{{cite web |url=http://www.epinions.com/content_305002352260 |title=Rocky Balboa: The Best of Rocky |publisher=Epinions.com |access-date=June 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626173510/http://www.epinions.com/content_305002352260 |archive-date=June 26, 2008 }}</ref>

==Release==
===Distribution===
''Rocky Balboa'' represents a partnership between [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]], [[Columbia Pictures]] (Columbia's corporate parent [[Sony Pictures]] held a 20% stake in MGM), [[Revolution Studios]], Chartoff Productions and Winkler Films.<ref name=afi>{{Cite web | url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/64007-ROCKY-BALBOA?sid=2d9499b5-351a-4b1b-8454-926d10b21e0a&sr=4.0108414&cp=1&pos=0 |title = ROCKY BALBOA (2006) |access-date=17 May 2023}}</ref> Since the ''Rocky'' series was originally produced and distributed by [[United Artists]] (now [[Amazon MGM Studios]]'s subsidiary studio), the partners jointly decided that the film could and should take advantage of MGM's newly reinvigorated domestic distribution apparatus.<ref name="MGMHandle">{{cite news|url=https://www.mgm.com/corp_news_releases.do?id=470 |title=MGM to handle domestic distribution of "Rocky Balboa" |date=May 17, 2006 |access-date=June 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210180800/http://www.mgm.com/corp_news_releases.do?id=470 |archive-date=December 10, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[20th Century Fox]] handles its theatrical and home video distributions outside of the United States and Canada, while [[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment]] handled its American and Canadian video distributions. In the [[Philippines]] and [[Switzerland]], Fox released the film through joint ventures with [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]. In Japan, the film was promoted by Fox as ''Rocky The Final''. It opened across Japan on April 20, 2007.<ref name="FinalRocky">{{cite web|url=http://movies.foxjapan.com/rockythefinal/site/flash.html|title=Rocky The Final|publisher=Fox Japan|access-date=June 15, 2009|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220065824/http://movies.foxjapan.com/rockythefinal/site/flash.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Marketing===
In late March 2006, the first movie teaser was released on the Internet. The full-length trailer accompanied the theatrical release of ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest]]'' on July 7 in select theaters.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

===Theatrical===
The film was scheduled for release during the [[Presidents' Day (United States)|Presidents' Day]] holiday in 2007, but was moved up to right before Christmas 2006.<ref name="PrezDay">{{cite news|last=Welkos|first=Robert W.|title=Forever the underdog; A sixth 'Rocky' already is the butt of jokes, but producers are betting it can be a winner|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/931784561.html?dids=931784561:931784561&FMT=ABS |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=November 26, 2005|access-date=June 15, 2009}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{Subscription required}}</ref>

=== Director's cut ===
In 2024, Stallone did some minor recuts to the film, but unlike his significant re-editing of Rocky IV, this director's cut is much more conventional. It instead just simply edits most of the deleted scenes (included as a bonus feature on the prior Blu-ray disc) into the movie itself. However, unlike before, the director's cut features completed versions of these scenes to match the quality of the theatrical footage. The only scenes not included in the director's cut are "Paulie's Girlfriend Moves His Things" and the alternate ending, which are still included as deleted scenes on the [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] release. The director's cut runs a total of 116 minutes, 14 minutes longer than the theatrical version.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wurm |first=Gerald |title=Rocky Balboa (Comparison: Theatrical Cut - Director's Cut) - Movie-Censorship.com |url=https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=624655 |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=www.movie-censorship.com}}</ref>

===Home media===
''Rocky Balboa'' was released in three formats: [[Blu-ray]], DVD and [[Universal Media Disc|UMD]]. It was released in Region 1 on March 20 and Region 2 on May 21, 2007. The film has made $35,622,998 in DVD sales.<ref name="the-numbers.com"/> Features on the Blu-ray Disc and DVD include deleted scenes along with an alternate ending (where Rocky wins the split decision), bloopers, a commentary and several featurettes. In addition, the Blu-ray version features all of the DVD's content in [[1080p]] high definition video.<ref name="GearCritech">{{cite web|author=Wreckk|url=https://gearcritech.com/2007/03/16/review-rocky-balboa-blu-ray.php/|title=Rocky Balboa Gearcritech Blu Ray Review|publisher=Gearcritech.com|access-date=June 15, 2009}}</ref> On July 16, 2024, the movie got a 4K UHD release, featuring both the theatrical and director's cut versions of the film, carrying over most of the bonus features from the 2007 Blu-ray disc.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Rocky-Balboa-4K-Blu-ray/358640/#Overview |title=Rocky Balboa 4K Blu-ray (SteelBook) |access-date=2025-02-25 |via=www.blu-ray.com}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Box office===
The film was an unexpected box office success and exceeded studio expectations grossing over three times the opening night estimates of (at best) $2,000,000 and doing so despite a harsh spell of winter weather.<ref name="BOXSly">{{cite news |date=December 21, 2006 |author=Harry Knowles |author-link=Harry Knowles |url=https://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/31054 |title=Sylvester Stallone public statement |publisher=[[Ain't It Cool News]] |access-date=June 15, 2009 }}</ref> The film finished third in its opening weekend, grossing $12,540,000,<ref name="BOXWeekend">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2006W51/|title=Weekend Box Office Results for December 22–24, 2006|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=June 15, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=January 2, 2007 |author=Brandon Gray |title='Museum' Exhibits Holiday Clout |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed1417151492/?ref_=bo_ne_nl |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |quote=nowhere near the league of the first four Rocky's, it's poised to sell more tickets than Rocky V.}}</ref> and eventually became Stallone's most successful starring role since 1993's ''[[Cliffhanger (film)|Cliffhanger]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/name/nm0000230/ |title=Sylvester Stallone Movie Box Office Results |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=June 15, 2009 }}</ref> and the sixth highest grossing boxing film of all time, topped only by the first ''Rocky'' through ''Rocky IV'' and [[Clint Eastwood]]'s ''[[Million Dollar Baby]]''.<ref name="BOXBoxing">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=boxing.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029181312/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=boxing.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 29, 2004 |title=Sports – Boxing |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=June 15, 2009 }} </ref> Total U.S. box office gross receipts were $70,269,899 while the international gross stands at $85,959,151 making for a total worldwide gross of $156,229,050.<ref name="BOXTotal">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3077342721/ |title=Rocky Balboa ticket sales figures |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=September 20, 2019 }}</ref>

===Critical response===
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film had a score of 78% based on a sample of 184 reviews, with an average rating of 6/10. The site's consensus read, "Implausible but entertaining and poignant, ''Rocky Balboa'' finds the champ in fighting form for the first time in years."<ref name="RTReviews">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rocky_balboa/ |title=Rocky Balboa |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=August 12, 2024 }}</ref> On [[Metacritic]] it had a [[weighted arithmetic mean|weighted average]] score of 63 out of 100 based on 36 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="MCReviews">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/rocky-balboa/ |title=Rocky Balboa |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=August 12, 2024 }}</ref> Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film a grade "B+" on a scale of "A+" to "F".<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= CinemaScore |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180206073531/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= February 6, 2018 }}</ref>

On the television show ''[[At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper|Ebert & Roeper]]'', both [[Richard Roeper]] and guest reviewer [[Aisha Tyler]] gave the film a "thumbs up" rating.<ref name="RoeperTyler">{{cite web|url=http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/atm/reviews.html?sec=6&subsec=Rocky+Balboa|title=Rocky Balboa|publisher=[[At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert]]|access-date=June 15, 2009}}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Among other positive reviews were from ''[[Variety magazine|Variety]]'',<ref name="VarietyReview">{{cite news |last=Koehler |first=Robert |url=https://variety.com/2006/film/reviews/rocky-balboa-1117932317/ |title=Rocky Balboa |publisher=[[Variety magazine|Variety]] |date=December 15, 2006 |access-date=June 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626101931/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117932317.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 |archive-date=June 26, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> David Edelstien of ''[[New York Magazine]]'',<ref name="NYMagReview">{{cite magazine|last=Edelstein|first=David|url=https://nymag.com/movies/listings/rv_52564.htm|title=Rocky Balboa|magazine=[[New York Magazine]]|access-date=June 15, 2009|archive-date=July 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712195414/http://nymag.com/movies/listings/rv_52564.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ethan Alter of ''[[Premiere (magazine)|Premiere Magazine]]'',<ref name="PremiereReview">{{cite magazine|last=Alter |first=Ethan |url=https://www.premiere.com/moviereviews/3345/rocky-balboa.html |title=Rocky Balboa |magazine=Premiere Magazine |date=December 18, 2006 |access-date=June 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103093834/http://www.premiere.com/moviereviews/3345/rocky-balboa.html |archive-date=January 3, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Victoria Alexander of Filmsinreview.com,<ref name="VAFilmsinReview">{{cite news |last=Alexander |first=Victoria |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rocky_balboa/articles/1562161/a_certified_crowd_pleaser_stallone_stayed_true_to_rocky_he_gave_rocky_back_to_us_without_dolling_him_up |title=A certified crowd pleaser. Stallone stayed true to Rocky. He gave Rocky back to us without dolling him up. |date=December 13, 2006 |access-date=June 15, 2009 }} {{Dead link|date=August 2024}}</ref> Jeanne Aufmuth of ''[[Palo Alto Weekly]]'',<ref name="PaloAltoReview">{{cite news|last=Aufmuth |first=Jeanne |url=https://www.paloaltoonline.com/movies/moviescreener.php?id=002462&type=long |title=Rocky Balboa |newspaper=[[Palo Alto Weekly]] |date=December 22, 2006 |access-date=June 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524003236/http://paloaltoonline.com/movies/moviescreener.php?id=002462&type=long |archive-date=May 24, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Brett Buckalew of ''Filmstew.com'',<ref name="FilmStewReview">{{cite news|last=Buckalew|first=Brett|url=https://www.filmstew.com/showArticle.aspx?ContentID=15247|title=The Bengay Balboa|publisher=FilmStew.com|access-date=June 15, 2009|archive-date=September 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222821/http://www.filmstew.com/showArticle.aspx?ContentID=15247|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'',<ref>{{cite web |date=December 15, 2006 |author=Michael Rechtshaffen , AP |title=Review: 'Rocky Balboa' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/review-rocky-balboa-146694 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] }}</ref> and [[Owen Gleiberman]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''.<ref name="EWReview">{{cite magazine |date=December 13, 2006 |last=Gleiberman |first=Owen |author-link=Owen Gleiberman |title=Rocky Balboa (2006) |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url=https://ew.com/ew/article/0,,1569422,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106173013/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1569422,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 6, 2007 |access-date=June 15, 2024 }}</ref>

Some criticism came from [[Christy Lemire]], who described the film as [[self-parody]].<ref name="SelfParody">{{cite news |last=Lemire |first=Christy |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/entertainment/2006-12/19/content_762184.htm |title='Rocky' offers self-parody|work=[[China Daily]] |date=December 19, 2006 |accessdate=June 15, 2009}}</ref> [[Kenneth Turan]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' criticized the film's premise as implausible and derivative, and the plot development as cursory.<ref name="Turan">{{cite news |date=20 December 2006 |last1=Turan |first1=Kenneth |author1-link=Kenneth Turan |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |title=Punch drunk and down for the count |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-dec-20-et-rocky20-story.html }}</ref> Colm Andrew of the ''[[Manx Independent]]'' said the film "captures the look and feel of the first Rocky but becomes too much of a sentimental homage" and overall "there is little point in joining Stallone on this ultimately dull nostalgia trip".<ref name="IOMReview">{{cite news|last=Andrew|first=Colm|url=https://www.iomtoday.co.im/what-where-when/filmreviewrocky39s-looking-a-bit-punch.2090755.jp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130108070625/http://www.iomtoday.co.im/what-where-when/FILMREVIEWROCKY39S-LOOKING-A-BIT-PUNCH.2090755.jp|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 8, 2013|title=Filmreview:Rocky's Looking a Bit Punch Drunk|publisher=Isle of Man Today|date=March 1, 2007|access-date=June 15, 2009}}</ref>

Stallone was quoted as having told reporters that he would rather "do something that he enjoyed badly, than feel bad about not doing something he enjoyed."{{Citation needed|date=August 2020}}

The film was greeted warmly by the majority of the boxing community, with many experts believing the Rocky character is still a key symbol of the sport and that the boxing scenes were the most realistic of any film. On the [[DVD]], Stallone attributes this to the fact that he used realistic sound-effects (the previous installments had become notorious for their unrealistic and loud sounds of punches landing) and the fact that both Stallone and Tarver threw real punches at each other.<ref name="BoxingSceneReview">{{cite news |last=Keenan|first=Ronan |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/character-like-rocky-still-relevant-boxing--7080|title=Is a Character Like Rocky Still Relevant to Boxing? |publisher=BoxingScene.com |date=January 24, 2007|access-date=June 15, 2009}}</ref>

==Other media==
===Possible sequel===
In May 2019 at the [[Cannes Film Festival]], Sylvester Stallone said that he had another story about Rocky Balboa.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/other/sylvester-stallone-wants-to-make-a-new-and-really-different-rocky-movie-about-immigration/ar-AABVFOi#page=2|title=Sylvester Stallone wants to make a new and 'really different' Rocky movie about immigration|website=MSN|date=May 25, 2019|access-date=November 8, 2020}}</ref> By July, Stallone confirmed that a sequel film series was in development. The project will be a joint-production venture between Winkler Films Production and MGM. Stallone will serve as writer in addition to starring in the film. Conceptualized as an [[epilogue]] story, the film is said to be about Rocky befriending a young fighter who is a foreigner, stuck illegally in the United States. Stallone states: "Rocky meets a young, angry person who got stuck in this country when he comes to see his sister. He takes him into his life, and unbelievable adventures begin, and they wind up south of the border. It's very, very timely".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/features/sylvester-stallone-rocky-ownership-stake-1203275639/ |title=Sylvester Stallone Feels Robbed of an Ownership Stake in 'Rocky': 'I Was Furious' |work= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=July 23, 2019 |access-date=July 23, 2019}}</ref> By May 2020, Stallone said that he is still working on the film, though it has not yet been officially [[Green-light|green-lit]] by the studio.<ref name="Rocky epilogue_Comicbook.com">{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/sylvester-stallone-new-rocky-movie-ideas-wont-appear-creed-III-michael-b-jordan/ |title=Sylvester Stallone Updates New Rocky Movie, Doesn't Expect to Appear in 'Creed III' With Michael B. Jordan |website=Comicbook.com |last=Bonomolo |first=Cameron |date=May 4, 2020 |access-date=January 16, 2021 }}</ref> In November 2021, Stallone expressed doubt about the film being greenlit, due to his increasingly sour relationship with [[Irwin Winkler]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-02 |title=Stallone on the status of Rocky 7 |url=https://moviehole.net/stallone-on-the-status-of-rocky-7/ |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=Moviehole |language=en-US }}</ref> In November 2022, Stallone confirmed that the studio wants another ''Rocky'' film, but that negotiations to attain part of the rights to the character from the producers stalled development. He further stated that he is writing the script and that if the studio likes his work, the film will be made.<ref name="Future_THR">{{cite web |date=November 7, 2022 |last=Hibberd |first=James |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/sylvester-stallone-interview-rocky-rambo-tulsa-king-1235254384/ |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |title=Sylvester Stallone Gets Candid About Career, Regrets, Feuds: "I Thought I Knew Everything" |access-date=November 8, 2022 }}</ref>

===Spin-off===
{{main|Creed (film)}}
In 2015, ''Rocky Balboa'' was followed by a spin-off titled ''Creed'', taking place nine years after the events in ''Rocky Balboa''.

===Video game===
On December 13, 2006, it was officially announced by [[Ubisoft]] and MGM that a new ''Rocky'' video game, titled ''[[Rocky Balboa (video game)|Rocky Balboa]]'', was to be made exclusively for the [[PlayStation Portable]] handheld console. It was released on March 20, 2007, to coincide with the Blu-ray and DVD release.<ref name="PSPRocky">{{cite news|last=Luce|first=Patrick|url=https://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/news/article_1264409.php/Sylvester_Stallone%92s_Rocky_Balboa_comes_to_DVD_PSP_and_Blu-ray_in_March|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129005909/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/news/article_1264409.php/Sylvester_Stallone%92s_Rocky_Balboa_comes_to_DVD_PSP_and_Blu-ray_in_March|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2013|title=Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa comes to DVD, PSP and Blu-ray in March|publisher=Monsters and Critics|date=February 15, 2007|access-date=June 15, 2009}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of boxing films]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website|http://rocky.com/}}
* [https://rockybalboablog.blogspot.com/ Official Production Blog]
* {{IMDb title|0479143}}

{{Rocky}}
{{Sylvester Stallone}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Film|United States|Sports|2000s|Philadelphia}}

[[Category:2006 films]]
[[Category:2006 drama films]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:2000s sports drama films]]
[[Category:20th Century Fox films]]
[[Category:American sequel films]]
[[Category:American sports drama films]]
[[Category:Columbia Pictures films]]
[[Category:Films about old age]]
[[Category:Films directed by Sylvester Stallone]]
[[Category:Films scored by Bill Conti]]
[[Category:Films set in California]]
[[Category:Films set in Nevada]]
[[Category:Films set in the Las Vegas Valley]]
[[Category:Films set in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Films set in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Films shot in California]]
[[Category:Films shot in the Las Vegas Valley]]
[[Category:Films shot in Nevada]]
[[Category:Films shot in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Films shot in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Sylvester Stallone]]
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films]]
[[Category:Revolution Studios films]]
[[Category:Rocky (franchise) films]]
[[Category:English-language sports drama films]]

Die Hard with a Vengeance

2025-06-25T21:11:04Z

100.1.2.26:

{{short description|1995 film by John McTiernan}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Die Hard with a Vengeance
| image = Die Hard With A Vengance.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[John McTiernan]]
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* John McTiernan
* [[Michael Tadross]]
}}
| screenplay = [[Jonathan Hensleigh]]
| based_on = {{Based on|[[List of Die Hard characters|Characters]]|[[Roderick Thorp]]}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Bruce Willis]]
* [[Jeremy Irons]]
* [[Samuel L. Jackson]]
* [[Graham Greene (actor)|Graham Greene]]
* [[Colleen Camp]]
* [[Larry Bryggman]]
* [[Sam Phillips (musician)|Sam Phillips]]
}}
| music = [[Michael Kamen]]
| cinematography = [[Peter Menzies Jr.]]
| editing = [[John Wright (film editor)|John Wright]]
| studio = [[20th Century Fox]] [[Cinergi Pictures]]
| distributor = 20th Century Fox (United States, Canada and Japan)<ref name="sec.gov">{{Cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/922519/0000912057-97-024463.txt |title=''Die Hard with a Vengeance'' script |access-date=October 25, 2016 |archive-date=October 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026080004/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/922519/0000912057-97-024463.txt |url-status=live }}</ref> Cinergi Productions (International){{efn|Cinergi pre-sold the worldwide distribution rights except for Japan to [[Buena Vista International]] in some regions<ref name="bbfc" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://d23.com/a-to-z/buena-vista-international/ |title=Buena Vista International |access-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617044746/https://d23.com/a-to-z/buena-vista-international/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and assigned [[Summit Entertainment]] as sales agent for other regions.<ref name="sec.gov"/>}}
| released = {{Film date|1995|05|19|United States}}
| runtime = 128 minutes<ref name=bbfc>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/die-hard-vengeance-1970-4|title=''Die Hard with a Vengeance''|publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|date=August 10, 1995|access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-date=April 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415063253/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/die-hard-vengeance-1970-4|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $90 million<ref name="BOM">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0112864/|title=Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995)|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=December 1, 2008|archive-date=June 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630023620/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0112864/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| gross = $366.1 million<ref name="BOM"/>
}}

'''''Die Hard with a Vengeance''''' is a 1995 American [[action film]] directed and produced by [[John McTiernan]], from a screenplay written by [[Jonathan Hensleigh]], and starring [[Bruce Willis]] as [[John McClane]]. It is the sequel to ''[[Die Hard]]'' (1988) and ''[[Die Hard 2]]'' (1990) and the third installment in the [[Die Hard (film series)|''Die Hard'' film series]]. The film also stars [[Jeremy Irons]] and [[Samuel L. Jackson]], and features [[Graham Greene (actor)|Graham Greene]], [[Colleen Camp]], [[Larry Bryggman]] and [[Sam Phillips (musician)|Sam Phillips]].

In the film, [[New York City Police Department|NYPD]] Lieutenant John McClane is embroiled in a plot by a mysterious terrorist calling himself “Simon” (Irons), who extorts the [[New York City|city of New York]] by threatening to detonate several bombs unless McClane solves a series of games scattered across the city. McClane reluctantly partners with a shopkeeper named Zeus Carver (Jackson), and learns the terrorists plot to steal the [[Precious metal#Bullion|gold bullion]] of the [[Federal Reserve Bank of New York]].

Adapted from a [[spec script]] written by Hensleigh, ''Die Hard with a Vengeance'' was the first film in the series not directly based on a literary source material, and the first not to be produced by [[Joel Silver]] and [[Lawrence Gordon (producer)|Lawrence Gordon]], instead being produced by [[Andrew G. Vajna]]’s [[Cinergi Pictures]]. Principal photography took place in New York City and [[South Carolina]].

The film was released on May 19, 1995 and grossed $366.1 million worldwide, becoming [[1995 in film#Highest-grossing films|the highest-grossing film of the year]], and initially received mixed reviews from critics. However, the film has received positive reevaluation over time and is now largely considered the best sequel in the franchise.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://collider.com/die-hard-with-a-vengeance-review/|title = DIE HARD WITH a VENGEANCE Review. DIE HARD WITH a VENGEANCE Stars Bruce Willis|website = [[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date = February 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/ranking-the-die-hard-movies/|title = Ranking the die Hard Movies|date = December 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://culturedvultures.com/ranking-die-hard-movies-worst-best/|title = Ranking Every die Hard Movie from Worst to Best|date = August 6, 2021}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/best-bruce-willis-movies-ranked/|title=These Are The Best Bruce Willis Movies, Ranked|date=November 29, 2021|website=MovieWeb}}</ref>}} The film was followed by ''[[Live Free or Die Hard]]'' in 2007 and ''[[A Good Day to Die Hard]]'' in 2013.

== Plot ==
The [[Bonwit Teller]] department store in [[New York City]] is blown up by a bomb during the [[Commuting|morning commute]]. A man identifying himself as "Simon" telephones the [[New York Police Department]] (NYPD) and claims responsibility. Making demands in the form of a '[[Simon Says]]' game, he threatens to detonate another bomb unless Police Lieutenant [[John McClane]] is sent to [[Harlem]] wearing an intentionally provocative [[sandwich board]] with a [[racial slur]] written on the board. The NYPD comply and send McClane to Harlem, where he is confronted by an electrician and shop owner named Zeus Carver. McClane explains his situation before a group of gang members also confront McClane over his sign. Carver intervenes and saves McClane, and they escape in a taxi.

They arrive at [[1 Police Plaza]], where Simon demands that the pair follow a timed challenge or he will set off more bombs. They agree and McClane eventually boards the [[3 (New York City Subway service)|3 train]] heading towards the [[Wall Street station (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|Wall Street station]] in order to defuse a bomb that Simon planted on it. Carver arrives at the station before McClane finds the bomb and throws it on the tracks just as it explodes. McClane and Carver regroup with the NYPD and meet some [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] and [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] agents, who initially inform the pair that Simon is "Peter Krieg", a [[mercenary]] and former [[colonel]] in the [[National People's Army]]. They then reveal that Krieg's real name is Simon Peter Gruber, the brother of [[Hans Gruber (character)|Hans Gruber]], whom McClane killed years earlier in [[Los Angeles]].{{Efn|As depicted in ''[[Die Hard]]'' (1988).}}

Simon then places another call to the NYPD, informing them that he has planted an explosive in one of the city's [[Primary school|elementary school]]s which is set to explode once class ends and can be triggered by the same radio frequencies utilized by law enforcement. Simon offers to give the authorities the school's location if McClane and Carver follow another timed challenge, warning that he will detonate the explosive if any evacuation attempts are carried out. While the pair solve Simon's next challenge, the NYPD begin to search all elementary schools in the city. McClane realizes that Simon is attempting to distract the NYPD away from [[Wall Street]], which has no schools, and travels to the [[Federal Reserve Bank of New York Building]]. He discovers that Simon's men have stolen $140 billion of [[Precious metal#Bullion|gold bullion]] from its vault using [[dump truck]]s. He follows the trucks into the under-construction [[New York City Water Tunnel No. 3]] while Carver continues Simon's challenges.

Simon blows up a [[cofferdam]] to flood the tunnel, but McClane escapes and reunites with Carver. Surviving a car chase with Simon's men, the pair find all the men were carrying exactly enough money to pay a [[Toll bridge|bridge toll]]. The pair sneak aboard a [[Tanker (ship)|tanker]] docked in the [[Long Island Sound]], but Simon's associates capture them and tie them up next to a bomb. Simon explains that his school threat was fake and broadcasts a message claiming that he is planning on destroying the tanker filled with the bullion to destabilize the [[Western world]]'s economy. After he leaves, Carver and McClane free themselves and escape the tanker just before the bomb detonates. As McClane and Carver are debriefed by the NYPD, McClane informs them that none of the bullion Simon's men stole was in the tanker's [[Hold (compartment)|cargo hold]], having deduced that Simon had intended to keep all of it for himself, using his knowledge of the Gruber family's ''[[modus operandi]]''.

While attempting to place a call to his estranged wife Holly, McClane glances at a bottle of [[aspirin]] given to him by Simon onboard the tanker and notices that it was purchased at a [[truck stop]] in [[Quebec]] on the [[Canada–United States border]]. McClane informs the NYPD of his discovery, and joins them and Carver as they rush towards a warehouse near the truck stop where Simon and his men are redistributing the bullion and planning their escape. The rest of Simon's men are quickly apprehended by law enforcement personnel, though Simon and his girlfriend Katya attempt to escape in a helicopter, attacking McClane. McClane shoots at an overhead power line which falls onto the helicopter, causing it to crash and explode, killing Simon and Katya. While they are celebrating their triumph, Carver persuades McClane to place another call to Holly.

== Cast ==

{{cast listing|
* [[Bruce Willis]] as [[NYPD]] Lieutenant Detective [[John McClane]]
* [[Jeremy Irons]] as Simon Peter Gruber
* [[Samuel L. Jackson]] as Zeus Carver
* [[Graham Greene (actor)|Graham Greene]] as [[NYPD]] Detective Joe Lambert
* [[Colleen Camp]] as [[NYPD]] Detective Connie Kowalski
* [[Larry Bryggman]] as [[NYPD]] Inspector Walter Cobb
* [[Anthony Peck]] as [[NYPD]] Detective Ricky Walsh
* [[Nick Wyman]] as Mathias Targo
* [[Sam Phillips (musician)|Sam Phillips]] as Katya
* [[Stephen Pearlman]] as [[NYPD]] Psychologist Fred Schiller
* [[Kevin Chamberlin]] as [[NYPD]] Bomb Squad Expert Charlie Weiss
* [[Michael Cristofer]] as Bill Jarvis
* [[Richard E. Council|Richard Council]] as Otto
* [[Mischa Hausserman]] as Mischa
* [[Phyllis Yvonne Stickney]] as Wanda Shepard
* [[Damien Demento|Phil Theis]] as Erik
* Sven Toorvald as Karl
* [[Robert Sedgwick (actor)|Robert Sedgwick]] as Rolf
* [[Timothy Adams (actor)|Timothy Adams]] as Gunther
* [[Tony Halme]] as Roman
* [[Aldis Hodge]] as Raymond Carver
* [[John Doman]] as Foreman
* [[Elvis Duran]] as Radio DJ
}}

== Production ==
===Development and writing===
Like most of the films in the series, the premise of this film was repurposed from a stand-alone project. Various scripts were written for ''Die Hard 3''; a number of them were ultimately rejected by Bruce Willis on the grounds that they felt like retreads of the action movies that came in the wake of the first film.<ref name="denofgeek">{{Cite news|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/die-hard/21313/the-strange-history-of-the-die-hard-movies|title=The strange history of the Die Hard movies|newspaper=Den of Geek|access-date=November 11, 2016}}</ref> One script, originally titled ''Troubleshooter'', had McClane fighting terrorists on a Caribbean cruise line, but was rejected for being too similar to ''[[Under Siege]]''.<ref name="latimes">{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-01-ca-1596-story.html|title=OFF-CENTERPIECE : 'Die Hard 3' Blown Out of the Water by 'Siege'|last=Wells|first=Jeffrey|date=November 1, 1992|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] S|issn=0458-3035|access-date=November 11, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202080403/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-01-ca-1596-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Troubleshooter'' was later repurposed for ''[[Speed 2: Cruise Control]]''.<ref name="denofgeek" />

The script ultimately used was intended for a film entitled ''Simon Says'', originally positioned as a [[Brandon Lee]] vehicle and the character of Zeus was written with an actress in mind, but the project was cancelled after Lee's death during filming of ''[[The Crow (1994 film)|The Crow]]''. [[Warner Bros.]] bought the script and rewrote it as a ''[[Lethal Weapon (franchise)|Lethal Weapon]]'' sequel. Warner Bros. later put the script in turnaround, only to be purchased by [[20th Century Fox]] and rewritten as a ''Die Hard'' film.<ref name="denofgeek" />

[[Andrew G. Vajna|Andy Vajna]] replaced [[Joel Silver]] and [[Lawrence Gordon (producer)|Larry Gordon]] as the producer on the film due to a fall-out with Willis.<ref name="latimes" /> As a result, Vajna's company, [[Cinergi Pictures|Cinergi]], acquired foreign rights to the film. In most regions, the film rights were acquired by [[Walt Disney Studios (division)|Disney]] and [[Summit Entertainment]], while Fox retained domestic and Japan rights.<ref name="sec.gov"/> In July 1997, Cinergi sold its 50% stake in the film to Fox for $11.25 million.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 17, 1997|title=Fox buys 'Die Hard' part|url=https://variety.com/1997/film/news/fox-buys-die-hard-part-1116676671/|access-date=October 28, 2020|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031202828/https://variety.com/1997/film/news/fox-buys-die-hard-part-1116676671/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Casting ===
[[Laurence Fishburne]] was originally offered the co-starring role of Zeus Carver, a part also written for him, but wanted a higher fee. Producer Andy Vajna held out on the deal. Fishburne had earlier turned down the role of Jules Winnfield in ''[[Pulp Fiction]]'', which was eventually played by Samuel L. Jackson. Fishburne was talked out of playing Jules by his representatives who wanted him to only accept leading parts, otherwise he would be stuck career-wise as a supporting actor. Subsequently, ''Pulp Fiction'' premiered at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] during the same time as Fishburne's pay negotiations. Vajna also attended the event to support Willis who was appearing in the [[Quentin Tarantino]] film. Tarantino recalled that Vajna was so impressed by Jackson's performance that he offered him the part of Carver instead. Fishburne later filed a lawsuit against Vajna's company Cinergi for reneging on a verbal agreement.<ref>{{cite news |title=Quentin Tarantino Says Laurence Fishburne Turned Down 'Pulp Fiction' Which Led To Him Losing Role In 'Die Hard' |url=https://theplaylist.net/laurence-fishburne-tarantino-pulp-fiction-role-die-hard-20200120/ |work=theplaylist.net |date=28 October 1996 |access-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126040023/https://theplaylist.net/laurence-fishburne-tarantino-pulp-fiction-role-die-hard-20200120/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Fink |first1=Mitchell |title=The Insider |url=https://people.com/archive/the-insider-vol-46-no-18/ |work=People.com |access-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126040021/https://people.com/archive/the-insider-vol-46-no-18/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The lawsuit was settled before going to trial, with Fishburne receiving $750,000 and a guarantee that Cinergi would option a screenplay he had written.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 19, 2020 |last=Jung |first=E. Alex |title=Laurence Fishburne Knows Who He Is |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/laurence-fishburne-in-conversation.html |website=Vulture |access-date=September 2, 2020 |archive-date=August 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821082213/https://www.vulture.com/article/laurence-fishburne-in-conversation.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Beasley |first1=Tom |title='Die Hard With a Vengeance': The strange saga of Laurence Fishburne and how it ended up in court |url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/movies/die-hard-with-a-vengeance-laurence-fishburne-151015302.html |website=Yahoo! Movies |access-date=3 December 2024 |date=14 May 2020}}</ref>

==Music==
{{main|Die Hard with a Vengeance (soundtrack)}}
[[Michael Kamen]] returned to score the third film, again incorporating other material into his score (most notably "[[When Johnny Comes Marching Home]]", not included on the soundtrack album). Excerpts from his scores for ''[[Die Hard]]'' and ''[[Die Hard 2]]'' were also included in the new film. The soundtrack was released by [[RCA Victor]].{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} In 2012, La-La Land Records released an expanded version of the soundtrack, containing music that Kamen had composed but went unused in the final film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lalalandrecords.com/Site/DHWAV.html|title=La-La Land Records' release of Die Hard with a Vengeance - Expanded Score|work=La-La Land Records|access-date=December 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315003908/http://lalalandrecords.com/Site/DHWAV.html|archive-date=March 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Release==
===Theatrical===
Unlike its predecessors, ''Die Hard with a Vengeance'' did not take place during [[Christmas]], but instead being set during the late summer. It opened in theaters on May 19, 1995, five years after ''[[Die Hard 2]]''. Despite concerns about the film portraying bomb threats and terrorism with the [[Oklahoma City bombing]] having occurred the previous month, the film was released as originally scheduled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/may/04/bombing-wont-delay-third-die-hard-movie/|title=Bombing Won't Delay Third 'Die Hard' Movie|date=May 4, 1995 }}</ref>

=== Home media ===
''Die Hard with a Vengeance'' was released on [[VHS]] on December 19, 1995, in the United States by [[Fox Video]] with a [[THX]]-certified version, while it was released in international countries by [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment|Touchstone Home Entertainment]] and released in South Africa on VHS by [[Ster-Kinekor|Ster-Kinekor Home Video]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sIRIAAAAIBAJ&q=die+hard+with+a+vengeance+video+dec+19&pg=PA44|title=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|language=en|access-date=November 10, 2020|archive-date=June 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630023652/https://books.google.com/books?id=sIRIAAAAIBAJ&q=die+hard+with+a+vengeance+video+dec+19&pg=PA44|url-status=live}}</ref> It was then released on [[LaserDisc]] on January 17, 1996, and on [[DVD]] on March 9, 1999. A special edition was released on DVD on July 10, 2001, and then re-released in February 2005 and 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/671/Die-Hard:-With-a-Vengeance-(1995).html|title=Die Hard: With a Vengeance DVD Release Date|access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-date=April 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414092001/https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/671/Die-Hard:-With-a-Vengeance-(1995).html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was released on [[Blu-ray]] in 2007 and 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Die-Hard-with-a-Vengeance-Blu-ray/559/|title=Die Hard with a Vengeance Blu-ray|website=Blu-ray.com|access-date=April 14, 2018|archive-date=April 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414091538/http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Die-Hard-with-a-Vengeance-Blu-ray/559/|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[4K resolution|4K]] release of the film has been made available for digital purchase on services such [[Apple TV]], [[Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Video]], and the [[Microsoft Store]], plus free 4K streaming on select platforms such as [[Disney+]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/die-hard-3 |title=Die Hard: With a Vengeance - watch stream online |language=en |access-date=2025-01-09 |via=www.justwatch.com}}</ref>

==== Alternative ending ====
An alternative ending to the one shown in the final movie was filmed with Jeremy Irons and Bruce Willis, set some time after the events in New York. It can be found on the Special Edition DVD. In this version, it is presumed that the robbery succeeds, and that McClane was used as the scapegoat for everything that went wrong. He is fired from the NYPD after more than 20 years on the force and the FBI has even taken away his pension; it is also mentioned that McClane and his wife Holly have divorced. Nevertheless, he still manages to track Simon using the batch number on the bottle of aspirins and they meet in a bar in [[Hungary]]. In this version, Simon has double-crossed most of his accomplices, gotten the loot to a safe hiding place somewhere in Hungary, and has the gold turned into statuettes of the [[Empire State Building]] in order to smuggle it out of the country. McClane is keen to take his problems out on Simon, who he invites to play a game called "McClane Says". This involves a form of [[Russian roulette]] with a small Chinese rocket launcher that has had the sights removed, meaning it is impossible to determine which end is which. McClane then asks Simon some riddles similar to the ones he played in New York. When Simon gets a riddle wrong, McClane forces him at gunpoint to fire the launcher, which fires the rocket through Simon, killing him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/die-hard-with-a-vengeance-review/|title=Dying Hard: Matt Revisits DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE|work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|first=Matt|last=Goldberg|date=February 13, 2013|access-date=June 13, 2020|archive-date=June 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613042808/https://collider.com/die-hard-with-a-vengeance-review/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Commentary">{{cite AV media|title=Alternate Ending with Optional Commentary with Jonathan Hensleigh|date=March 25, 2002|publisher=[[20th Century Fox]]|people=[[Jonathan Hensleigh]]|trans-title=Audio Commentary}}</ref>

In the DVD audio commentary, screenwriter Jonathan Hensleigh claims that this version was dropped because the studio thought it showed a more cruel and menacing side to McClane, a man who killed for revenge rather than in self-defense. The studio was also displeased with the lack of action in the scene, feeling that it did not fit as a "climax" and therefore chose to reshoot the finale as an action sequence at a significant monetary cost. Hensleigh's intention was to show that the events in New York and the subsequent repercussions had tilted McClane psychologically. This alternative ending, set some time after the film's main events, would have marked a serious break from the ''Die Hard'' formula, in which the plot unfolds over a period of roughly 12 hours.<ref name="Commentary"/>

According to the DVD audio commentary, a second alternative ending had McClane and Carver floating back to shore on a makeshift raft after the explosion at sea. Carver says it is a shame the bad guys are going to get away; McClane tells him not to be so sure. The scene then shifts to the boat where the terrorists find the briefcase bomb they left in the park and which Carver gave back to them (in this version it was not used to blow up the dam). The film would end on a darkly comic note as Simon asks if anyone has a four-gallon jug. This draft of the script was rejected early on – possibly due to the similarity of the ending to ''[[Die Hard 2]]'', where all the villains board a plane that later explodes – so it was never actually filmed. The rocket-launcher sequence was the only alternative ending to be filmed.<ref name="Commentary"/>

== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
''Die Hard with a Vengeance'' opened in the United States on May 19, 1995, and earned $22,162,245 in its opening weekend.<ref name="OneUp">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-23-ca-4908-story.html|title=Weekend Box Office : Latest 'Die Hard' One-Ups 'Die Hard 2'|website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=May 23, 1995 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3008333313/weekend/|title=Die Hard with a Vengeance - Weekend Grosses|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|publisher=[[IMDb]]|access-date=June 11, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308033813/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=diehardwithavengeance.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The film ranked number one at the box office, beating ''[[Crimson Tide (film)|Crimson Tide]]''.<ref name="OneUp" /> In Japan, it set a record opening for 20th Century Fox with a five-day gross of $13.5 million, beating ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' and ranking [[List of 1995 box office number-one films in Japan|number one]] for five consecutive weeks, grossing over $81 million.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|page=12|date=July 10, 1995|title=O'seas B.O. bows to big U.S. pix|last=Groves|first=Don}}</ref><ref name=France/><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|page=32|date=October 2, 1995|title=O'seas auds boost B.O. of U.S. pix|last=Groves|first=Don}}</ref><ref name="BOM"/>}} Its opening in France set a summer record with a gross of $8.8 million in its first 8 days.<ref name=France>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|page=10|date=August 14, 1995|title=O'seas B.O. shimmers in August heat|first=Don|last=Groves}}</ref> The film went on to gross $100,012,499 in the United States and Canada, and $266,089,167 in other markets, giving it a total worldwide gross of $366,101,666 and making it [[1995 in film#Highest-grossing films|the highest-grossing film of 1995]].<ref name="BOM"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/1995/?ref_=bo_cso_table_1|title=1995 Worldwide Box Office|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|publisher=[[IMDb]]|access-date=March 7, 2020|archive-date=June 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611115917/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/1995/?ref_=bo_cso_table_1|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Critical response ===
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of 60% based on 80 reviews, with an average rating of 6.20/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "''Die Hard with a Vengeance'' gets off to a fast start and benefits from Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson's barbed interplay, but clatters to a bombastic finish in a vain effort to cover for an overall lack of fresh ideas."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/die_hard_with_a_vengeance/|title=Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|access-date=January 9, 2024|archive-date=December 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225135706/https://rottentomatoes.com/m/die_hard_with_a_vengeance|url-status=live}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a score of 58 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/die-hard-with-a-vengeance|title=Die Hard: With a Vengeance reviews|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=July 9, 2017|archive-date=October 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019045254/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/die-hard-with-a-vengeance|url-status=live}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="CinemaScore">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeguru.com/021813.htm|title=Weekend Box Office (February 15 - 18, 2013)| first=Gitesh |last=Pandya|publisher=Box Office Guru|date=February 19, 2013|access-date=September 24, 2019|archive-date=September 24, 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190924223955/http://www.boxofficeguru.com/021813.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] of ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave the film three stars out of four, praising the action sequences and the performances of Willis, Jackson, and Irons, concluding: "''Die Hard with a Vengeance'' is basically a wind-up action toy, cleverly made, and delivered with high energy. It delivers just what it advertises, with a vengeance."<ref>{{cite web |date=May 19, 1995 |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=Die Hard With a Vengeance movie review (1995) |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/die-hard-with-a-vengeance-1995 |website=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |access-date=September 6, 2020 |archive-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609152540/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/die-hard-with-a-vengeance-1995 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s [[Owen Gleiberman]] disliked the film, stating that while "[[John McTiernan|[John] McTiernan]] stages individual sequences with great finesse... they don't add up to a taut, dread-ridden whole".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,297354,00.html |title=Die Hard with a Vengeance |author=Randall Wallace |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=May 26, 1995 |access-date=April 28, 2020 |archive-date=December 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223154219/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,297354,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[James Berardinelli]] thought that the explosions and fights were "filmed with consummate skill, and are thrilling in their own right".<ref name="Berardinelli">{{cite web |url=https://preview.reelviews.net/movies/d/die_hard3.html |title=Die Hard with a Vengeance - Reelviews Movie Reviews |author=James Berardinelli |author-link=James Berardinelli |work=Reelviews Movie Reviews |access-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719211306/https://preview.reelviews.net/movies/d/die_hard3.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Samuel L. Jackson]]'s performance in the film was also praised by critics. [[Desson Thomson|Desson Howe]] of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' thought that "the best thing about the movie is the relationship between McClane and Zeus," saying that Jackson was "almost as good as he was in ''[[Pulp Fiction]]''."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/diehardwithavengeancerhowe_c016b7.htm | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=Die Hard With a Vengeance | date=May 19, 1995 | access-date=September 20, 2017 | archive-date=November 11, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111122932/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/diehardwithavengeancerhowe_c016b7.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> For ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', Brian Lowry wrote the film was the "least accomplished" of the ''Die Hard'' series, but "even a subpar adventure won't kill this series, as the pic's built-in audience will make it a major summer attraction, if perhaps one lacking quite the stamina of the first two movies".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/1995/film/reviews/die-hard-with-a-vengeance-1200441643/ |title=Die Hard with a Vengeance |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=May 18, 1995 |access-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225055151/https://variety.com/1995/film/reviews/die-hard-with-a-vengeance-1200441643/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine's Ian Nathan gave the film a three out of five stars review, stating that "''Die Hard with a Vengeance'' is better than ''Die Hard 2'', but not as good as the peerless original. Though it's breathless fun, the film runs out of steam in the last act. And Jeremy Irons' villain isn't fit to tie [[Alan Rickman]]'s shoelaces."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?DVDID=7847 |title=Empire's Die Hard With A Vengeance Movie Review |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402152246/https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?DVDID=7847|archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref>

In the ''Crime Time Filmbook'', which archives various UK film reviews, the film was given a perfect 5-star review, citing it as "...simply the best Action film of the decade, leaving imitators like ''[[Bad Boys (1995 film)|Bad Boys]]'', ''[[Executive Decision]]'', ''[[The Rock (film)|The Rock]]'' and ''[[Chain Reaction (1996 film)|Chain Reaction]]'' in varying depths of shadow.<ref>{{Cite book |last= Ashbrook|first= John|date= 1997|title= The Crime Time Filmbook|location= Harpenden, Herts, AL5 IEQ|publisher= No Exit Press|page= 231|isbn=978-1874061847}}</ref>

Retrospective rankings have called the film the best sequel in the franchise.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://collider.com/die-hard-with-a-vengeance-review/|title = DIE HARD WITH a VENGEANCE Review. DIE HARD WITH a VENGEANCE Stars Bruce Willis|website = [[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date = February 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/ranking-the-die-hard-movies/|title = Ranking the die Hard Movies|date = December 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://culturedvultures.com/ranking-die-hard-movies-worst-best/|title = Ranking Every die Hard Movie from Worst to Best|date = August 6, 2021}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/best-bruce-willis-movies-ranked/|title=These Are The Best Bruce Willis Movies, Ranked|date=November 29, 2021|website=MovieWeb}}</ref>}} ''Empire'' considered it to be one of the 50 greatest film sequels in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/50greatestsequels/ |title=The Greatest Movie Sequels |author= |date=August 25, 2009 |website=Empire |access-date=September 1, 2020 |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915192436/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/50greatestsequels/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ben Sherlock of ''[[Screen Rant]]'' regarded it as the best sequel of the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/die-hard-vengeance-best-sequel-bruce-willis-action-franchise/ |title=Die Hard with a Vengeance: 10 Reasons It's the Best die Hard Sequel (By Far) |website=[[Screen Rant]] |date=July 11, 2020 |access-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119152103/https://screenrant.com/die-hard-vengeance-best-sequel-bruce-willis-action-franchise/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Johnny Hoffman from ''MovieWeb'' considered it a step up from the previous film and praised Willis and Jackson's chemistry and the action scenes.<ref name="auto"/>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Portal|Film|United States|1990s}}
{{wikiquote|Die Hard with a Vengeance}}
* {{IMDb title|0112864}}
* {{TCMDb title|73104}}
* {{AFI film|59875}}

{{Die Hard}}
{{John McTiernan}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Die Hard with a Vengeance}}
[[Category:1995 films]]
[[Category:1995 action thriller films]]
[[Category:1990s buddy cop films]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:1990s heist films]]
[[Category:20th Century Fox films]]
[[Category:American action thriller films]]
[[Category:American buddy cop films]]
[[Category:American films about revenge]]
[[Category:American heist films]]
[[Category:American sequel films]]
[[Category:Cinergi Pictures films]]
[[Category:Die Hard]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the New York City Police Department]]
[[Category:Films about the New York City Police Department]]
[[Category:Films about terrorism in the United States]]
[[Category:Films directed by John McTiernan]]
[[Category:Films scored by Michael Kamen]]
[[Category:Films set in New York City]]
[[Category:Films set in Quebec]]
[[Category:Films set on the New York City Subway]]
[[Category:Films shot in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Films shot in Maryland]]
[[Category:Films shot in New York City]]
[[Category:Films shot in South Carolina]]
[[Category:Films produced by John McTiernan]]
[[Category:1990s American films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Jonathan Hensleigh]]
[[Category:Buena Vista International films]]
[[Category:English-language crime films]]
[[Category:English-language action films]]
[[Category:English-language thriller films]]
[[Category:English-language buddy comedy films]]

Mission: Impossible III

2025-06-19T03:03:33Z

100.1.2.26: III is not relevant to Dead Reckoning

{{Short description|2006 film by J. J. Abrams}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Mission Impossible III.jpg
| alt = A portrait view of Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt equipped with tactical body armor, an earpiece, and a rifle. All color is desaturated, with the exception of red and blue.
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[J. J. Abrams]]
| writer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Alex Kurtzman]]
* [[Roberto Orci]]
* J. J. Abrams
}}
| based_on = {{Based on|''[[Mission: Impossible (1966 TV series)|Mission: Impossible]]''|[[Bruce Geller]]}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Tom Cruise]]
* [[Paula Wagner]]
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* Tom Cruise
* [[Philip Seymour Hoffman]]
* [[Ving Rhames]]
* [[Billy Crudup]]
* [[Michelle Monaghan]]
* [[Jonathan Rhys Meyers]]
* [[Keri Russell]]
* [[Maggie Q]]
* [[Laurence Fishburne]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Dan Mindel]]
| editing = {{Plainlist|
* [[Mary Jo Markey]]
* [[Maryann Brandon]]
}}
| music = [[Michael Giacchino]]{{efn|''Mission: Impossible'' Theme composed by [[Lalo Schifrin]]}}
| studio = {{Plainlist|
* [[Paramount Pictures]]<ref name="fone">{{cite web |title=Mission: Impossible III (2006) - Movie |url=https://www.moviefone.com/movie/mission-impossible-iii/14799/main/ |website=[[Moviefone]] |access-date=7 May 2025}}</ref>
* [[Cruise/Wagner Productions]]<ref name="fone"/>
}}
| distributor = Paramount Pictures
| released = {{Film date|2006|05|05}}
| runtime = 126 minutes<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/mission-impossible-iii-0 | title=''MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III'' (12A) | work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=April 18, 2006 | access-date=August 2, 2015 | archive-date=February 17, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217162141/https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/mission-impossible-iii-0 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $150–186 million<ref name="Snyder (2006)">{{Cite news|last=Snyder |first=Gabriel |title=Summer survey |date=March 12, 2006 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2006/legit/markets-festivals/summer-survey-1117939593/ |access-date=August 19, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |title=The Wild Development History of 'Mission: Impossible III' |date=May 5, 2021 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |url=https://collider.com/mission-impossible-3-alternate-versions/ |access-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-date=January 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124060225/https://collider.com/mission-impossible-3-alternate-versions/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| gross = $398.5 million<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |title = Mission: Impossible III (2006) |url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mi3.htm |publisher = [[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date = October 30, 2019 |archive-date = July 23, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190723151804/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mi3.htm |url-status = live }}</ref>
}}

'''''Mission: Impossible III''''' (abbreviated as '''''M:i:III''''') is a 2006 American [[Action film|action]] [[spy film]] directed by [[J. J. Abrams]] (in his feature film directorial debut), and produced by and starring [[Tom Cruise]], from a screenplay by Abrams and the writing team of [[Alex Kurtzman]] and [[Roberto Orci]]. It is the sequel to ''[[Mission: Impossible (film)|Mission: Impossible]]'' (1996) and ''[[Mission: Impossible 2]]'' (2000) and the third installment in the [[Mission: Impossible (film series)|''Mission: Impossible'' film series]]. It also stars [[Philip Seymour Hoffman]], [[Ving Rhames]], [[Michelle Monaghan]], [[Billy Crudup]], [[Jonathan Rhys Meyers]], [[Keri Russell]], [[Maggie Q]] and [[Laurence Fishburne]]. In ''Mission: Impossible III'', retired Impossible Mission Force (IMF) agent and trainer [[Ethan Hunt]] (Cruise) is forced to return to active duty to capture elusive arms dealer Owen Davian (Hoffman).

Development for a third ''Mission: Impossible'' film began in 2002, with [[David Fincher]] slated to direct; he and his eventual replacement [[Joe Carnahan]] both departed by 2004, both citing creative differences. Abrams was hired months later at the behest of Cruise, who was a fan of Abrams' ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'' (2001–2006), but this further delayed production on the film due to Abrams' contractual obligations for ''Alias'' and ''[[Lost (TV series)|Lost]]'' (2004–2010), and caused prospective cast additions [[Kenneth Branagh]], [[Carrie-Anne Moss]] and [[Scarlett Johansson]] to depart the film. Principal photography began in July 2005 and lasted until that October, with filming locations including [[Shanghai]], [[Berlin]], [[Rome]], [[Los Angeles]] and the [[Vatican City]].

''Mission: Impossible III'' premiered at the [[Tribeca Film Festival]] on April 26, 2006, and was released in the United States by [[Paramount Pictures]] on May 5, 2006. It received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its pace and stunts, and was considered an improvement over its predecessors. The film grossed over $398 million worldwide, becoming the [[2006 in film#Highest-grossing films|eighth-highest-grossing film of 2006]] but the lowest-grossing film in the franchise. The sequel, ''[[Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol|Ghost Protocol]]'', was released in 2011. The film's storylines are continued by future sequels ''[[Mission: Impossible - Fallout]]'' and ''[[Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning|The Final Reckoning]]''.

==Plot==

IMF agent [[Ethan Hunt]] is retired from fieldwork and has settled down with his fiancée, nurse Julia Meade, who is unaware of his job training recruits. IMF Director of Operations John Musgrave approaches him about a special mission to rescue one of his protégés, Lindsey Farris, who was captured while investigating arms dealer Owen Davian. Musgrave has already prepared a team for Ethan: Declan Gormley, Zhen Lei, and old partner [[Luther Stickell]]. The team rescues Lindsey in [[Berlin]] and collects two damaged laptops. As they flee, Ethan discovers an explosive pellet implanted in Lindsey's head, which kills her before he can disable it with a defibrillator.

Ethan later learns that Lindsey mailed him a postcard before her capture and discovers a magnetic [[microdot]] under the stamp. IMF technician Benji Dunn recovers enough data from the laptops to determine Davian will be in [[Vatican City]] to obtain and sell a mysterious item codenamed the "Rabbit's Foot", although it is not stated what it is. Ethan visits Julia at her work, which results in their spontaneous marriage. Ethan plans an unofficial mission to capture Davian. The team successfully infiltrates the Vatican and captures Davian. On the return flight to the US, Davian is unfazed by Ethan's interrogation and responds by promising to kill everyone for whom he cares.

After landing, Ethan learns that Lindsey's microdot is a warning about Davian and IMF director Theodore Brassel. The convoy taking them across the [[Chesapeake Bay Bridge]] is ambushed by mercenaries who extract Davian. Realizing Julia is in danger, Ethan races to Julia's hospital to discover she has already been kidnapped. Davian calls Ethan and gives him 48 hours to deliver the Rabbit's Foot in exchange for Julia's life. Before he can move, Ethan is apprehended by the IMF and questioned about the loss of Davian. While in the room as part of Ethan's interrogation, Musgrave discreetly mouths that the Rabbit's Foot is located in [[Shanghai]] and assists Ethan in escaping. Ethan travels to Shanghai and meets his team, which Musgrave sent there under the guise of another operation. Ethan obtains the Rabbit's Foot and delivers it to Davian, who tranquilizes him and implants a micro-explosive similar to the one that killed Lindsey in his head.

Waking up, Ethan sees Davian holding a gagged Julia at gunpoint. Despite Ethan asserting that he brought the real Rabbit's Foot, Davian seemingly shoots Julia and leaves. Musgrave arrives and reveals himself as the actual IMF traitor. Julia is still alive, and the dead woman is Davian's translator, who is used to confirm the authenticity of the Rabbit's Foot and then executed for her failure in protecting Davian. Musgrave was working with Davian to obtain the Rabbit's Foot so that the United States would have cause to launch a preemptive strike against the [[Middle East]] in order to "stop the terrorists overseas and spread democracy". Ethan knocks Musgrave unconscious, frees himself, and uses Musgrave's phone to obtain Julia's location.

With Benji's help, Ethan locates Julia but encounters Davian, who activates the explosive in Ethan's head. Ethan fights and violently kills Davian before freeing Julia. He jerry-rigs an impromptu defibrillator to deactivate the explosive, asking Julia to bring him back and teaching her how to shoot a gun. Julia kills a henchman, then Musgrave, who is carrying the Rabbit's Foot, before resuscitating Ethan. Ethan finally explains his IMF career to her. Back in the US, Brassel and others congratulate Ethan as he leaves for his honeymoon with Julia.

==Cast==

{{div col}}
* [[Tom Cruise]] as [[Ethan Hunt]]: An agent of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF).
* [[Ving Rhames]] as [[Luther Stickell]]: A computer hacker, IMF agent and Ethan's closest ally.
* [[Philip Seymour Hoffman]] as Owen Davian: An arms dealer looking for the Rabbit's Foot
* [[Michelle Monaghan]] as Julia Meade: Ethan's fiancée and a nurse.
* [[Maggie Q]] as Zhen Lei: An IMF Agent who assists Ethan at the Vatican and in Shanghai.
* [[Jonathan Rhys Meyers]] as Declan Gormley: An IMF Agent who assists Ethan at the Vatican and in Shanghai.
* [[Billy Crudup]] as John Musgrave: The IMF Director of Operations who recruits Ethan to find Farris.
* [[Keri Russell]] as Lindsey Farris: An IMF agent held captive at Berlin.
* [[Simon Pegg]] as Benjamin "Benji" Dunn: An IMF agent and technician.
* [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Theodore Brassel: The IMF Director, who recruits Ethan to find Davian
* [[Bahar Soomekh]] as Davian's translator and head of security.
* [[Jeff Chase]] as Davian's bodyguard
* [[Michael Berry Jr.]] as Julia's kidnapper
* [[Eddie Marsan]] as Brownway
* [[Bellamy Young]] as Rachael: Julia's six-month pregnant sister.
* [[Carla Gallo]] as Beth
* [[Greg Grunberg]] as Kevin
* [[Rose Rollins]] as Ellie
* [[Sasha Alexander]] as Melissa
* [[Aaron Paul]] as Rick Meade
* [[Bruce French (actor)|Bruce French]] as Minister
{{div col end}}

==Production==
===Development===
{{quote box|quote="I think the problem with third movies is the people who are financing them are experts on how they should be made and what they should be. At that point, when you own a franchise like that, you want to get rid of any extraneous opinions."|source=—David Fincher, on contributing to a film series<ref name="MTVN">{{cite web|last=Horowitz|first=Josh|title=David Fincher Discusses Reunion With Brad Pitt, Possible 'Fight Club' Musical|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1579041/david-fincher-wants-make-fight-club-musical.jhtml|website=[[MTV News]]|access-date=February 5, 2013|date=January 7, 2008|archive-date=May 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524152731/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1579041/david-fincher-wants-make-fight-club-musical.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>|width=35%}}
In 2002, director [[David Fincher]] was slated to direct the next installment of the ''[[Mission: Impossible (film series)|Mission: Impossible]]'' film series for a summer of 2004 release date.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fincher in frame for Mission: Impossible 3|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/apr/12/news.tomcruise|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=February 5, 2013|date=April 12, 2002|archive-date=March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330004244/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/apr/12/news.tomcruise|url-status=live}}</ref> Fincher dropped out in favor of ''[[Zodiac (film)|Zodiac]]'' (2007),<ref name="Scar">{{Cite news|title=Scarlett Aborts "Mission"|date=May 9, 2005|publisher=E! Online|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/49821/scarlett-aborts-mission|access-date=February 5, 2013|archive-date=June 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614114516/https://www.eonline.com/news/49821/scarlett-aborts-mission|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://collider.com/mission-impossible-3-production-history/ | title=The Wild Development History of 'Mission: Impossible III': From David Fincher's Version to Abrams | website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] | date=July 17, 2018 }}</ref> later citing creative differences over the direction of the series.<ref name="MTVN"/> [[Joe Carnahan]] was chosen to replace Fincher; Carnahan worked on developing the film for fifteen months.<ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Erik|title=Watch: Joe Carnahan on Hollywood A-Holes, Ugly Budgets and Filming Himself Quitting 'Mission: Impossible III'|url=http://www.movies.com/movie-news/watch-joe-carnahan-on-hollywood-a-holes-ugly-budgets-filming-himself-quitting-39mission-impossible-iii39/11155?wssac=164&wssaffid=news&_r=true|website=[[Movies.com]]|access-date=February 5, 2013|date=February 4, 2013|archive-date=March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330014346/http://www.movies.com/movie-news/watch-joe-carnahan-on-hollywood-a-holes-ugly-budgets-filming-himself-quitting-39mission-impossible-iii39/11155?wssac=164&wssaffid=news&_r=true|url-status=live}}</ref> Under his involvement, the film was to feature "[[Kenneth Branagh]] playing a guy who's based on [[Timothy McVeigh]]," as well as [[Carrie-Anne Moss]] and [[Scarlett Johansson]] in other roles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Joe Carnahan: "My 'Mission: Impossible' Was Better"|url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/Carnahan_My_Mission_Impossible_Was_Better/3677347|website=[[Hollywood.com]]|access-date=February 5, 2013|date=April 4, 2007|archive-date=June 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604085941/http://www.hollywood.com/news/Carnahan_My_Mission_Impossible_Was_Better/3677347|url-status=live}}</ref> Moss would have played a new character named Leah Quint.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmjerk.com/news/2003/09/05/%e2%80%9cmission-impossible-3%e2%80%9d-looking-for-girl/|title="Mission: Impossible 3" Looking for Girl|last=Havens|first=Edward|date=September 5, 2003|website=FilmJerk.com|language=en-US|access-date=July 3, 2019|archive-date=June 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614081257/https://www.filmjerk.com/news/2003/09/05/%E2%80%9Cmission-impossible-3%E2%80%9D-looking-for-girl/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After a creative dispute, Carnahan quit in July 2004.<ref name="Scar"/> [[Tom Cruise]] then called [[J. J. Abrams]], offering the directorial role for the film after having binge-watched the first two seasons of ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]''.<ref name="DVD">{{cite AV media |year=2006|title=The Making of the Mission|medium=DVD|publisher=[[Paramount Home Entertainment]]}}</ref> Abrams ultimately signed on and production was delayed a year due to his contractual obligations with ''Alias'' and ''[[Lost (TV series)|Lost]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Foreman|first=Liza|title=Cruise halts 'Mission 3' for Spielberg film|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5686726|publisher=[[NBC News]]|access-date=February 5, 2013|date=August 12, 2004|archive-date=August 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810114521/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5686726/site/todayshow/ns/today-entertainment/t/cruise-halts-mission-spielberg-film/#.URFeEuid6Hk|url-status=live}}</ref> During this time, Branagh, Moss and Johansson departed from the project because of the many delays in production.<ref name="Scar"/><ref name="War">{{cite magazine|last=Susman|first=Gary|title=War of the Wallets|url=https://ew.com/article/2005/06/08/cruise-takes-pay-cut-resuscitate-mi3/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=February 5, 2013|date=June 8, 2005|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819135443/https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20471622_1069951,00.html|archive-date=August 19, 2014}}</ref> [[Ricky Gervais]] was allegedly cast as Benjamin Dunn, but due to production delays, Gervais left the project due to scheduling conflicts with ''[[For Your Consideration (film)|For Your Consideration]]'' (2006).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2005/01/09/Office-star-gets-part-in-MI-3/85891105300790/|title='Office' star gets part in 'MI-3' |agency=[[United Press International|UPI]]|accessdate=March 10, 2023|archive-date=May 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506123429/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2005/01/09/Office-star-gets-part-in-MI-3/85891105300790/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vulture.com/2012/01/the-lost-roles-of-ricky-gervais.html | title=The Lost Roles of Ricky Gervais | date=January 19, 2012 | access-date=January 2, 2023 | archive-date=January 2, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102201752/https://www.vulture.com/2012/01/the-lost-roles-of-ricky-gervais.html | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Simon Pegg]], who ended up playing the character and [[audition]]ed for it when Carnahan was attached, has since debunked this and claims that Gervais was meant to play a different character in the movie.<ref>{{cite web|title=How Simon Pegg ended up in Mission: Impossible |date=July 13, 2023 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/6BQ2BjpaOYUOBlr2EG3siM |website=[[Spotify]]|access-date=August 20, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/25/simon-pegg-actor-on-comedy-action-heroes-tom-cruise-staying-at-home|title='I'm not that geeky guy any more': Simon Pegg on comedy, action heroes and staying at home |newspaper=[[The Observer]] |date=June 25, 2023 |last1=Lewis |first1=Tim }}</ref> [[Billy Bob Thornton]] was offered the role of Owen Davian, but he declined as he didn't want to be [[Typecasting|typecast]] as a villain. The role eventually went to [[Philip Seymour Hoffman]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Billy Bob Thornton Talks Turning Down Sam Raimi's 'Spider-Man' & 'Mission: Impossible III'|first=Charles |last=Barfield|date=December 18, 2024 |url=https://theplaylist.net/billy-bob-thornton-talks-turning-down-sam-raimis-spider-man-mission-impossible-iii-20241218/|website=[[The Playlist]]}}</ref> On June 8, 2005, [[Paramount Pictures]] gave the film the [[Greenlight|green light]] after a new cast of actors was hired and the film's budget was redeveloped, and Cruise took a major pay cut.<ref name="War"/>

J. J. Abrams offered [[Martin Landau]] the opportunity to reprise his role as Rollin Hand in a small [[cameo appearance]]. However, Landau turned it down, disliking the direction the franchise was going and wanting a larger role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wayland |first=Sara |date=October 8, 2009 |title=J.J. Abrams talks STAR TREK 2, FRINGE, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 4 and More! |url=https://collider.com/jj-abrams-talks-star-trek-star-trek-2-fringe-mission-impossible-4-and-more/ |access-date=January 7, 2024 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Eric |last=Ditzian |date=December 28, 2009 |title=Martin Landau Is 'Not Interested' In Appearing In A 'Mission: Impossible' Movie|website=[[MTV.com|MTV Movies Blog]] |url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/10/29/martin-landau-is-not-interested-in-appearing-in-a-mission-impossible-movie |access-date=January 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091228001842/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/10/29/martin-landau-is-not-interested-in-appearing-in-a-mission-impossible-movie |archive-date=December 28, 2009 }}</ref>
Thandie Newton declined returning for Mission Impossible 3 https://screenrant.com/mission-impossible-2-nyah-thandie-newton-what-happened/

===Filming===
[[Principal photography]] began in [[Rome]], [[Italy]] on July 12, 2005, and ended in October. Location filming took place in [[China]] ([[Shanghai]] and [[Xitang]]), [[Germany]] ([[Berlin]]), Italy (Rome and [[Caserta]]), the [[United States]] ([[California]], [[Virginia]] and [[Maryland]]) and [[Vatican City]]. The night scenes involving the skyscrapers were filmed in Shanghai, while some of the Shanghai filming was also done in Los Angeles.<ref name="DVD"/>

===Music===
{{Main|Mission: Impossible III (soundtrack){{!}}''Mission: Impossible III'' (soundtrack)}}
The film's [[Film score|musical score]] was composed by [[Michael Giacchino]], conducted by Tim Simonec and performed by the [[Hollywood Studio Symphony]]. He is the third composer to take on the series, following [[Danny Elfman]] and [[Hans Zimmer]]. The score album was released on May 9, 2006, by [[Varèse Sarabande Records]]. Unlike the previous installments, no soundtrack album featuring the film's contemporary music was released. Despite this, the film features a song by [[Kanye West]] entitled "[[Impossible (Kanye West song)|Impossible]]" that also features [[Twista]], [[Keyshia Cole]] and [[BJ the Chicago Kid|BJ]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kanye West's Mission Impossible|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/02/08/kanye-wests-mission-impossible|publisher=[[IGN]]|access-date=February 5, 2013|date=February 8, 2006|archive-date=August 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805020917/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/02/08/kanye-wests-mission-impossible|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Release==
===Marketing===
To promote the film, Paramount rigged 4,500 randomly selected ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' vending boxes with digital audio players which would play the theme song when the door was opened. The audio players did not always stay concealed. In many cases, they came loose and fell on top of the stack of newspapers in plain view, with the result that they were widely mistaken for bombs. Police bomb squads detonated a number of the vending boxes. They even temporarily shut down a veterans hospital in response to the apparent "threat." Despite these problems, Paramount and the ''Los Angeles Times'' opted to leave the audio players in the boxes until two days after the movie's opening.<ref>{{Cite news | date= May 5, 2006 | title= Mission Illogical: Movie Promotion Puts Lives 'at Risk' | url= http://www.readjunk.com/news/movie/mission-illogical-movie-promotion-puts-lives-at-risk/ | access-date= May 11, 2010 | archive-date= March 20, 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160320212720/http://www.readjunk.com/news/movie/mission-illogical-movie-promotion-puts-lives-at-risk/ | url-status= dead }}</ref>

=== Home media ===
''Mission: Impossible III'' was released on [[DVD-Video|DVD]], [[HD DVD]] and [[Blu-ray]] on October 30, 2006, the first film by a studio to be released simultaneously in all three formats.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=October 30, 2006|last=Garrett|first=Diane|url=https://variety.com/2006/digital/features/par-homevid-on-a-mission-1117952810/|title=Par homevid on 'Mission'|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref> A [[Ultra HD Blu-ray|4K UHD Blu-ray]] release occurred on June 26, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cranswick |first=Amie |title=Mission: Impossible series hitting 4K Ultra HD this June |url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2018/05/mission-impossible-series-hitting-4k-ultra-hd-this-june/ |website=Flickering Myth |access-date=June 14, 2018 |date=May 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/1539/Mission:-Impossible-III-(2006).html|title=Mission: Impossible III DVD Release Date October 30, 2006|website=DVDs Release Dates|language=en-US|access-date=May 3, 2018|archive-date=June 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614094429/https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/1539/Mission:-Impossible-III-(2006).html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==="Trapped in the Closet" controversy===
{{Main|Trapped in the Closet (South Park){{!}}Trapped in the Closet (''South Park'')}}
A blog entry of Hollywoodinterrupted.com in March 2006 alleged that [[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom]] (parent of Paramount and [[Comedy Central]]) canceled the rebroadcast of the ''[[South Park]]'' episode "[[Trapped in the Closet (South Park)|Trapped in the Closet]]" due to threats by Cruise to refuse to participate in the ''Mission: Impossible III'' publicity circle.<ref>{{Cite news | first = Mark | last = Ebner | title = Scientologist Tom Cruise Blackmails Viacom into Pulling the "Trapped in the Closet" Episode of South Park | website = Hollywood, Interrupted | date = March 16, 2006 | url = http://www.hollywoodinterrupted.com/archives/scientologist_tom_cruise_blackmails_viacom.phtml | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090305013632/http://www.hollywoodinterrupted.com/archives/scientologist_tom_cruise_blackmails_viacom.phtml | archive-date = March 5, 2009 | df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="eentertainment">{{Cite news|last= Ryan |first= Joel |title= "The Closet," the Controversy--and Cruise |website= [[E! Online]] |date= March 13, 2006 |url= http://www.eonline.com/news//article/index.jsp?uuid=9495664b-650c-4ae8-8a37-5dbf15296d80&entry=index |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071001033118/http://www.eonline.com/news//article/index.jsp?uuid=9495664b-650c-4ae8-8a37-5dbf15296d80&entry=index |url-status=dead |archive-date= October 1, 2007 |access-date= June 16, 2007}}</ref> These assertions were soon also reported by ''[[E! News]]'' and ''[[American Morning]]''.<ref name="eentertainment"/><ref>{{Cite news | first1 = Soledad | last1 = O'Brien | authorlink1=Soledad O'Brien |first2 = John | last2 = Roberts | title = Storms Blanket Midwest; Insurgents Launch Full-Scale Attack on Iraqi Police | work = [[American Morning]] | date = March 21, 2006 | url = https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/ltm/date/2006-03-21/segment/01 | access-date = October 21, 2007 | archive-date = June 14, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200614094218/http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0603/21/ltm.01.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

[[Fox News]] attributed threats from Cruise, stating, "to back out of his ''Mission: Impossible III'' promotional duties if Viacom didn't pull a repeat of the episode", as evidence of "bad blood" between Cruise and Viacom.<ref>{{Cite news | first = Roger | last = Friedman | title = Cruise Ambushed by 'Broke' Studio? | website = [[Fox News Channel]] | date = August 23, 2006 | url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,209943,00.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071113160928/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,209943,00.html | archive-date = November 13, 2007 | url-status=dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported that ''South Park'' fans "struck back", in March 2006, and threatened to boycott ''Mission: Impossible III'' until Comedy Central put "Trapped in the Closet" back on its schedule.<ref>{{Cite news | last = de Moraes | first = Lisa | title = 'South Park' Responds: Chef's Goose Is Cooked | newspaper = [[The Washington Post]] | page = C07 | date = March 23, 2006 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/22/AR2006032202256.html | access-date = December 3, 2017 | archive-date = June 14, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200614193013/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/22/AR2006032202256.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Melissa McNamara of [[CBS News]] later questioned whether this boycott hurt the film's box office debut.<ref>{{Cite news | last = McNamara | first = Melissa | title = Did Bloggers Doom 'M:i:III'? | website = [[CBS News]] | date = May 10, 2006 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/09/blogophile/main1600758.shtml | access-date = October 21, 2007 | archive-date = May 30, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130530073335/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/09/blogophile/main1600758.shtml | url-status = dead }}</ref> Political blogger [[Andrew Sullivan]] encouraged a boycott of the film, based on claims that Cruise allegedly forced Comedy Central to censor a ''South Park'' episode about [[Scientologists]]. "Make sure you don't go see Paramount's ''Mission: Impossible III'', Cruise's upcoming movie," Sullivan wrote. "I know you weren't going to see it anyway. But now any money you spend on this movie is a blow against [[freedom of speech]]. Boycott it. Tell your friends to boycott it."<ref>{{cite web |first=Andrew |last=Sullivan |authorlink=Andrew Sullivan |url=http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2006/03/cruise_control.html |title=Cruise Control |website=[[The Daily Beast]] |date=March 17, 2006 |access-date=February 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203193345/http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2006/03/cruise_control.html |archive-date=February 3, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

When asked in [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[Primetime (American TV program)|Primetime]]'' about his involvement with stopping the episode rebroadcast on Comedy Central, Cruise stated, "First of all, could you ever imagine sitting down with anyone? I would never sit down with someone and question them on their beliefs. Here's the thing: I'm really not even going to dignify this. I honestly didn't really even know about it. I'm working, making my movie, I've got my family. I'm busy. I don't spend my days going, 'What are people saying about me?'"<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/Cruise_No_Oprah_Regrets/3491532 |title=Cruise: 'No Oprah Regrets' |publisher=hollywood.com |date=April 16, 2006 |access-date=June 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120915190646/http://www.hollywood.com/news/Cruise_No_Oprah_Regrets/3491532 |archive-date=September 15, 2012}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Box office===
{{Anchor|Box office}}
Opening in 4,054 theaters all across the United States,<ref name="MissionImpossible">{{mojo title|id=mi3|title=Mission: Impossible III}} {{Retrieved|access-date=January 1, 2010}}</ref> the fourth-largest opening ever up to that point,<ref>{{cite web | title = Movies With the Widest Openings at the Box Office | publisher =[[Box Office Mojo]] | url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/widest.htm?page=WIDEST&sort=date&order=DESC&p=.htm | access-date = September 25, 2012 | archive-date = August 26, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120826231235/http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/widest.htm?page=WIDEST&sort=date&order=DESC&p=.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> the film topped the box office in its opening weekend. It made US$16.6 million on its opening day and $47.7 million in its opening weekend,<ref name="MissionImpossible"/> a solid opening yet almost $10 million lower than the franchise's previous films.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mission: Impossible Movies Opening Weekends|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?view=openings&id=missionimpossible.htm&p=.htm|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=February 4, 2013|archive-date=March 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321023601/http://boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?view=openings&id=missionimpossible.htm&p=.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The film remained at number one with $25 million during its second weekend, ahead of ''[[Poseidon (film)|Poseidon]]''{{'s}} gross of $22.2 million.<ref name="MissionImpossible"/> The film remained in the Top 10 at the box office for the remainder of its first six weeks.<ref name="MissionImpossible"/> It ended its initial domestic run on July 20, 2006, taking in a total of $134 million.<ref name="MissionImpossible"/> It was the second movie in 2006 to pass the $100 million mark in the box office, following ''[[Ice Age: The Meltdown]]''.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}} The film's domestic gross was significantly lower than that of ''Mission: Impossible 2'', and remains the lowest of the series as of 2022.<ref name="MissionImpossible"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317919/business|title=Business Data for Mission: Impossible III|publisher=Internet Movie Database|access-date=February 4, 2007|archive-date=February 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208231450/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317919/business|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film grossed $70 million outside the U.S. during its first five days (in some Asian countries, it opened two days before its North American release date). It was easily the box-office champion in many countries.<ref name="MissionImpossible"/> Its international box-office gross reached $264.4 million for a combined worldwide gross of $398.5 million, the lowest of the series as of 2022.<ref name="MissionImpossible"/>

In the Netherlands, the film debuted at {{abbr|No.|Number}} 1 in the week of May 4–10, grossing a total of [[Euro|€]]532,384. The following week, the film remained in the top position. In its third, the film dropped to No. 2 and fell to No. 4 to the following week. Next, it maintained the No. 4 position to drop to No. 6 (in the week of June 6–14). In total, the film has grossed over €2,141,162.

===Critical response===
{{Anchor|Critics}}
On review aggregation website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], ''Mission: Impossible III'' holds an approval rating of 73% based on 248 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Fast-paced, with eye-popping stunts and special effects, the latest ''Mission: Impossible'' installment delivers everything an action fan could ask for. A thrilling summer popcorn flick."<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mission_impossible_3 | title= Mission: Impossible III | publisher= [[Rotten Tomatoes]] | access-date= May 21, 2025 | archive-date= April 29, 2022 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220429164944/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mission_impossible_3 | url-status= live }}</ref> [[Metacritic]] gave the film a weighted average score of 66 out of 100 based on 42 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="meta">[https://www.metacritic.com/movie/mission-impossible-iii Mission: Impossible III] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420235525/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/mission-impossible-iii |date=April 20, 2016 }}, [[Metacritic]].</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film a grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale, an improvement on the first two installments.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/ |title= Home - Cinemascore |publisher= [[CinemaScore]] |access-date= July 11, 2020 |archive-date= January 2, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180102130540/https://www.cinemascore.com/ |url-status= live }}</ref>

On the television show ''[[At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper|Ebert & Roeper]]'', [[Richard Roeper]] gave ''Mission: Impossible III'' a "thumbs up," while [[Roger Ebert]] gave it a marginal "thumbs down."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvplex.go.com/buenavista/ebertandroeper/060508.html |title=Ebert & Roeper, Reviews for the Weekend of May 6–7, 2006 |access-date=February 4, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060701032703/http://tvplex.go.com/buenavista/ebertandroeper/060508.html |archive-date=July 1, 2006}}</ref> In Ebert's print review, he gave the film a score of two-and-a-half stars out of four, saying, "Either you want to see mindless action and computer-generated sequences executed with breakneck speed and technical precision, or you do not. I am getting to the point where I don't much care." He felt "surprised that the plot hangs together more than in the other two films."<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 4, 2006|first=Roger|last=Ebert|authorlink=Roger Ebert|title=Mission: Impossible III review|url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060504/REVIEWS/60419008|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|access-date=September 2, 2008|archive-date=December 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223202358/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060504/REVIEWS/60419008|url-status=live}}</ref>

Keith Phipps of ''[[The Onion]]''{{'s}} ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' said the film is "business as usual, but it's the best kind of business as usual, and it finds everyone working in top form."<ref>[https://www.avclub.com/content/node/48128 Mission: Impossible III review] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906160622/http://www.avclub.com/content/node/48128 |date=September 6, 2008 }}, Keith Phipps, ''[[The A.V. Club]]'', May 3, 2006</ref> [[Owen Gleiberman]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' called ''Mission: Impossible III'' "a gratifyingly clever, booby-trapped thriller that has enough fun and imagination and dash to more than justify its existence."<ref>[https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1190458,00.html Mission: Impossible III review] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929193945/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C1190458%2C00.html |date=September 29, 2012 }}, [[Owen Gleiberman]], ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''.</ref> Marc Savlov of ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]'' said that "it's all poppycock, of course, but it's done with such vim and vigor and both narrative and visual flair that you care not a jot."<ref>[http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Calendar/Film?Film=oid%3A363004 Mission: Impossible III review] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005034432/http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Calendar/Film?Film=oid%3A363004 |date=October 5, 2009 }}, Marc Savlov, ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]''.</ref> [[James Berardinelli]] of ReelViews gave the film a score of two-and-a-half stars out of four, saying that it "provides lots of action, but too little excitement."<ref>[http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/m/mission3.html Mission: Impossible III review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224134237/https://preview.reelviews.net/movies/m/mission3.html |date=February 24, 2021 }}, [[James Berardinelli]], ReelViews.</ref>

Ian Nathan of ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' said that ''Mission: Impossible III'' has "an inspired middle-hour pumped by some solid action" but added that "we now live in a post-[[The Bourne Identity (2002 film)|Bourne]], recalibrated-[[James Bond|Bond]] universe, where Ethan Hunt looks a bit lost."<ref>[https://www.empireonline.com/incinemas/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=9847 Mission: Impossible III review]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Ian Nathan, ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]''.</ref> [[Manohla Dargis]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' said that "Hoffman enlivens ''Mission: Impossible III''" but criticized the film's "maudlin romance" and "Abrams's inability to adapt his small-screen talent to a larger canvas."<ref>[https://archive.today/20130419181629/http://movies2.nytimes.com/2006/05/05/movies/05impo.html Mission: Impossible III review], Manohla Dargis, ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> Rob Nelson of the ''[[Dallas Observer]]'' said that "Abrams's movie is too oppressive, too enamored of its brutality to deliver anything like real thrills; its deeply unpleasant tone nearly makes you long even for [''Mission: Impossible 2'' director John] Woo's cartoon absurdities."<ref>[http://www.dallasobserver.com/Issues/2006-05-04/film/film4.html Mission: Impossible III review] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203134233/http://www.dallasobserver.com/Issues/2006-05-04/film/film4.html |date=February 3, 2007 }}, Rob Nelson, ''[[Dallas Observer]]''.</ref>

Claudia Puig of ''[[USA Today]]'' said that "''Mission: Impossible III'' delivers" despite "a sense that the franchise is played out and its star over-exposed."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060617184244/http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2006-05-03-mi3_x.htm Mission: Impossible III review], Claudia Puig, ''[[USA Today]]''.</ref> [[Maitland McDonagh]] of ''[[TV Guide]]'' described the film as "breezy, undemanding, and a carefully balanced blend of the familiar and the not-quite-what-you-expected."<ref>[https://archive.today/20120712172548/http://online.tvguide.com/newsearch/detail.aspx?id=46815&sourcetype=m&progseriesparentid=0&tvobjectid=0&keyword=&more=ucmoviereview Mission: Impossible III review], Maitland McDonagh, ''[[TV Guide]]''</ref> Lawrence Toppman of ''[[The Charlotte Observer]]'' said that ''Mission: Impossible III'' is "plenty of fun" despite being "overwrought and overplotted."<ref>[http://ae.charlotte.com/entertainment/ui/charlotte/movie.html?id=577348&reviewId=20722&startDate=NEXT7 Mission: Impossible III review]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Lawrence Toppman, ''[[The Charlotte Observer]]''.</ref>

Pete Vonder Haar of ''[[Film Threat]]'' said that "you may be mildly entertained, but damned if you'll remember any of it five minutes later."<ref>[https://www.filmthreat.com/index.php?section=reviews&Id=8966 Mission: Impossible III review] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113160154/http://www.filmthreat.com/index.php?section=reviews&Id=8966 |date=January 13, 2009 }}, Pete Vonder Haar, Film Threat</ref> Stephanie Zacharek of [[Salon.com]] said that "Cruise is the single bright, blinking emblem of the failure of ''Mission: Impossible III''."<ref>[http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2006/05/04/m_i3/index.html Mission: Impossible III review] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091205071802/http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2006/05/04/m_i3/index.html |date=December 5, 2009 }}, Stephanie Zacharek, Salon</ref> William Arnold of the ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'' remarked that "the latest [''Mission: Impossible'' film] is just this side of insultingly stupid."<ref>[https://archive.today/20120911182845/http://www.seattlepi.com/movies/268894_mission04q.html Mission: Impossible III review], William Arnold, ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]''.</ref> Shawn Levy of ''[[The Oregonian]]'' said that ''Mission: Impossible III'' "feels like one of the more forgettable James Bond films—saddled, moreover, with a star who's sliding into self-parody."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070111172427/http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/oregonian/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fentertainment%2F11466915083900.xml&coll=7 Mission: Impossible III review], Shawn Levy, ''[[The Oregonian]]''.</ref>

==Sequel==
{{main|Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol{{!}}''Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol''}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{mojo title}}
* {{IMDb title}}

{{Navboxes
|title = ''Mission: Impossible III''
|list =
{{MissionImpossible}}
{{J. J. Abrams}}
{{Alex Kurtzman}}
{{Tom Cruise}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|2000s|Film|United States}}

[[Category:Mission: Impossible (film series)]]
[[Category:2006 films]]
[[Category:2006 action thriller films]]
[[Category:2006 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:2000s spy action films]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:English-language action adventure films]]
[[Category:English-language action thriller films]]
[[Category:American spy action films]]
[[Category:American action adventure films]]
[[Category:American action thriller films]]
[[Category:American sequel films]]
[[Category:Films based on television series]]
[[Category:Films about bioterrorism]]
[[Category:Films about drones]]
[[Category:Films set in Berlin]]
[[Category:Films set in Rome]]
[[Category:Films set in Shanghai]]
[[Category:Films set in Vatican City]]
[[Category:Films set on airplanes]]
[[Category:Films shot in California]]
[[Category:Films shot in China]]
[[Category:Films shot in Shanghai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Maryland]]
[[Category:Films shot in Germany]]
[[Category:Films shot in Berlin]]
[[Category:Films shot in Rome]]
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films shot in Virginia]]
[[Category:Films shot in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Films directed by J. J. Abrams]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by J. J. Abrams]]
[[Category:Films scored by Michael Giacchino]]
[[Category:Paramount Pictures films]]
[[Category:Films produced by Tom Cruise]]
[[Category:Cruise/Wagner Productions films]]

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers

2025-05-20T04:17:24Z

100.1.2.26: It's not ignoring the events if Halloween III was already in a different continuity Undid revision 1290335077 by Harryhenry1 (talk)

{{Short description|1988 film by Dwight H. Little}}
{{Redirect2|Halloween 4|Halloween IV||Halloween 4 (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
| image = Halloween4poster.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Dwight H. Little]]
| producer = Paul Freeman <ref name=afi>{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/members//catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=58745|title=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers|work=[[American Film Institute]]|access-date=October 9, 2018}}</ref>
| screenplay = [[Alan B. McElroy]]
| story = {{Plainlist|
* Dhani Lipsius
* Larry Rattner
* Benjamin Ruffner
* Alan B. McElroy
}}
| based_on = {{based on|[[List of Halloween (franchise) characters|Characters]]|[[John Carpenter]]|[[Debra Hill]]}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Donald Pleasence]]
* [[Ellie Cornell]]
* [[Danielle Harris]]
* [[Michael Pataki]]
}}
| music = [[Alan Howarth (composer)|Alan Howarth]]
| cinematography = [[Peter Lyons Collister]]
| editing = Curtiss Clayton
| studio = [[Compass International Pictures|Trancas International]]{{sfn|Stine|2003|p=137}}
| released = {{Film date|1988|10|21}}
| runtime = 88 minutes<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/halloween-4-return-michael-myers-film | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211131312/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/halloween-4-return-michael-myers-film | url-status=dead | archive-date=February 11, 2017 | title=''Halloween 4 - The Return of Michael Myers'' (18) | work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=October 23, 1988 | access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref>
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $5 million
| gross = $17.8 million (US)
| distributor = Galaxy International, FOX Releasing<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/77239/halloween-4-the-return-of-michael-myers|title=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)|website=Turner Classic Movies|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020010415/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/77239/Halloween-4-The-Return-of-Michael-Myers/|archive-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref>
}}

'''''Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers''''' is a 1988 American [[slasher film]] directed by [[Dwight H. Little]], written by [[Alan B. McElroy]], and starring [[Donald Pleasence]], [[Ellie Cornell]], [[Danielle Harris]] in her film debut, and [[Michael Pataki]]. It is the fourth entry in the [[Halloween (franchise)|''Halloween'' franchise]] and a [[direct sequel]] to [[Halloween II (1981 film)|''Halloween II'']] (1981), and marks the return of [[Michael Myers (Halloween)|Michael Myers]] as the primary antagonist following his absence in ''[[Halloween III: Season of the Witch]]'' (1982).

Initially, [[John Carpenter]] and co-producer [[Debra Hill]] intended to create an [[anthology]] series, with only the first two films being connected. ''Halloween 4'' was originally intended to be a ghost story, but after the poor reception of ''Halloween III,'' the idea was abandoned.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

''Halloween 4'' released in the [[United States]] on October 21, 1988. Despite mostly negative reviews from critics, the film grossed $17.8 million domestically on a budget of $5 million. It has developed a strong [[cult following]] since its release and has enjoyed positive reappraisals in the years since its release.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}

The film begins the "Thorn Trilogy" story arc which would be continued in ''[[Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers]]'' (1989) and ''[[Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers]]'' (1995).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-09-24|title=Every Halloween Movie Ranked, According to Critics|url=https://www.cbr.com/every-halloween-movie-ranked-critics/2/|access-date=2020-12-28|website=CBR|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Lea|first=Robert|date=2018-10-28|title=Halloween: A franchise that won't die but will forget|url=https://medium.com/@roblea_63049/halloween-a-franchise-that-wont-die-but-will-forget-db6e1fc38b2f|access-date=2020-12-28|website=Medium|language=en}}</ref>

In 1998, the franchise did a soft reboot with the release of ''[[Halloween H20: 20 Years Later]]'', which serves as a direct sequel to ''[[Halloween (1978 film)|Halloween]]'' (1978) and ''[[Halloween II (1981 film)|Halloween II]]'' (1981) and thereby ignores the events, themes and new characters introduced in the ''Thorn Trilogy'' story arc.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pinney |first1=Dustin |title=Halloween: Why H20 is Still the Best Reboot of the Franchise |url=https://movieweb.com/halloween-h20-best-reboot-franchise-why/ |website=MovieWeb |date=10 August 2022 |access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref>

==Plot==
On October 30, 1988, Michael Myers, who has been comatose for ten years [[Halloween II (1981 film)|since the explosion at Haddonfield Memorial Hospital]], is being transferred from Ridgemont Federal Sanitarium to Smith's Grove Sanitarium. During the transfer, when Michael overhears that he has a niece living in Haddonfield, he awakens, kills the ambulance personnel and heads back to his hometown to kill her. [[Samuel Loomis|Dr. Loomis]], who also survived the explosion, learns of Michael's escape and gives chase once again.

Loomis follows Michael to a gas station and diner, where Michael has killed a mechanic for his coveralls, along with a female clerk. Michael escapes in a tow truck, igniting the gas pumps causing an explosion, destroying Loomis's car given by Ridgemont in the process and disabling the phone lines. Loomis continues to pursue Michael on foot. Loomis then hitches a ride with a priest in a pick-up truck.

In Haddonfield, Laurie's daughter [[Jamie Lloyd]] suffers from nightmares about The Shape and is bullied at school for being the niece of "the boogeyman." On Halloween night, her foster parents Richard and Darlene go to a party and leave their teenage daughter [[Rachel Carruthers|Rachel]] to babysit, forcing her to cancel a date with her boyfriend Brady. Rachel picks Jamie up after school to buy ice cream and a Halloween costume. Jamie decides on a clown costume when Michael suddenly appears to steal a new mask. He goes after his niece but flees when she screams in horror.

That night, as Rachel and Jamie are [[trick-or-treating]], Michael breaks into the Carruthers' house and kills the family dog. Loomis arrives in Haddonfield and warns the new sheriff, Ben Meeker, that Michael has returned. They immediately go out to search for the girls. At the power station Michael throws an electrician into a transformer, plunging the entire town into darkness. He proceeds to kill most of the town's police force, prompting the locals to form a lynch mob.

Meeker and Loomis find Rachel and Jamie and take them to the sheriff's house, where Brady is having an affair with Meeker's daughter Kelly. They barricade the premises as Loomis departs to find Michael, who has already snuck into the house. The lynch mob accidentally killed a teenager who they thought was Michael. After Meeker leaves to respond to the shooting, Michael kills Brady, Kelly, and a deputy as Rachel and Jamie flee to the attic and onto the roof. Rachel lowers Jamie down to safety but is attacked by Michael, falling to the ground and losing consciousness.

Pursued by Michael, Jamie runs down the street and runs into Loomis. They seek shelter at the school, but Michael finds them and tosses Loomis through a glass door. He chases Jamie through the school, until she falls down a flight of stairs, Michael prepares to kill her when Rachel reappears and subdues him with a fire extinguisher. The lynch mob arrives and agrees to help the girls get out of Haddonfield. Along the way they meet a lone trooper who tells them there's a substation up the road where they'll be safe. Michael, who has been hidden underneath their truck, climbs aboard and kills the men, including Earl. Rachel takes the wheel, throws Michael off the truck, and rams into him. Meeker and Loomis arrive with the rest of lynch mob and the state police, while Jamie approaches her uncle and touches his hand. As he rises, Meeker and the others shoot him until he falls down an abandoned mine.

Back at the Carruthers' house, Darlene goes upstairs to run a bath for Jamie when she is suddenly attacked. Loomis hears her cries and sees Jamie in her clown costume holding a pair of bloody scissors, reminiscent of when Michael [[Halloween (1978 film)|killed his older sister]]. Rachel, Richard, and Meeker look on in horror as Loomis sobs, realizing that the evil inside of Michael has infected Jamie.

==Cast==
{{Main|List of Halloween (franchise) characters|l1=''List of'' Halloween ''characters''}}
{{Cast list|
* [[Donald Pleasence]] as [[Samuel Loomis|Dr. Sam Loomis]]
* [[Ellie Cornell]] as [[Rachel Carruthers]]
* [[Danielle Harris]] as [[Jamie Lloyd]]
* [[Tom Morga]] and [[George P. Wilbur]] as [[Michael Myers (Halloween)|Michael Myers]]
* [[Michael Pataki]] as Dr. Hoffman
* [[Beau Starr]] as Sheriff Ben Meeker
* [[Kathleen Kinmont]] as Kelly Meeker
* [[Sasha Jenson]] as Brady
* Leslie L. Rohland as [[Lindsey Wallace|Lindsey]]
* Gene Ross as Earl Ford
* [[Carmen Filpi]] as Reverend Jackson P. Sayer
* [[Raymond O'Connor (actor)|Raymond O'Connor]] as Security Guard
* Jeff Olson as Richard Carruthers
* Karen Alston as Darlene Carruthers
* [[Nancy Borgenicht]] as Woman Attendant
* David Jansen as Man Attendant
* George Sullivan as Deputy Logan
* Michael Ruud as Alan "Big Al" Gateway
* Eric Hart as Orrin Gateway
* Logan Field as Unger (as Walt Logan Field)
* [[Alan B. McElroy]] as State Trooper At Ambulance Crash Site (uncredited)
* Danny Ray as [[List of Halloween (franchise) characters|Tommy Doyle]]
}}

==Production==

===Development===
{{quote box|width=25%|align=right|bgcolor=cornsilk|quote=Halloween was banned in Haddonfield and I think that the basic idea was that if you tried to suppress something, it would only rear its head more strongly. By the very [attempt] of trying to erase the memory of Michael Myers, [the teenagers] were going to ironically bring him back into existence.|source=—Dennis Etchison on his idea for ''Halloween 4''<ref name="Halloween: 25 Years of Terror DVD">{{cite video|title=Halloween: 25 Years of Terror DVD|date=2006|medium=DVD|location=United States|publisher=Trancas International Pictures|people=Dennis Etchison}}</ref>}}

After ''[[Halloween III: Season of the Witch]]'', executive producer [[Moustapha Akkad]] wanted to move further with the series, and bring back Michael Myers. Producer Paul Freeman, a friend of Akkad with a long list of credits to his name, explained to ''[[Fangoria]]'' magazine in 1988 that everybody came out of ''Halloween III'' saying, "Where's Michael?"<ref name="bts" /> John Carpenter was approached by [[Cannon Films]], who had just finished 1986's release of ''[[The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2]]'', to write and direct ''Halloween 4''. Debra Hill planned to produce the film, while Carpenter teamed up with [[Dennis Etchison]] who, under the pseudonym Jack Martin, had written [[novelization]]s of both ''[[Halloween II (1981 film)|Halloween II]]'' (1981) and ''Halloween III: Season of the Witch'' (1982) to write a script to ''Halloween 4''. Originally, [[Joe Dante]] was Carpenter's choice in mind of director for the project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blumhouse.com/2017/01/06/exclusive-interview-dennis-etchison-on-his-unmade-halloween-4-the-ghosts-of-the-lost-river-drive-in/|title=Exclusive Interview: Dennis Etchison On His Unmade HALLOWEEN 4 & The Ghosts Of The Lost River Drive-In|last=Assip|first=Mike|date=2017-01-06|website=Blumhouse.com|access-date=2017-04-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108183635/http://www.blumhouse.com/2017/01/06/exclusive-interview-dennis-etchison-on-his-unmade-halloween-4-the-ghosts-of-the-lost-river-drive-in/|archive-date=January 8, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

However, Akkad rejected the Etchison script, calling it "too cerebral" and insisting that any new ''Halloween'' sequel must feature Myers as a flesh and blood killer.<ref>An [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]] special "Backdraft", a show about the behind the scenes info on the whole [[Halloween (franchise)|''Halloween'' series]] clarified all of this information.</ref> In an interview, Etchison explained how he received the phone call informing him of the rejection of his script. Etchison said, "I received a call from Debra Hill and she said, 'Dennis, I just wanted you to know that John and I have sold our interest in the title 'Halloween' and unfortunately, your script was not part of the deal."<ref name="Halloween: 25 Years of Terror DVD" />

Carpenter and Hill had signed all of their rights away to Akkad, who gained ownership. Akkad said, "I just went back to the basics of ''Halloween'' on ''Halloween 4'' and it was the most
successful."<ref>{{cite video |title=Halloween: 25 Years of Terror DVD |date=2006 |medium=DVD |location=United States |publisher=Trancas International Pictures |people=Moustapha Akkad}}</ref> As Carpenter refused to continue his involvement with the series, a new director was sought out. [[Dwight H. Little]], a native of Ohio, replaced Carpenter. Little had previously directed episodes for ''[[Freddy's Nightmares]]'' and the film ''[[Getting Even (1986 film)|Getting Even]]''.

===Screenplay===
On February 25, 1988, writer [[Alan B. McElroy]], a native of [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], was brought in to write the script for ''Halloween 4''.<ref name="H4info">{{cite web|year = 2001|url = http://www.halloweenmovies.com/filmarchive/h3bts.htm|title = Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, Behind the Scenes|work = HalloweenMovies.com|publisher = Trancas International Films|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://archive.today/20120906130444/http://www.halloweenmovies.com/filmarchive/h3bts.htm|archive-date = September 6, 2012|df = mdy-all}}</ref> The [[1988 Writers Guild of America strike|writer's strike]] was to begin on March 7 that year. This forced McElroy to develop a concept, pitch the story, and send in the final draft in under eleven days.{{sfn|Little|2013|loc=event occurs at 3:49}}<ref name=":1">{{cite web| url = https://archive.org/details/starlog_magazine-242/page/n29| title = Starlog Magazine Issue 242 : The Starlog Group : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive| date = September 1997}}</ref> McElroy came up with the idea of Brittany "Britti" Lloyd, Laurie Strode's daughter, to be chased by her uncle, who has escaped from Ridgemont after being in a coma for ten years. Dr. Samuel Loomis goes looking for Michael with Sheriff Meeker. The setting of the place was once again Haddonfield, Illinois. The character of Laurie Strode was revealed to have died, leaving Britti with the Carruthers family, which included Rachel, the family's seventeen-year-old daughter. Britti's name was later changed to Jamie, a homage to Laurie Strode actress [[Jamie Lee Curtis]].

McElroy told ''[[Fangoria]]'':
{{blockquote|When I first saw the original, I was dating a girl and took her to a theater in Boston to see it. We were the only ones in the place, but she was climbing all over me. When ''Halloween II'' came out, I got completely blitzed and saw it, and I had the best time. So when the director, Dwight Little, asked me to write the script, I jumped at the chance. Here I was going to bring the Shape — Michael Myers — back to life. It's a piece of film history. He's truly an icon.<ref name="H4info" />}}

In the original draft, Sheriff Ben Meeker was to be killed during the Shape's attack on the Meeker house. A fire would have started in the basement and burnt down the entire house. The scene on top of the roof with the Shape, Rachel, and Jamie was supposed to be engulfed in flames. This idea was scrapped due to budget issues.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} Instead, a more "soap opera" feel was incorporated, which included a love triangle subplot between Rachel, Brady, and Kelly Meeker, the sheriff's daughter.

Director Dwight H. Little stated in 2006 that his interpretation of McElroy's screenplay had the Michael Myers character played as a literal escaped mental patient, not a supernatural figure.{{sfn|Little|2013|loc=event occurs at 11:58, 12:19}} Little approached the screenplay as though Myers was pursuing Jamie as a means of "connecting with her", but that he had no social capacity to interact with her, and thus resorted to violence.{{sfn|Little|2013|loc=event occurs at 12:50}} The screenplay references the events of ''[[Halloween II (1981 film)|Halloween II]]'' (1981), in which a fire breaks out in Haddonfield Hospital, by having both Myers and Loomis display burn scars on their respective hands and faces.{{sfn|Little|2013|loc=event occurs at 14:45}}

===Casting===
The cast of ''Halloween 4'' included only one actor from the first two films, [[Donald Pleasence]], who reprised his role as Samuel Loomis, Michael Myers' [[psychiatrist]].{{sfn|Little|2013|loc=event occurs at 15:40}} According to Little, Pleasence was "committed conceptually" to the role, but did not sign on to the project until having read a finished screenplay.{{sfn|Little|2013|loc=event occurs at 15:44}} Before McElroy's script was chosen, the producers asked [[Jamie Lee Curtis]], another original cast member, to reprise her role as Laurie Strode, the original's heroine. Curtis had become a success in the film industry and had established a career with her roles in films like ''[[Trading Places]]'' (1983) and ''[[A Fish Called Wanda]]'' (1988). Curtis declined and did not want to continue her participation in the film, although she did return for the [[Halloween H20: 20 Years Later|seventh ''Halloween'' film]]. As a result, her character was written out and died, which is briefly explained in the film.

The script introduced Laurie Strode's seven-year-old daughter, Jamie Lloyd. [[Melissa Joan Hart]] had auditioned for the role, among various other girls.<ref name="BD">{{Cite web |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3461076/10-fun-facts-may-not-know-halloween-4/ |title=10 Fun Facts You May Not Know About 'Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers' |last=Pauley |first=Patti |date=October 21, 2017 |website=[[Bloody Disgusting]] |access-date=October 22, 2017}}</ref> Danielle Harris, who previously had a reoccurring role on the [[ABC News (United States)|ABC]] daytime [[soap opera]], ''[[One Life to Live]]'' (as Samantha Garretson) was ultimately cast in the role after auditioning in New York.{{sfn|Little|2013|loc=event occurs at 7:25}} [[Rebecca Schaeffer]] had auditioned for the role of Rachel Carruthers, but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/56542/halloween-4/ |title=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (Blu-ray) |last=Tyner |first=Adam |date=August 12, 2012 |website=[[DVD Talk]] |access-date=October 22, 2017}}</ref> Twenty-three-year-old [[Ellie Cornell]] had also auditioned.{{sfn|Little|2013|loc=event occurs at 7:40}} Cornell had chosen to audition for ''Halloween 4'' and ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master]]'' (1988) as the role of Kristen Parker.<ref name="BD" /> Cornell chose ''Halloween 4'' and successfully landed the role of Rachel. [[Beau Starr]] was cast as the new Sheriff, Ben Meeker, replacing Sheriff Lee Brackett ([[Charles Cyphers]]), and [[Kathleen Kinmont]] was cast as the Sheriff's daughter, Kelly. [[George P. Wilbur]] was cast to play Michael Myers.{{sfn|Little|2013|loc=event occurs at 10:20}}

===Filming===
[[Principal photography]] began on April 11, 1988. Instead of filming in [[Pasadena, California]] (the original filming location and stand in for Haddonfield) due to high-rising costs, filming took place in and around [[Salt Lake City, Utah]].{{sfn|Little|2013|loc=event occurs at 9:13}} As filming was taking place in March,<ref name="H4info" /> during springtime, the producers were forced to import leaves and big squash, which they would use to create pumpkins by painting them orange.{{sfn|Little|2013|loc=event occurs at 12:00}} "One of the obvious challenges in making a part four of anything is to interest a contemporary audience in old characters and themes," said director [[Dwight H. Little]]. "What I'm trying to do is capture the mood of the original ''Halloween'' and yet take a lot of new chances. What we're attempting to do is walk a fine line between horror and mystery. ''Halloween 4'' will not be an ax-in-the-forehead kind of movie." Paul Freeman agreed. "This film does contain some humorous moments, but it's not of the spoof or send-up variety. It's humor that rises out of the film's situations and quickly turns back into terror."<ref name="bts">{{cite web|url=http://www.halloweenmovies.com/filmarchive/h4bts.htm|title="Behind the Scenes" of ''Halloween 4''|publisher=Trancas International Films Inc.|work=HalloweenMovies.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125161124/http://www.halloweenmovies.com/filmarchive/h4bts.htm|archive-date=January 25, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

[[George P. Wilbur]], who was cast as Michael Myers, wore hockey pads under the costume to make himself look more physically imposing, and he was often filmed in mirror reflections or off-center so that the audience could witness him "in pieces" rather than have an encompassing view.{{sfn|Little|2013|loc=event occurs at 10:22}} During filming, the cast and crew made it a point to take it easy on Danielle Harris, as she was only a young child at the time, and made sure that she was not scared too badly and knew that none of it was real; to this end, Wilbur regularly removed the mask in front of her in order to remind her that it was just a movie and he was not going to hurt her.<ref>''Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers'' DVD: Halloween 4: Final Cut</ref>

The late night scenes caused issues with the cast. Garlan Wilde, a gaffer for the film, was injured during the scene between Brady and the Shape when he dropped a light and accidentally slit his wrists. He was rushed to the hospital. In addition, while filming the rooftop scene, Ellie Cornell cut her stomach open on a large nail while sliding down the roof, though she continued filming the scene despite losing a sizable amount of blood. During most of the night scenes, Donald Pleasence became so cold that he wore a hat for most of the scenes, unbeknownst to the crew. This caused over six hours of footage to be re-shot. The shoot lasted about 41 days and Ellie Cornell and Danielle Harris were required to be on set for 36 of those days.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}

During filming, the customized 1975 [[James T. Kirk|Captain Kirk]] mask was unavailable and a new one was purchased from a local costume shop. The producers wanted to test what it would look like without the edits. The school scene was filmed and when reviewing the producers did not like how the mask turned out. It was allegedly customized again but did not live up to the original, and the producers felt it was too old and went for a new mask. Some scenes had to be re-shot with the new mask.<ref>{{cite video |title=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers DVD Commentary |date=2006 |medium=DVD |publisher=[[Anchor Bay Entertainment]] |location=United States |people=Alan B. McElroy}}</ref> The only scene left in is when Loomis is thrown through a glass door; as Michael comes up behind him, the unaltered face and blonde hair is visible. Director Dwight H. Little thought the use of the blond mask stemmed from a tired crew member grabbing an incorrect mask from the prop area. Though nobody on set caught the error, it was acknowledged in the later stages of production. Little confirmed the mistake was left in the film and would have been fixed if his team had more time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedash |first=Kara |date=2021-03-25 |title=Halloween 4's Blond Michael Myers Mask Mistake Explained (& Why It Was Left In) |url=https://screenrant.com/halloween-4-movie-blond-mask-mistake-michael-myers/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=[[ScreenRant]]}}</ref>

After viewing the film's [[rough cut]], director Dwight H. Little and producer [[Moustapha Akkad]] decided that the film's violence was too soft, and so an extra day of "blood filming" commenced. [[Special effect]]s [[make-up artist]] [[John Carl Buechler]] (director of ''[[Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood]]'') was brought in to create the thumb in the forehead kill and neck-twisting of the [[redneck]] seen in the film's final cut.

===Music===
{{main|Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (soundtrack)}}
The score was performed by Alan Howarth, who had assisted John Carpenter on ''Halloween II'' and ''Halloween III''. Howarth gained approval from Dwight H. Little before he could accept the offer, creating a new score that referenced the original's but with a [[synthesizer]] twist. Howarth also included new tracks such as "Jamie's Nightmare", "Return of the Shape", and "Police Station". The soundtrack was released to Compact Disc, LP Vinyl Record, and Cassette Tape on September 28, 1988.

==Release==
''Halloween 4'' opened in 1,679 theaters on October 21, 1988 and grossed $6,831,250 in its opening weekend, ranking number one at the box office. It held the top spot in its second weekend. The total domestic gross was $17,768,757 in the [[Cinema of the United States|United States]] with approximately 4,323,299 tickets sold during its initial theatrical run.<ref name="boxofficemojo">{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=halloween4.htm|title=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=October 11, 2018}}</ref>

===Reception===
The film garnered a negative critical reception upon release. {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|39|4.2|31|''Halloween 4: The Return Of Michael Myers'' may bring the series' masked killer back into the fold, but fails to offer the visceral scares and inventiveness of the original.|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/halloween_4_the_return_of_michael_myers|title=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=November 17, 2022}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]] it has a score of 34 out of 100 based on reviews from 10 critics, which indicates "generally unfavorable" reviews.<ref>{{cite web|title=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers|url=https://metacritic.com/movie/halloween-4-the-return-of-michael-myers|work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=October 20, 2018}}</ref>

Caryn James of ''[[The New York Times]]'' criticized the film for abandoning the original film's strengths saying "suspense and psychological horror have given way to superhuman strength and resilience."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=940DE0D7173FF931A15753C1A96E948260 |title=Review/Film; A Slasher Goes Back To Work |last=James |first=Caryn |date=October 22, 1988 |website=[[The New York Times]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410140021/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=940DE0D7173FF931A15753C1A96E948260|archive-date=April 10, 2016}} {{closed access}}</ref> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' found the film to be "a no-frills, workmanlike picture."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/1987/film/reviews/halloween-4-the-return-of-michael-myers-1200427573/ |title=Halloween 4 – The Return of Michael Myers |date=December 31, 1987|author=''Variety'' Staff|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192437/https://variety.com/1987/film/reviews/halloween-4-the-return-of-michael-myers-1200427573/|archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> Richard Harrington of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' declared the film "very much the cheap knockoff of its prototype, but not half as visceral."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/halloween4thereturnofmichaelmyersrharrington_a0aa9b.htm |title='Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers' |last=Harrington |first=Richard |date=October 22, 1988 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=October 22, 2017}}</ref> [[Kim Newman]] for ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' said "It's incredible that a film could be so closely patterned on Carpenter's still-thrilling original movie and yet be so stupid, unscary and plodding as ''Halloween 4'' is."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/halloween-4-return-michael-myers/review/ |title=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Review |last=Newman |first=Kim |author-link=Kim Newman |website=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |date=January 2000 |access-date=October 28, 2017}}</ref> In 2000, Kim Newman for [[Empire (magazine)|Empire Magazine]] rated the film, 1 out of 5 stars calling it "unimaginative, uninspiring, predictable and dumb."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newman |first1=Kim |title=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Review |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/halloween-4-return-michael-myers-review/ |website=Empire |date=January 2000 |access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref>

Over two decades after its release, the film received some positive reception from reviews by online horror centric websites such as ''[[JoBlo.com]]'' said, "The movie is tight, has good murders and a kicked my butt ending. The Shape is back and in good form; this is my favorite ''Halloween'' next to the first one."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://joblo.com/arrow/halloween4.htm |title=Halloween 4 (1988) |website=[[JoBlo.com]] |access-date=October 28, 2017 |archive-date=January 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123063735/http://www.joblo.com/arrow/halloween4.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[IGN]]'' declared "''Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers'' stands out as the second best film in the entire series."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ign.com/articles/2012/08/16/halloween-4-the-return-of-michael-myers-blu-ray-review |title=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Blu-ray Review |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=August 16, 2012|access-date=October 28, 2017}}</ref> In 2017, Davey Conner (now attributed to [[Alan Smithee]] as of 2023) writing for ''[[Dread Central]]'' said, "''Halloween 4'' is a strong sequel, horror film and ''Halloween'' movie."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dreadcentral.com/news/214235/halloween-4-return-michael-myers-undervalued-sequel/ |title=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Is an Undervalued Sequel |last=Davey |first=Connor |date=February 16, 2017 |website=[[Dread Central]] |access-date=October 28, 2017}}</ref> ''[[DVD Talk]]'' said "Despite its flaws, ''Halloween 4'' is one of the best slashers from the late 1980s, standing out in an era when the sub genre was in steep decline."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/56542/halloween-4/ |title=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (Blu-ray) |last=Tyner |first=Adam |date=August 21, 2012 |website=[[DVD Talk]] |access-date=October 28, 2017}}</ref>

In retrospect, director Dwight Little said:<blockquote>“That's another movie that was not received very well. It did well commercially, but the critic response was not great. I don't know what the expectations were with Michael Myers. There's an initial resistance to that movie, but later over the years, there have been several reissues on DVD and Blu-ray, and so forth. And of course, it plays every year, and I think people really love it now.“<ref>[https://bloody-disgusting.com/?p=3795923 Dwight Little Talks 'Halloween 4' and New Memoir 'Still Rolling: Inside the Hollywood Dream Factory'] - [[Bloody Disgusting]]</ref></blockquote>

===Home media===
The film was first released on VHS in May 1989 as a rental title by CBS/FOX home entertainment.{{sfn|Craddock|2006|p=1211}} It was made available for sell-through in October 1989 to coincide with the theatrical release of ''[[Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers]]''. In 2006, [[Anchor Bay Entertainment]] released special editions of this film and its sequel on DVD.{{sfn|Stine|2003|p=137}} Supplements include the ''Halloween 4''/''5'' panel at the "Return to Haddonfield" convention in 2003, a documentary titled "''Halloween 4'' Final Cut", a commentary with Danielle Harris and Ellie Cornell, another commentary by Alan B. McElroy and Anthony Masi and the film's theatrical trailer. ''Halloween 4'', ''Halloween 5'', a [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]], standard DVD and extended edition of ''[[Halloween (1978 film)|Halloween]]'' and the documentary ''Halloween: 25 Years of Terror'' were released together with a replica Michael Myers mask in a limited edition 30th anniversary box set of the first film. The film was released on Blu-ray in [[Germany]] on May 4, 2012,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Halloween-4-The-Return-of-Michael-Myers-Blu-ray/40846| title=Halloween 4 The Return of Michael Myers Blu-ray| publisher=Blu-ray.com| access-date=April 5, 2011}}</ref> and in the US on August 21, 2012.<ref name="archive.is">{{cite web |url=http://www.deepdiscount.com/bluray/HALLOWEEN-4 |title=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers [Blu-ray] Blu-ray | Free Shi… |website=www.deepdiscount.com |access-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121100606/http://www.deepdiscount.com/bluray/HALLOWEEN-4 |archive-date=21 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the United Kingdom, ''Halloween 4'' was originally released on VHS format by Braveworld in the early 1990s, and then, Legend distribution. On June 17, 2002, Digital Entertainment released the film on VHS,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Halloween-Return-Michael-Myers-VHS/dp/B00004CJ6N/ | title=Halloween 4 - The Return Of Michael Myers [VHS] [1989]| date=23 January 1995| publisher=[[Amazon.co.uk]]| access-date=October 28, 2017}}</ref> while a second version from the company containing a "Widescreen Presentation" was released on September 5, 2002.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Halloween-Return-Michael-Myers-VHS/dp/B00004D09L/ | title=Halloween 4 - The Return Of Michael Myers [VHS] [1989]| date=November 1999| publisher=[[Amazon.co.uk]]| access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> [[Anchor Bay Entertainment]] released the film for the first time on DVD in a "Special Edition" on January 28, 2002, while Digital Entertainment released the film several months later on September 5, 2002 to coincide with their newest VHS release.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Halloween-IV-Return-Michael-Myers/dp/B00004D0A1/ | title=Halloween IV: The Return of Michael Myers [DVD] [1989]| date=29 October 1999| publisher=[[Amazon.co.uk]]| access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> Hollywood released the film individually on October 27, 2003, and released a set containing the film with [[Ulli Lommel]]'s ''[[The Boogeyman (1980 film)|The Boogeyman]]'', ''[[Boogeyman II]]'', and ''Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers''.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/Boogeyman-Halloween/dp/B00TPXR0MO/ | title=Boogeyman 1 & 2 And Halloween 4 & 5| publisher=[[Amazon.co.uk]]| access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> Hollywood also released a double feature containing the film alongside [[Mario Bava]]'s ''[[A Bay of Blood]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/Halloween-4-Bay-Blood/dp/B0031GRLGG/ | title=Halloween 4 / A Bay Of Blood| publisher=[[Amazon.co.uk]]| access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> Anchor Bay then acquired rights to all subsequent home video releases, and released ''Halloween 4'' with the 1986 film ''[[House (1986 film)|House]]'' in another double feature on February 6, 2006.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Halloween-DVD-Alan-Autry/dp/B000CEGU3A/ | title=House / Halloween 4 [DVD]| date=6 February 2006| publisher=[[Amazon.co.uk]]| access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> Anchor Bay re-issued the DVD on October 11, 2010, which features the theatrical trailer and the featurette, "Inside Halloween 4".<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/Halloween-Return-Michael-Myers-DVD/dp/B003V98UEK/ | title=Halloween 4: The Return Of Michael Myers [DVD]| date=11 October 2010| publisher=[[Amazon.co.uk]]| access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> Anchor Bay released the film again as part of a DVD set, which contains the first five films in the franchise, on October 15, 2012.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Halloween-1-5-Collection-Jamie-Curtis/dp/B008XH1NDU/ | title=Halloween 1-5 Collection [DVD]| date=15 October 2012| publisher=amazon.co.uk| access-date=28 October 2014}}</ref> This release contains new special features: audio commentary with actors Ellie Cornell and Danielle Harris, audio commentary with director Dwight H. Little and author Justin Beahm, ''Halloween 4''/''5'' discussion panel, and theatrical trailer.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/Halloween-Return-Michael-Myers-Blu-ray/dp/B008XH1NIA | title=Halloween 4 The Return of Michael Myers Blu-ray| date=15 October 2012| publisher=amazon.co.uk| access-date=October 28, 2014}}</ref> [[Shout! Factory]] also released the first ten films on Blu-ray in a limited edition box set in addition to ''Halloween 4'' on [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] under the Scream Factory label.

The film was also released on Blu-ray in Australia on October 2, 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/movies-tv-shows/movies-tv-shows-on-sale/horror/halloween-4/457231/ |title=JB Hi-Fi | Halloween 4 Blu-Ray |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140912104000/https://www.jbhifi.com.au/movies-tv-shows/movies-tv-shows-on-sale/horror/halloween-4/457231/ |archive-date=12 September 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Novelization===
To tie in with the film's release, a [[novelization]] by [[Nicholas Grabowsky]] was published, containing 224 pages. The novel closely follows the film's events, with a few alterations. In 2003, the novel was re-issued with new material and cover art, titled ''Halloween IV: The Special Limited Edition''. In 2013, a hardcover version was released, titled ''Halloween IV: The Ultimate Authorized Edition'' which includes a never-before-published epilogue that changes the original ending.

===Cultural impact===
Guitarist Brian Carroll, known as [[Buckethead]], was inspired to create his Buckethead character after seeing the film.<ref name="MTV.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458813/kurt-loder-meets-gnrs-buckethead.jhtml |title=Beneath The Bucket, Behind The Mask: Kurt Loder Meets GN'R's Buckethead |publisher=MTV.com |date=2002-11-21 |access-date=2013-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510180030/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458813/kurt-loder-meets-gnrs-buckethead.jhtml |archive-date=May 10, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Speculative fiction/Horror|1980s}}
* [[List of films set around Halloween]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Works cited==
* {{cite book|last=Craddock|first=James M.|year=2006|title=Video Source Book: Video Program Listings A-I|publisher=Thomson Gale|location=Detroit, Michigan|isbn=978-0-787-68977-3|edition=36th}}
* {{cite AV media|last1=Harris|first1=Danielle|last2=Cornell|first2=Ellie|title=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers|year=2013|orig-year=2006|publisher=Anchor Bay Entertainment/Scream Factory|medium=[[Audio commentary]]; Blu-ray}}
* {{cite AV media|last1=Little|first1=Dwight H.|title=Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers|year=2013|orig-year=2006|publisher=Anchor Bay Entertainment/Scream Factory|medium=Audio commentary; Blu-ray}}
* {{cite book|last=Stine|first=Scott Aaron|year=2003|title=The Gorehound's Guide to Splatter Films of the 1980s|publisher=McFarland|location=Jefferson, North Carolina|isbn=978-0-786-41532-8}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{official website|http://www.halloweenmovies.com/}}
* {{IMDb title|0095271}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|halloween_4_the_return_of_michael_myers}}
* {{Metacritic film}}
* {{mojo title|halloween4}}
* [https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/77239/halloween-4-the-return-of-michael-myers ''Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers''] at the [[Turner Classic Movies|TCM Movie Database]]

{{Halloween series}}
{{Dwight H. Little}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Halloween 4}}
[[Category:1988 films]]
[[Category:1988 horror films]]
[[Category:1988 independent films]]
[[Category:1980s American films]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
[[Category:1980s slasher films]]
[[Category:Alternative sequel films]]
[[Category:American independent films]]
[[Category:American sequel films]]
[[Category:American serial killer films]]
[[Category:American slasher films]]
[[Category:English-language independent films]]
[[Category:English-language horror films]]
[[Category:Films about children]]
[[Category:Films about orphans]]
[[Category:Films directed by Dwight H. Little]]
[[Category:Films scored by Alan Howarth (composer)]]
[[Category:Films set in 1988]]
[[Category:Films set in Illinois]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Films shot in Salt Lake City]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Alan B. McElroy]]
[[Category:Halloween (franchise) films|4]]
[[Category:Saturn Award–winning films]]
[[Category:Films about psychopaths and sociopaths]]

Blade II

2025-05-10T03:23:37Z

100.1.2.26:

{{short description|2002 film by Guillermo del Toro}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = November 2019}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Blade II
| image = Blade II movie.jpg
| alt = Blade standing opposite his opponent, wearing his traditional jet black special suit and sunglasses, wielding his Titanium made, acid edged sword, with a negative background image around him showing the face of an evil [[vampire]]. Near the bottom are the film's name, credits and billing details. Wesley Snipes' name is written on the bottom.
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Guillermo del Toro]]
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* Peter Frankfurt
* [[Wesley Snipes]]
* Patrick Palmer
}}
| writer = [[David S. Goyer]]
| based_on = {{Based on|[[Blade (character)|Blade]]|[[Marv Wolfman]]|[[Gene Colan]]}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* Wesley Snipes
* [[Kris Kristofferson]]
* [[Ron Perlman]]
* [[Leonor Varela]]
* [[Norman Reedus]]
* [[Luke Goss]]
}}
| music = [[Marco Beltrami]]
| cinematography = [[Gabriel Beristain]]
| editing = Peter Amundson
| studio = {{Plainlist|
* [[New Line Cinema]]
* [[Marvel Enterprises]]
* Amen Ra Films
}}
| distributor = New Line Cinema
| released = {{Film date|2002|03|22}}
| runtime = 117 minutes<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/blade-ii-2002-2 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305181130/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/blade-ii-2002-2 | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 5, 2016 | title=''BLADE II'' (18) | work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=March 19, 2002 | access-date=April 29, 2015}}</ref>
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $54 million<ref name="BOM" />
| gross = $155 million<ref name="BOM" />
}}
'''''Blade II''''' is a 2002 American [[superhero film]] based on the [[Marvel Comics]] character [[Blade (character)|Blade]], directed by [[Guillermo del Toro]] and written by [[David S. Goyer]]. The sequel to ''[[Blade (1998 film)|Blade]]'' (1998), it is the second installment in the [[Blade (franchise)|''Blade'' franchise]]. The film follows the [[Dhampir|human-vampire hybrid]] [[Blade (New Line franchise character)|Blade]] in his continuing effort to [[Vampire hunter|protect humans from vampires]]. Blade must join forces with an elite group of vampires to fight against mutant vampires who plan a global genocide of both vampire and human races.

''Blade II'' was released in the United States on March 22, 2002, and was a box office success, grossing $155 million. It received mixed reviews from critics, earning praise for its performances, atmosphere, direction, and action sequences, although its script and lack of character development have been criticized. The film was followed by ''[[Blade: Trinity]]'' in 2004.

==Plot==

In [[Prague]], [[Blade (New Line franchise character)|Blade]] searches for his mentor [[Abraham Whistler]], who was thought dead after being attacked by [[Deacon Frost]],{{Efn|name=Timeline|depicted in ''[[Blade (1998 film)]]''}} but was instead turned into a vampire and held prisoner by them for two years. After interrogating vampire Rush on Whistler's whereabouts, Blade rescues Whistler and cures him of his vampirism. Whistler meets Scud, Blade's young, gifted new technician.

A pandemic is turning vampires into "Reapers", primal, mutant creatures with a ravenous thirst for blood and a highly infectious bite that transforms both humans and vampires alike. The original carrier of the Reaper strain and cause of the pandemic is Jared Nomak, who bears hatred toward the vampire race. To combat the Reapers, vampire overlord Eli Damaskinos sends his trusted servant Asad and his daughter, Nyssa, to strike a truce with Blade. Knowing humans will be the Reapers’ next target after vampires, Blade reluctantly allies himself with them.

He teams up with the Bloodpack, an elite group of vampires originally assembled to kill him, consisting of Asad, Nyssa, Reinhardt, Chupa, Snowman, Priest, Verlaine, and her lover, Lighthammer. As Reinhardt openly challenges him to fight, Blade, in response, attaches an explosive to the back of his skull to keep him in line. They investigate a vampire nightclub where they encounter the Reapers and discover they are immune to most vampire weaknesses except for [[Ultraviolet|UV]] exposure. Nomak arrives and tries to recruit Blade to his cause, but the latter refuses. Blade fights Nomak but cannot kill him due to his immunity to his weapons before the sun rises and Nomak retreats. Lighthammer is bitten but conceals the bite from the group while Priest is bitten and in the process of turning before being mercy-killed through exposure to sunlight.

Whistler returns to the group after locating the Reaper nest beneath the sewers. Nyssa dissects a dead Reaper and learns that their hearts are encased in durable bone. Scud and Whistler issue new UV weapons for the team and a UV-emitting bomb to take out the entire nest.

Entering the Reaper nest at dawn, Lighthammer transforms into a Reaper and kills Snowman. Verlaine sacrifices herself to kill Lighthammer by exposing them both to sunlight. Chupa turns on Whistler in retaliation for Priest's death, but Whistler secretly releases a cartridge of Reaper [[pheromones]] into the air, luring a horde that kills and devours Chupa. Asad and Nyssa are ambushed, and Asad is killed. Blade saves Nyssa and detonates the UV bomb, killing all the Reapers except Nomak. Nyssa and Reinhardt manage to evade the blast, but Nyssa is seriously injured until Blade allows her to drink his blood to survive.

Damaskinos' forces arrive and capture Blade, Whistler, and Scud. Damaskinos revealed that the Reapers exist due to his efforts to engineer a stronger breed of vampires devoid of their natural weaknesses. Nomak, the first Reaper, is his own son, whom Damaskinos considers a failure. Scud reveals himself to be one of Damaskinos's [[familiars]], but Blade, who already suspected this, kills him with the explosive he planted on Reinhardt earlier, which Scud originally thought was a dud until Blade secretly swapped it with a real explosive.

Damaskinos plans to harvest Blade's blood to develop an immunity to sunlight and create a new, invincible breed of vampires. Whistler frees himself, escapes from Reinhardt, and rescues a weakened Blade. Reinhardt shoots at the two, but Blade falls into Damaskinos' blood pool, restoring his strength. He fights his way through Damaskinos' henchmen and kills Reinhardt.

Nomak enters Damaskinos's stronghold, seeking revenge on his father. Nyssa, seeing how her father holds no regard for his own offspring, betrays Damaskinos by sealing off their escape route, and Nomak kills Damaskinos after failing to negotiate with him. Nomak then bites Nyssa, infecting her with the Reaper virus. Blade and Nomak engage in battle, and he manages to stab Nomak through his encased heart. Wanting to end his suffering, Nomak kills himself with Blade's sword. Fulfilling Nyssa's dying wish, Blade takes her outside and embraces her as her body disintegrates from the sunrise. Sometime later in [[London]], Blade tracks down Rush to a strip club booth and kills him.

==Cast==
* [[Wesley Snipes]] as [[Blade (New Line franchise character)|Eric Brooks / Blade]]: A half-vampire "daywalker" (a [[Dhampir]]) who hunts vampires. Wesley Snipes stated that while such a character is not going to have much emotional depth, he also said that "there's some acting involved in creating the character and making him believable and palatable".<ref>{{cite news |date= April 1, 2002 |author= Bill Higgins |title= A party with a bite |url= https://variety.com/2002/scene/vpage/a-party-with-a-bite-1117864777/ |work= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date= 2020-04-04}}</ref>
* [[Kris Kristofferson]] as [[Abraham Whistler]]: Blade's human mentor and weaponsmith.
* [[Norman Reedus]] as [[Scud]]: Blade's weaponsmith in the absence of Whistler.
* [[Ron Perlman]] as Dieter Reinhardt: A member of the Bloodpack who bears a particular grudge against Blade
* [[Leonor Varela]] as Nyssa Damaskinos: An unapologetic-but-honourable, natural-born vampire and daughter to Damaskinos.
* [[Thomas Kretschmann]] as Eli Damaskinos: An ancient vampire who is obsessed with creating a superior race of vampires as his legacy.
* [[Luke Goss]] as Jared Nomak: [[Index case (medicine)|Patient zero]] and [[Asymptomatic carrier|carrier]] of the Reaper virus. He bears a grudge against his father, Eli Damaskinos, for creating him.
* [[Matt Schulze]] as "Chupa": A pugnacious member of the Bloodpack who bears a particular grudge against Whistler
* [[Danny John-Jules]] as Asad: A well-mannered member of the Bloodpack
* [[Donnie Yen]] as "Snowman": A mute swordsman and member of the Bloodpack
* [[Karel Roden]] as Karel Kounen: A familiar, Damaskinos's human agent and lawyer.
* [[Marit Velle Kile]] as Verlaine: A red-haired member of the Bloodpack and the lover of Lighthammer. The script originally said that she was the twin sister of Racquel from the first movie.
* Daz Crawford as "Lighthammer": A hulking, hammer-wielding member of the Bloodpack with facial tattoos
* [[Tony Curran]] as "Priest": An Irish-accented member of the Bloodpack
* [[Santiago Segura]] as "Rush": A vampire flunky in Prague.

==Production==
Following the success of the original film, [[New Line Cinema]] and [[Marvel Enterprises]] made plans for a sequel in 1999. Goyer had planned to use [[Morbius]] but Marvel wanted to keep the character for a franchise of his own.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jason Myers |title=David Goyer: Stripped to the Bone : Interview |url=http://www.revolutionsf.com/article.php?id=1082 |website=RevolutionSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222080655/http://www.revolutionsf.com/article.php?id=1082 |archive-date=2010-02-22 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Goyer compared the story to ''[[The Dirty Dozen]]''.<ref name="Cinefantastique">[https://archive.org/details/CinefantastiqueVol34No2Apr2002 Cinefantastique Vol 34 No 2 (Apr 2002)]</ref> [[Guillermo del Toro]] was hired to direct ''Blade II'' by New Line Cinema production president [[Michael De Luca]]<ref>{{cite news |date= March 25, 2002 |author= Michael Fleming |title= Helmer scales mountains |url= https://variety.com/2002/voices/columns/helmer-scales-mountains-1117864489/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date= 2018-12-24}}</ref> after [[Stephen Norrington]] turned down the offer to direct the sequel.{{Citation needed|reason=No proof Norrington was offerred or turned down the sequel|date=December 2020}} Goyer and Frankfurt both admired director Guillermo del Toro and believed his dark sensibilities to be ideal for ''Blade II''. Frankfurt first met del Toro when Frankfurt's design company, Imaginary Forces, did the title sequences for ''[[Mimic (film)|Mimic]]'': "I admired ''Mimic'' and got to know Guillermo through that film. Both David Goyer and I have been fans of his since ''[[Cronos (film)|Cronos]]'' and were enthusiastic about him coming on board. Guillermo is such a visual director and has a very strong sense of how he wants a movie to look. When you sign on with someone like Guillermo you're not going to tell him what the movie should look like, you're going to let him run with it". Like Goyer, del Toro has a passion for comic books, in Goyer's comment: "Guillermo was weaned on comic books, as was I. I was a huge comic book collector, my brother and I had about twelve thousand comic books that we assembled when we were kids, so I know my background". [[Tippett Studio]] provided computer-generated visual effects, including digital doubles of some of the characters, while [[Steve Johnson (special effects artist)|Steve Johnson]] and his company XFX were hired to create the prosthetic makeup and animatronic effects.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 21, 2002 |author= Ellen Wolff |title= Artists flaunt character development at confab |url= https://variety.com/2002/digital/features/artists-flaunt-character-development-at-confab-1117870028/ |work= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date= 2018-12-24}}</ref>

Del Toro was tired of the romantic concept of "vampires being tortured Victorian heroes" and wanted vampires to be scary again.<ref name="Cinefantastique" />
Del Toro chose not to alter the script too much from the ideas created by Goyer and Snipes. According to del Toro: "I wanted the movie to have a feeling of both a comic book and [[Anime|Japanese animation]]. I resurrected those sources and viewed them again. I dissected most of the dailies from the first movie; I literally grabbed about four boxes of tapes and one by one saw every single tape from beginning to end until I perfectly understood where the language of the first film came from. I studied the style of the first one and I think Norrington used a tremendous narrative style. His work is very elegant".

Stepping back into Blade's shoes was a challenge Wesley Snipes relished: "I love playing this role. It's fun as an actor to test your skills at doing a sequel, to see if you can recreate something that you did". Peter Frankfurt added that "Wesley is Blade; so much of the character was invented by Wesley and his instincts are so spot on. He takes his fighting, his weapons and attitude very seriously. He's incredibly focused, but he's also very cool and fun".

Del Toro said that "Wesley knows Blade better than David Goyer, better than me, better than anyone else involved in the franchise. He instinctively knows what the character would and wouldn't do, and every time he twists something around, something better would come out".

[[Principal photography|Filming]] took place in the [[Czech Republic]], at [[Prague Studios]]<ref>{{cite web |date=10 July 2001 |last=Meils |first=Cathy |title=Prague Studios gets $1 million upgrade |url=https://variety.com/2001/film/news/prague-studios-gets-1-million-upgrade-1117802712/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=18 June 2012 |author=Steve Head |title=Prague Studios to House $55 Million Blade 2 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/24/prague-studios-to-house-55-million-blade-2 |website=[[IGN]] }}</ref> and [[Barrandov Studios]], as well as London from March 12, 2001, and concluded on July 2 the same year.

==Music==
{{main|Blade II (soundtrack)}}
A soundtrack to the film was released on March 19, 2002, through [[Immortal Records]] and [[Virgin Records]], and which featured collaborations between hip hop artists and electronic artists. This soundtrack appeared on four different [[Billboard charts|''Billboard'' charts]], reaching number 26 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref name="hitsmisses">{{cite news
| title = The Hits and Misses of Marvel Comics Movie Soundtracks
| first = Lilian
| last = Min
| url = http://pitchfork.com/thepitch/867-the-hits-and-misses-of-marvel-comics-movie-soundtracks/
| newspaper = [[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]
| date = August 13, 2015
| access-date = 2016-11-01}}</ref> It spawned two [[Single (music)|single]]s: "Child of the Wild West" and "Mind What You Say".<ref name="judgementnight">{{cite news
| title = The Judgment Night soundtrack foretold the rap-rock apocalypse
| first = Sean
| last = O'Neal
| url = http://www.avclub.com/article/judgment-night-soundtrack-foretold-rap-rock-apocal-241185
| newspaper = [[The A.V. Club]]
| date = August 24, 2016
| access-date = 2016-11-01}}</ref>

==Release==
===Home media===
The New Line Platinum Series [[DVD]] contains several [[deleted scene]]s, including a flashback sequence showing Blade's first meeting with Whistler, and a music video for "Child of the Wild West", performed by [[West Coast hip-hop]] group [[Cypress Hill]] and featuring [[drum and bass]] performer [[Roni Size]] in the DVD special features on disc 2, [[VHS]] Capture, and the theatrical trailer.

A [[Blu-ray]] version was released in 2012.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=8468 |title=Blade II Blu-ray (Updated) |access-date=2025-02-25 |via=www.blu-ray.com}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Box office===
''Blade II'' was released on March 22, 2002. This was during a period of the year (months March and April) considered to be a bad time for sequels to be released.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 22, 2002 |author=Variety staff |title=Weekend Box Office Preview (March 22, 2002) |url= https://variety.com/2002/film/box-office/weekend-box-office-preview-br-march-22-2002-1117864344/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date= 2020-01-01}}</ref> Despite this, the film became the highest-grossing film of the [[Blade (franchise)|''Blade'' series]], making $80 million in the United States and $150 million worldwide. In its opening weekend, the film earned $32,528,016 from 2,707 theaters,<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=blade2.htm |title=''Blade II'' |access-date=2008-12-13 |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref> but dropped 59% of its earnings in its second week, which brought in $13.2 million. The intake is believed to be affected (in part) by the pull of NCAA basketball Final Four games.<ref>{{cite news|author=Dave McNary |title=Col's "Room" at the top |url=https://variety.com/2002/film/box-office/col-s-room-at-the-top-1117864637/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=March 31, 2002 |access-date=2008-12-13}}</ref> The film debuted in the [[United Kingdom]] at number one, making $3.6 million from 355 theaters<ref>{{cite news|author=Don Groves |title="Ice" the rage o'seas |url=https://variety.com/2002/film/box-office/ice-the-rage-o-seas-1117864735/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=April 1, 2002 |access-date=2020-12-03}}</ref> and held the spot for the following week, where it had earned $7.9 million, despite a 47% decline. The film was also number one in [[Singapore]], making $214,000 from 30 theaters.<ref>{{cite news|author=Don Groves |title="Ice" ages well overseas |url= https://variety.com/2002/film/box-office/ice-ages-well-overseas-1117865094/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=April 8, 2002 |access-date= 2008-12-13}}</ref>

===Critical response===
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film has an approval rating of 57% based on 150 reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's consensus reads: "Though ''Blade II'' offers more of what worked in the original, its plot and character development appear to have been left on the cutting room floor."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/blade_ii |title=Blade II |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]] |access-date={{RT data|access date|df=iso}} }}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]] it has a weighted average score of 52 out of 100 based on reviews from 28 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.metacritic.com/movie/blade-ii | title=Blade II (2002) | work= [[Metacritic]] | access-date= December 24, 2020 }}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= CinemaScore |access-date= December 25, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041238/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= July 22, 2018 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all}}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] gave the film three and a half out of four stars, stating: "''Blade II'' is a really rather brilliant vomitorium of viscera, a comic book with dreams of becoming a textbook for mad surgeons".<ref>{{cite news |author= Roger Ebert |author-link= Roger Ebert |url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/blade-ii-2002 |title= Blade II |publisher= [[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date= March 22, 2002 |access-date= 2011-01-06}}</ref> [[James Berardinelli]] gave the film two and a half out of four stars: "''Blade II'' is for those undiscriminating movie-goers who want nothing more from a trip to the multiplex than loud, raucous, mindless entertainment".<ref>{{cite web |date=2002-03-22 |first=James |last=Berardinelli |author-link=James Berardinelli |title=Blade II - Reelviews Movie Reviews |publisher=Reelviews.net |url=http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/b/blade2.html |access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref>

===Accolades===
Like its predecessor, the film was nominated for both [[Saturn Award for Best Horror Film|Best Horror Film]] and [[Saturn Award for Best Make-up|Best Make-up]] at the [[Saturn Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saturnawards.org/saturn_rings/saturn_rings_04.pdf |title=''Minority Report'' & ''Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' Win Big At The 29th Annual Saturn Awards |access-date=May 4, 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402174643/http://www.saturnawards.org/saturn_rings/saturn_rings_04.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2012}}</ref>

==Video game==
A video game ''[[Blade II (video game)|Blade II]]'' was released for the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] on September 3, 2002. Reviews were generally negative.<ref name="MCPS2">{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/blade-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 | title=Blade II for PlayStation 2 Reviews | website=[[Metacritic]] | access-date=September 11, 2021 }}</ref><ref name="MCXB">{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/blade-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox | title=Blade II for Xbox Reviews | website=Metacritic | access-date=September 11, 2021 }}</ref>

==Sequel==
{{main|Blade: Trinity}}
A sequel, ''Blade: Trinity'', was released in 2004.

==See also==
{{Portal|Film}}
* [[Vampire film]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{AFI film}}
* {{Mojo title}}
* {{IMDb title|0187738}}
* {{TCMDb title}}
* [https://archive.today/20121208180720/http://marvel.com/movies/Blade.Blade_II ''Blade II''] at [[Marvel Entertainment, Inc.|Marvel.com]]
* [http://www.horrorlair.com/scripts/blade2.html ''Blade II'' script] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210030134/http://www.horrorlair.com/scripts/blade2.html |date=February 10, 2010 }}

{{Blade}}
{{Marvel comics films}}
{{Guillermo del Toro}}
{{David S. Goyer}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blade Ii}}
[[Category:2002 films]]
[[Category:2002 horror films]]
[[Category:2002 science fiction action films]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:2000s action horror films]]
[[Category:2000s superhero films]]
[[Category:2000s monster movies]]
[[Category:American superhero films]]
[[Category:American science fiction action films]]
[[Category:American action horror films]]
[[Category:American neo-noir films]]
[[Category:American vampire films]]
[[Category:American sequel films]]
[[Category:English-language action horror films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction horror films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction action films]]
[[Category:African-American superhero films]]
[[Category:African-American horror films]]
[[Category:Live-action films based on Marvel Comics]]
[[Category:Blade (franchise)]]
[[Category:Blade (comics) films]]
[[Category:Kung fu films]]
[[Category:Martial arts horror films]]
[[Category:Superhero horror films]]
[[Category:Films about friendship]]
[[Category:Films about genetic engineering]]
[[Category:Fictional-language films]]
[[Category:Serbian-language films]]
[[Category:Films set in 1999]]
[[Category:Films set in London]]
[[Category:Films set in Prague]]
[[Category:Films shot in the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Films shot at Barrandov Studios]]
[[Category:Films shot in London]]
[[Category:Films shot in Toronto]]
[[Category:Films directed by Guillermo del Toro]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by David S. Goyer]]
[[Category:Films scored by Marco Beltrami]]
[[Category:Films produced by Peter Frankfurt]]
[[Category:Films produced by Wesley Snipes]]
[[Category:New Line Cinema films]]