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15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Rocky 2 a Slow Sequel to Rocky, January 4, 2007
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".
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
YO ADRIAN!!!........, March 7, 2003
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
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well done sequel delivers the goods, November 3, 2006
"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.
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