Welcome back to “Rocky Week,” where we get to the A+ sequel, “Rocky II,” released in 1979. Everyone was surprised when the first movie was such a big hit, the same way Rocky raises to the challenge of impossible odds. The movie was a financial success and won the “Best Picture Award.” James Rolfe said that this is “perfectly fitting the definition of sleeper hit.” Now Sylvester Stallone is writing, starring, and directing this movie, and would be in control for the next three sequels. Stallone is the heart of the story and knows his character the best.
The movie picks up exactly where the first one left off. Apollo is furious over the results of the match, even though he won by split decision. Since Rocky did so well in the match, which no boxer ever went the distance with Apollo, he demands a rematch. Rocky says that he is retired since the doctors say that Rocky’s eye has been damaged from the match and is blind in that eye. Instead, Rocky and Adrian get married, and Rocky uses the profits from the match to buy stuff for both of them. Rocky buys a new car, jacket, jewelry, a house, which he doesn’t have to see the upstairs since he is reckless and blinded by his own happiness and positive outlook. It’s the opposite from the first movie since he was poor in that one, and here we see what happens when he has money.
However, Rocky realizes that he needs a job. He tries acting in commercials but that doesn’t work out since he can’t read due to his blind eye. He tries getting an office job which he doesn’t get, but lands a part-time job at Paulie’s meat factory, but gets laid off. When we see these relatable, everyday struggles, it makes the movie very charming. This movie is telling the story of Rocky trying to get back on his feet.
Since Apollo is taunting Rocky in the papers and on TV to rematch him over the anger that people have when they complain the match was rigged and since Rocky went the distance, and with Mickey constantly insisting he rematches Apollo, Rocky agrees. This makes sense since Rocky needs to make money, despite Adrian telling Rocky that she thinks he shouldn’t rematch Apollo. However, this will be difficult for Rocky since he has a bad eye, and Mickey has to wear a hearing aid. Rocky is a southpaw and needs to learn how to fight with his right hand due to his eye.
Unfortunately, Rocky is unable to focus on the training since Adrian is pregnant and he is really worried for her, which is understandable. She is even trying to help out by working more at the pet store, even though she shouldn’t because she is expecting their child. Then Adrian falls into a coma, and that really makes Rocky lose his focus. I won’t spoil the movie, but you should know after seeing the first movie that it will work out for him in the end.
Even though there is a lot of drama going on, there also is some humor to keep the movie light-hearted at times. This is probably the funniest in the series, like the part where Rocky tells Adrian that sometimes he looks at their dog and he doesn’t look like a normal canine, or when Rocky is trying to catch some chickens and says he feels like a “Kentucky Fried Idiot.”
Burgess Meredith really picks it up in this movie with all his grouchy, bitter yells at Rocky, making him one of the most memorable characters in the movie. Mickey also appears at the weirdest moments. Speaking of which, Apollo’s wife, Mary Anne Creed, played by Sylvia Meals, makes an appearance and also Stallone’s real-life son, Seargeoh, plays the baby, but is uncredited. Paul J. Micale plays Father Carmine, the priest Rocky goes to for prayers before the match.
Now I can’t talk about a “Rocky” movie without talking about the training montage. In this one, we get two montages back-to-back to Gonna Fly Now. Unlike the first one where we see him run alone, this time children are running with him. Where all these neighborhood kids come from is beyond me.
The last thing I have to mention is the rematch against Apollo. James Rolfe admits that even though this is a great movie, “the fight is a little hokey.” What he means to say is that Rocky just allows Apollo to punch him repeatedly in the face, and Rocky doesn’t even block it. The emotional impact is still in this fight. You still cheer for Rocky since a lot is at stake here, especially since he has a bad eye. This is also the first Rocky movie that uses the slow-motion shots during the fight.
Overall, it’s a sequel that stays faithful to the original; it furthers the characters and moves the storyline forward instead of backwards or repeating the same story. This is a perfect continuation and maybe the best sequel, but not as good as the first, but that is rare.
I still say that you should check this one out. It’s a good movie and I think that it was nice to tell the next story.
Stay tuned tomorrow when things really pick up with next installment in “Rocky Week.”
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