The Return of the Italian Stallion

Rating: 9/10 (11 March 2010)

The original "Rocky" was such a success that a sequel seemed a no-brainer. In 1979, Sylvester Stallone returned to the big-screen as Rocky Balboa, while simultaneously serving as writer and director, in "Rocky II." The film re-united Stallone with the core cast of Burt Young, Burgess Meredith, Carl Weathers and Talia Shire, was a smash success and -- at the time -- the most successful sequel to date. It's easy to see why.
Picking up where the first film left off, "Rocky II" follows the fight between Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa all the way to the hospital, with Creed hungry for a re-match and Balboa announcing his retirement. Things don't go exactly as planned for our hero, however, and as he tries to settle down and live a healthy lifestyle, he only comes to realize that he should embrace his fate, doing the one thing he knows best, ultimately getting back in the ring with his nemesis for Round 2.
While most films end with a happy ending and never deal with the ugly aftermath, "Rocky II" is different in that it finds its titular character broken, beat and bruised, both physically and mentally. Although he gets to marry the love of his life, Adrian, he finds that his initial success is short-lived and struggles to stay afloat. Instead of repeating the formula of the first, this film merely serves as an extension of its predecessor, and in pretty much every respect, succeeds. Stallone is spot-on yet again, and pulling triple duty doesn't seem to phase him in the slightest. "Rocky II" is the perfect companion piece to "Rocky" and much like the first will leave engrossed and on the edge of your seat.