familiar story that entertains

Rating: Null/10 (14 March 2002)

Bold, pumped-up sequel finds Stallone having just shocked the world by becoming the new heavyweight champion. He quickly earns fame and fortune as the champion but also gets a big head, loses the edge that drove him to victory in the first place, and eventually drops the title in a humiliating defeat to the trash talking and robust challenger Clubber Lang (Mr. T). In order to redeem himself and reclaim the "eye of the tiger," Rocky acquires the services of former rival and recently retired ex-champion Apollo Creed to train him for a do-or-die rematch. We've seen it before, but it works thanks to a gritty and energetic story that packs a much harder punch than the previous predecessor. Stallone is in good form and the finale is over-the-top. ***