Rocky II (1979)

Preceded by: Rocky (1976)
Succeeded by: Rocky III (1982)

	Director: Sylvester Stallone	COUNTRY USA GENRE Drama/Sports NORWEGIAN TITLE Rocky II RUNNING TIME 119 minutes
	Producer: Irwin Winkler Robert Chartoff
	Screenwriter: Sylvester Stallone

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Rocky Balboa	Sylvester Stallone
Adrian	Talia Shire	½
Paulie	Burt Young
Apollo Creed	Carl Weathers	½
Mickey	Burgess Meredith

Review

The problem with the first sequel in the Rocky series isn't mainly that it's the original's identical twin, going to desperate lengths in order to bring Rocky down from the heights he reached at the end of Rocky and back to his original down-and-out level – just to make him the underdog and rehash the ascent all over again. In fact, we might have accepted all that, if it hadn't been for the lack of skill with which it is all executed. In his second outing in the director's chair, Stallone reveals his inaptitude all too clearly. The film is bumpy, childish, and corny. The acting has all the weaknesses the original largely concealed – mainly due to a lesser script and weaker dialogue. An important character like Apollo Creed is reduced to a spoof in Rocky II. And Rocky Balboa, while still a charming and naïve man, no longer har the vitality and depth that made him special three years prior.

That's not to say that Rocky II hasn't got anything to offer. For all its silliness, the film isn't exploitative. It has a message, even if it's a sophomoric one. And it has the feel-goodness that characterized Rocky, even if it's somewhat restricted by the sequel's inferior quality. Unfortunately, the fighting is notably less realistic and dynamic than in most other entries in the series. That sound editing was certainly never going to win anyone an Oscar.