Stallone is perfecting the 80s action formula

Rating: 8/10 (27 June 2014)

This starts with the end of the first movie. Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) wins the fight. Both he and Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) are sent to the hospital. Rocky wants to retire. Apollo wants a rematch. Rocky marries Adrian (Talia Shire). Rocky spends all his money and can't find another job. He's back to hauling meat. Adrian is pregnant. Rocky loses his job. He reconnects with trainer Mickey (Burgess Meredith) trying to fight again but his right eye is no good anymore. Apollo is under public pressure and personal pride for a rematch. Apollo starts taunting Rocky until he agrees to a fight.
It's more of a prototype of the 80s action movie. Stallone is perfecting the formula here. The pace is faster. The slower 70s style of the original is being squeezed. The training is lined up. Rocky is even chasing chickens. The fight is longer and better shot. This time is all Stallone and he does it without sacrificing the emotional content. He is a true renaissance man.