Rocky II (1979) Review

 

Rocky II (1979)

Rocky II follows Rocky Balboa, who has found a newfound fame after going 15 rounds with the reigning champ, though he longs for a simpler life away from boxing. Creed however, will stop at nothing to get Balboa back in the ring, believing their first bout was a fluke. 

While there is no question that the first Rocky was nothing short of terrific, its sequel really brings the story around full circle, allowing it to feel like a complete story in 2 parts that can accurately flesh out the deeper sides of Rocky as a individual, family man, and boxer. Expertly, Stallone diverts expectations and keeps this movie in line with Rocky’s character, having him move on, to humbly start a family and step away from boxing knowing he gave it his all. Seeing him insistent on holding true when the whole world is telling him to fight, it’s deeply moving cinema. Because this is a man who has fought his whole life and now without it, where does he go and what will it take to bring him back from the bottom?

Another interesting avenue that this film explores is Apollo’s perspective, and how he is handling his near loss to this no-name fighter off the streets of Philly. The contrast between his incessant hunger to get back at Rocky and Rocky’s lackadaisical approach to life post-boxing only make Rocky’s life away from boxing all the more interesting, especially as he handles setback after setback in the birth of his som, Adrian’s hospitalization, and the prospect of simply being unhireable. 

The magic is replicated again, with a fantastic returning cast, starring Tony Burton, Burt Young, Talia Shire, Burgess Merideth, Carl Weathers, and Sylvester Stallone. Merideth is given the opportunity to chew even more scenes with Stallone this time around and, mixed with his usually loud and brash training style, shows he’s equally as capable at heartfelt and caring, as he is motivational. Stallone, once again, plays Rocky so naturally as well, portraying deeper, more sincere sides to the underdog fighter. 

Rocky II, directed by Sylvester Stallone himself, is not only a formidable sequel to the first but it really dives into deeper subjects and forces Rocky’s back to the wall so that he can fight his way back to become the champion he was meant to be.

8.8/10