Director: Sylvester Stallone
Writer: Sylvester Stallone (Screenplay)
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith
Plot: Rocky struggles in family life after his bout with Apollo Creed, while the embarrassed champ insistently goads him to accept a challenge for a rematch.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Great Continuing Story
Story: Rocky II starts right where the last film finished as we see aftermath with Rocky (Stallone) and Apollo (Weathers) both being treated in hospital, continuing their rivalry on camera. Rocky wants to treat his friends and loved ones well with his new wealth which includes marrying Adrian (Shire).
When Rocky starts struggling to make ends meet he tries his hand in different fields but constantly fails, with a pregnant wife Rocky turns to the only thing he knows and that is fighting. When Apollo demands a rematch so he can beat Rocky we are left to watch as he brings all the dirty tricks out there to bring Rocky out of retirement for one last fight.
Rocky II follows on which is a great way to continuing the somewhat incomplete story in the original story. It is great seeing the side effects from sudden rise to fame and how difficult it would be for someone to go back to normal everyday life. We also get to see how pride can get someone into trouble with the problems Apollo is facing after the events in the first one showing how it can take over even the best in a sports stars.
Actor Review
Sylvester Stallone: Rocky fresh off his success and new found fame finds himself struggling with everyday life, he struggles with money and loss of respect from the people who once looked up to him. He finally comes out of retirement to show the world that he wasn’t a one fight wonder. Sylvester gives us a great performance in this role that continues to show he could be a big sports actor.
Talia Shire: Adrian is now married to Rocky and expecting her first child, she has to go back to work to help ends meet as Rocky is struggling to find a job. When she pushes herself too far she finds herself in hospital where she finds herself fighting for her life. Talia gets a bigger role and a much more important role in the film letting her show off her talent in the role.
Burt Young: Paulie is Adrian’s brother who wants to help Rocky through his struggles with his new found success in business thanks to the first fight. Burt unlike Talia really doesn’t get too many scenes in the film.
Carl Weathers: Apollo is embarrassed by how the first fight ended and wants to prove to the world that Rocky was nothing more than a fluke, he goes out to publicly humiliate Rocky until he accepts his challenge for a rematch. Carl gives a better performance in this role where he ends up getting more time to go against Rocky.
Support Cast: Rocky II really continues to just have the standard supporting cast you would expect to see in a sports film.
Director Review: Sylvester Stallone – Sylvester steps behind the camera for this version of Rocky showing he knows how he wants to tell his story.
Sports: Rocky II has the build up to a big fight which all works for the sports involvement in the story with the boxing looking good too.
Music: Rocky II continues to use the now iconic music being used through the film.
Settings: Rocky II keeps the setting in Philadelphia which shows how one small town man can define the odds.
Suggestion: Rocky II is one to continue watching the series of films but don’t start with this one. (Franchise Fans)
Best Part: Better story.
Worst Part: Paulie gets a small role.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: Yes
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $85 Million
Budget: $7 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 59 Minutes
Tagline: This time he’s fighting not for glory, not for money, but for love…Once again, the Italian Stallion proves he’s got what it takes.
Overall: Great addition to the original story
Rating
