Rocky II

Rocky II (1979)

Runtime: 119 minutes

Directed by: Sly Stallone

Starring: The usual Rocky series regulars

From: United Artists

In this movie's universe, both Joe Spinell and the character he portrays in this series (Tony Gazzo) exist, and that is a great thing.

A few years ago I reviewed the OG Rocky film-that is a classic and it's been watched a few times by me, including once years ago on the big screen. Talk about a perfect underdog story which still inspires many people today-a poor schlub gets a once in a lifetime opportunity by getting to fight against the Heavyweight boxing champion but the actual fight is a small piece of the puzzle-the rest is Rocky Balboa rising up from the lower-class background he was resigned to for years because he did not believe in himself and dealing with a disparate cast of pals and those that doubt him, he becomes a person almost impossible to root against.

I hadn't seen any of the sequels in many years so when I realized that (at least for now) the first five films in the franchise are for FREE on Google Play and YouTube, it was an opportune time for me to finally talk about them here. In this film, Rocky retires so he can marry Adrian and start a family. However, as he's a high school dropout and isn't too good at reading, finding a regular job is difficult and he is like most people when they suddenly acquire a lot of cash for the first time, meaning it's spent foolishly. A commercial suit doesn't go well-I laughed when a chair emblazoned with “Joe Spinell” is in the background of one scene-it is great how he exists in a movie where there is a character played by Spinell. Meanwhile, Apollo Creed gets the late 70's equivalent of YouTube or Twitter comments that accuse him of either losing the fight or the whole thing being staged, so he is desperate for a rematch.

While there is a soap opera-esque subplot that takes up some time, otherwise this is an engrossing look at how the first fight changed both participants and despite their cries at the end of the bout about there being no rematch, of course there had to be one. Thankfully this was not just a retread of the original story... the main players continue their growth, including Adrian. In my review for Rocky I really should have said more about her... about how Talia Shire was great in the role and how she also changed, from a meek and mousy little girl to someone a lot more confident.


The rematch is for certain different also, as is the score from Bill Conti. Elements of it are definitely dated as being from the era of disco, but I am fine with that. This isn't wacky like III or IV and isn't a misfire like V, but II is still a solid motion picture that sure as hell is still touching for those that need a lift or some encouragement.