Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith, Tony Burton, Joe Spinnell
Rocky II is an exciting, thoughtful sequel that truly continues the Rocky story before subsequent sequels turned Rocky Balboa into a superhero. Rocky, of course, lost the first fight with Apollo Creed by a split decision, an outcome that doesn't sit well with Apollo or the general public. Apollo is rattled by the public's perception that Rocky truly won the fight. He challenges the southpaw to a rematch with promises to really put a hurting on Balboa this time, as if hospitalizing him the first time wasn't enough.
Rocky, who endured a horrific beating that threatens his sight, marries Adrian and settles down in Philly after retiring. Apollo goads Rocky into accepting the rematch even though Adrian is scared for Rocky's health. Apollo's trainer Duke Evers (Burton) is not keen on having a rematch with Balboa. ("I saw that man take a beating unlike any man I've ever seen before, and the man kept coming after you.") Remember in the first film when Duke expressed his concern that Rocky may be a dangerous opponent? ("He just doesn't think it's a damn show. He thinks it's a damn fight.")
If he didn't make his feelings clear then, he sure does in Rocky II.
Rocky tries to get a real job or even cash in on his newfound celebrity by shooting commercials. He doesn't have many skills that don't require punching someone and he can barely read the cue cards much to the mounting frustration of the director. Fighting is all he knows and loves. Adrian's pregnancy further complicates matters. But, naturally, Adrian comes around in dramatic fashion and Rocky runs through the city with kids following their hero. I liked the run in the first Rocky better where Rocky did it alone through the desolate Philly streets. Rocky II probably had a higher budget and therefore could hire more extras. But the run is a bit cheesier this time.
Rocky II realistically addresses the idea of taming the savage beast. Rocky either fought or collected money for a local loan shark. He isn't cut out for much else. Since the baby is coming and Rocky just bought a house and new car, Apollo's challenge looks more and more like the better play. I also enjoyed the different dimensions of Apollo as played by Carl Weathers. He is still the trash-talking showman, but he is now angrier and more willing to play the bad guy to lure Rocky out of retirement. He is hurt by the backlash about the first fight. He can't let it go even though he should. After all, he suffered broken ribs and a hospital stay himself... and he won. Rocky hooks up with Mickey (Meredith), who in his no-nonsense, gruff way, puts it plainly, "Let's knock his block off."
The final fight is in the tradition of Rocky fights. More punches are thrown in one round than in entire real boxing matches. Both men endure hellacious beatings. Rocky Balboa may actually be the first fighter to become smarter after two straight beatdowns. It is amusing when the referee threatens to stop the fight before the start of the fifteenth round. Where were you six or seven rounds ago? In Rocky III and Rocky IV, he is far and away more articulate, more sure of himself, and seemingly more thoughtful and analytical. Take that Dr. Bennett Omalu!
One of the reasons Rocky (1976) remains a great film is its willingness to show Rocky as savage with a soft spot for Adrian. That Rocky (and the one in this film) is not stupid, but has a colorful, straightforward way of expressing himself in as few words as needed. He is as smart as he needs to be. He comes from somewhere and his hometown is as big a co-star as the other actors. Rocky II is polished filmmaking that more or less keeps the Rocky Balboa persona intact. The climactic fight is exciting and the finale is unlikely, but suspenseful and it works. Of all the Rocky sequels, this one comes closest to maintaining the integrity of these characters.
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