Customer Reviews

Rocky II

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This movie had just as much heart as the original. It was just as realistic, just as heartset, and just as expected. A true hero, Rocky follows his true calling, and defends his honor as initiative for this fight, as opposed to winning the title. The film was incredibly emotional through Rocky's eyes, because we see him try to support his family other ways, try to be a good worker, but he knows that his true calling belongs in the ring. The result is what I think to be the most realistic, greatest fight of the series.

"Rocky II" is a worthy sequel, more in line with the subtlety and realistic drama of the first film than the super-heroics of the later sequels (which nevertheless were fun in their own way). Here are a few things I liked about the movie (beware spoilers):

Character-based consequences and outcomes lent credibility to the proceedings. Character and heart helped Rocky "go the distance" in the first film, and kept him on his feet here, too. But, in an intelligent move on the part of the filmmakers, it's made clear that Apollo is still the superior, more skillful fighter and would have won again this time. Apollo's downfall here is that he ignores his trainer's advice to just stay out of Rocky's way in the later rounds and win again on a decision. But, no, Apollo's temper and ego make him get in close and try to go for a knock-out, which of course gives Rocky the opportunity to try for the same thing.

I liked how the movie wasn't afraid to be low key and maybe even a little boring in the earlier going, as we see Rocky struggle with finding employment and living a quiet domestic life following the big fight at the end of the first film. As both the audience and Rocky's wife Adrian eventually comes to realize, however, maybe a quiet, normal life isn't for everyone.

While Apollo plays to the cameras and resorts to some unsavory publicity tricks to lure Rocky back into the ring, he's never reduced to the role of a one-note villain. You can understand why he's frustrated and wants closure after the unfinished business of the first fight. All along, though, an unspoken rapport with Rocky, a level of respect for him, is evident. Apollo's alliance with Rocky in the broader but still very entertaining "Rocky III" is therefore pretty believable, as the groundwork is laid here.

Like the first film, this one has lots of great little moments: Rocky's wince-inducing attempts to film the aftershave commercial, learning to be quick by chasing the chicken around the yard, and his stopping for a quick blessing at the church right before his rematch with Apollo. But the movie knows when a big moment is the thing that's called for, too: witness the great training session with all the kids following Rocky up the Art Museum steps and the numerous great moments during the big fight, for example.

Like the first film, and the Rocky character himself, "Rocky II" has plenty of heart, resulting is a sequel that's worth your time. Pop this into your DVD player (after watching the first film, of course) and sit back and enjoy.

This review refers to the MGM/UA VHS edition of "Rocky II".....

Sylvester Stallone once again, brings us another feel good story in this first of four sequels to "Rocky". Even if you don't like boxing(and yes there are some of us that could do without it), you gotta like these Rocky flicks. This one, with the entire cast reuniting, is nearly as good as the first.

"Rocky II" picks up where "Rocky" left off. Apollo Creed(Carl Weathers) and Rocky(Sylvester Stallone) have beaten each other to a pulp. Apollo, on a split decision, has been declared the champ once again. Poor Rock's injuries are so bad that the Doctors strongly advise him not to fight anymore. He and Adrian(Talia Shire) marry and decide to live a normal life. The Rock tries his hand at acting in commercials, this doesn't work out(not a big surprise there), can't get hired at an office job, and finally ends up working at a meat packing plant where he is promptly laid off. The pregnant Adrian becomes the bread winner and Rocky is feeling very unmanly.

Creed, wanting a re-match, taunts Rocky out into the public and Rocky takes the challenge, against the wishes of Adrian, of course. Mickey(Burgess Meredith), after much coaxing decides to train him, but alas, The Rock's heart is not in it. What will it take for him to be the old Rocky we know and love?

Of course there are the wonderful scenes of Rocky training and getting pumped up for the fight, with all the great "Rocky" music that goes along with it. The intense bout with Creed is outstanding. Can Rocky go the distance this time...well...you know.....

The lines are priceless...after Rocky gets out of the hospital, a reporter asks.." Hey Rocky, did ya get any brain damage?", and Rocky's answer..."Yo, I don't see any.." There's a ton of those. Oh and don't forget the irrepressible Pauly(Burt Young), he's back too and in rare form!

Now I know, most everybody has seen this, and I didnt really need to tell you what it's about. It's just a little refresher on how good these movies make us feel. I watch them often and always find myself smiling. It's a series to be enjoyed by the whole family(if you haven't seen"Rocky V", don't stress over it) and for future generations to come.

The VHS is a a pretty good picture and the sound is in Dolby Surround(stereo), and also fairly decent.

"Yo Adrian...I DID IT!"(Rocky)......Laurie

After the runaway success of the original "Rocky" film, Sylvester Stallone reprises his role as the underdog pugilist Rocky Balboa, as well as step behind the camera to guide the inspirational fighter on to his next challenge.

For a basic plot summary, "Rocky II" begins right where the first one leaves off. Though both fighters, after prolonged hospital stays, swear that a rematch will not be forthcoming, both Balboa and Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) again step into the ring faced with different pressures. For Creed, it is the reputations he gained as having "lost the fight but won the decision". For Rocky, domestic bliss after marriage to Adrian (Talia Shire) soon turns into stark reality when he is unable to hold down a steady job.

The thing this film really does right is follow a very solid, down-to-earth script. Whereas the emotional drama of the first film is tough to match, part two comes pretty close. Though action fans may be put off by the slow-to-develop plot, it does a good job of developing the main characters and pushing the story forward.

Up until the final 10-15 minutes of this movie, it was a solid 4-stars all the way. However, an incredibly unrealistic final fight scene really took me out of the whole experience. Based on that letdown alone, a 3.5-star rating would be more accurate on my part.

Overall, "Rocky II" is a solid installment in this quality franchise that will keep you engrossed in the emotional storylines surrounding the title character. The action may wane quite a bit in the early goings, but considering the cartoonish style that the next two films bring, I prefer the slower-paced drama any day of the week.

Rocky II (1979)-Rocky does it again in this great five star sequel. Made with many of the production values of the original and as entertaining as humanly possible.

I have seen Rocky 1 to Rocky 4. So far, this is the best Rocky film. I'm a big fan of baseball, and I watched this movie the night before a game. After watching this film, I was pumped. The sound track is amazing, and you can almost FEEL the tension, FEEL the sweat running down your face, you can feel it, which is why this will always be one of the greatest films ever. I say that, even though I don't like boxing. But after watching the Rocky films, my life has changed. It's a very deep film, not grey at all, and it beats "The Champ" by a long shot. Before you watch this film, you should watch "Rocky" first, but this is a must see, for a lot of people. It's a lot more pumping than the first Rocky though, and that's part of the reason I like t so much...

"There's one more thing I want you do for me."
"Yeah? What?"
"Win. Win!"
"What are we waitin' for!" - Adrian gives Rocky her seal of approval to go the distance, again in "Rocky II"

"Rocky II" is one of those rarities of a sequel - it expands the world of & depth of characters created & introduced in the preceding film, instead of being a rehash of the first film. "II" is crowd pleasing hit, that will have you cheering for Rocky right to the final bell.

Picking up seconds after the first film, "Rocky II" has "The Italian Stallion" whisked to the hospital for eye surgery sustained from the fight with Apollo Creed. Creed is also there & automatically wants a rematch. But, with a few broken ribs & bruisies that he recieved, special delivery, from Rocky he ain't going nowhere. In the early morning hours following the fight Rocky, in a wheelchair, wheels himself to Apollo's room & asks one simple question. Did he get Apollo's best? Apollo replies with a distant yes.

Over the next few weeks, Rocky's life changes. He asks Adrian to marry him & she accepts. He spends his winnings on a new house. Adrian announces she's pregnant. But, the one thing that Rocky can't get is a decent job. Agreeing with Adrian to stop boxing, he tries everything.
Things change, when Apollo Creed starts hounding The Rock to the breaking point. Rocky agrees to a rematch, against the wishes of Adrian. With Adrian not happy with her husband's decision she decides to help out financially & work at the pet store she worked at in the first film. With a lot of stress & Adrian not wanting him to fight, Rocky's heart isn't into training. Tragedy strikes when Adrian goes into premature labor. The baby makes the delivery (Robert "Rocky" Balboa Jr.) but, Adrian slips into a coma. Now Rocky has to make a choice - sit by his wife & hopes she wakes up or train for the fight of his life. When Adrian does come to, the choice is made for him.

"Rocky II" is one of the better films in the saga. Stallone's direction is character driven. There are quite a few memorable scenes including the films opening, Rocky & Adrian's wedding & why Rocky never uses condominiums, Mickey's confession to Rocky in church, & the usual training montage & fight at the end of the film.

As for the DVD it can't make it through the first round. "Rocky II" is presented in the widescreen format on side 1 (this is the first time its presented in this format on video) with the full screen option on side 2. Audio is Dolby Digital surround (not 5.1) with a trailer for a special feature. The rerelease is in widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1, & zero for special features.

Rocky II is the best in the Rocky movie sequels.

Released 3 years after the Oscar winning original Rocky, the movie takes place right after the exciting fight between our hero, Rocky, and the champion of the world Apollo Creed, played by Carl Weathers.
The difference between Rocky in the first and Rocky here is that now Rocky has become famous for going the distance against the champ, recieves a nice chunk of cash for the fight which he spends on a new house and unnecessary clothes and items, and is getting offers to appear in commercials, which he does. However, the fact that he cannot read results in the rejection from the director of the advertisements, rejection from employers to hire him, and his failure to obtain an 'office job'. Rocky finds himself struggling to keep a job, especially after his now wife Adrian, played by Talia Shire, becomes pregnant. Rocky finally returns to work for Mickey, his trainer, in the gym where Rocky has now become 'royalty'.
In the original Rocky, Rocky had to deal with being a nobody struggling to make a voice for himself, in Rocky II, he has to deal with swallowing his pride and keeping his head up despite the lack of a decent job and a humiliating ordeal of holding the bucket for rookie boxers to spit in. In the meantime, the equally proud Apollo will not put up with his fans' harrassments and accusations that the fight against Rocky was fixed and that he has lost his edge. Apollo determines to prove to the world that Rocky going the distance with him was a matter of chance and challenges Rocky to fight him a second time. The rest is history!

Sylvester Stallone's script of Rocky II is equally powerful to that of Rocky, only the thrills are more vibrant in the original. All the actors who lit the screen in Rocky return to the sequel. Director John G. Avildsen, who earned an Oscar for his work on Rocky, does not return. It's none other than Stallone himself who directs this one. He will also go on to direct Rocky III and Rocky IV. Avildsen would return to the director's seat in Rocky V. Stallone does this movie justice.
Recommended

A

That's right. In this action packed movie, Rocky gets involved in another rematch against Apollo Creed; the fighter he lost to in Rocky I.
This movie was much more fun for me to watch and enjoy because it had Rock-o's awesome montage, better than the last one. Bill Conti's music is something unbelieveable as he sucks you in the movie as soon as the toon shoots out of the TV's speakers.
Rocky II may be the best of all Rocky movies. I like the fight scene in this flick because it has so much more intensity in it. Towards the end, when the King of Sting (Apollo) and the Italion Stallion (Rocky)decend towards the floor and slowly try to make it back up to stand and win...forget about it! I WENT nuts saying
"Rocky, get up!"

THIS movie is great, just buy it!.

Released in 1979, Rocky II picks up where the original "Rocky' leaves off, the movie beginning with the last round of the first fight with Apollo Creed. This second installment of the 6-part Rocky series is very slow to develop. The audience is made to wait the entire film to see the much-anticipated climax where Creed and Rocky square-off for their long-awaited rematch.

In essence, this film is a remake of the original "Rocky" movie, as it has all the same elements: Rocky courting (and this time marrying) Adrian, Rocky's passionate heart-felt love for Adrian, Rocky getting into fighting shape under the firey guidance of Mickey his trainer, and finally the epic fight against Creed. While the fight with Creed is exciting, the prelude leading up to the fight is at times tedious and overdrawn. So while the film is essentially another "Rocky", it fails to capture the audience's passion like the original.

Bill Conti, the musical genius of the original "Rocky", returns with much of the same upbeat inspiring music, adding a long "Vigil" piece, where Rocky is waiting and praying for his stricken wife, Adrian, to recover from a coma. (Adrian goes into premature labor, gives birth to a son, and lose so much blood, she falls into a deep coma). Conti's "Vigil" is a beautiful and haunting instrumental piece that depicts Rocky at Adrian's bedside, praying at the hospital Chapel, and waiting with trainer Mickey for Adrian to get better. While many viewers will find this tedious, and perhaps outright boring, I found it to be a further character insight into the man, Rocky Balboa. He is about to fight Apollo Creed for the heavyweight championship of the world, and yet, he is ready to give it all up because of his intense loyalty and love for Adrian. His manager, Mickey (played again by the cantankerous Burgess Meredith), begs him to train, but Rocky is so emotionally empty without Adrian, that he cannot possibly leave her side. Adrian finally revives, and Rocky tearfully and tenderly tells her, "I knew you'd come back to me." Despite its corniness, I still found it a touching tear-jerking scene. In gratitude for her revival, Rocky promises Adrian he will give up fighting forever if that will please her. Instead, Adrian tells the Rock the one thing she wants most of all: "Win, win!".

With Adrian behind him, Rocky eagery submits to Mickey's training regimen, and in a replay of the first film, Rocky returns to fighting shape while Conti's "Gonna Fly Now" plays in the background.

The fight with Creed is brutal, with Creed battering the outmatched Balboa. Despite taking a terrible beating, Rocky's indominable fighting spirit cannot be bent or broken, and he gets up off the mat repeatedly thoughout the fight. Going into the final 15th round, and far behind on points, Creed and Balboa touch gloves in the center of the ring, and Creed demands, "You're going down!". Rocky, unwavering, unbroken, and defiant, simply replys through broken and swollen lips, "No way".

The fight has a surprise ending that keeps fans wondering who will win up until the very last second, Exact details will not be revealed, but the insightful reader will realize there is a Rocky 3,4,5, and 6, and should be able to ascertain the ending.

Rocky II follows the formula of the original "Rocky", but with a less satisfying effect. It is certainly entertaining, but does not come close to the original offering. Thus, like most sequels, it falls short of the glory of the inspiring original. I still recommend it, but not nearly as highly as the 1976 award-winning "Rocky".

Jim "Konedog" Koenig

p.s. I took a girlfriend to see Rocky II in May of 1979 in Bemidji, Minnesota. It was our first date. I ended up marrying her in 1982, had 6 kids, and we have been together ever since. Like Rocky, I don't know what I would do without my "Adrian".