Rocky II (1979)

 

Oftentimes sequels aren't as good as the original as they tend to repeat the same beats, thus ensuring the experience is watered down. Sometimes however, they provide the natural progression for a story. John Carpenter's 'Halloween' 1 and 2 come to mind, but Sylvester Stallone did the same sort of thing with 'Rocky II' and it is once again a great film.

Except maybe for the very final bit, but we'll get to that. 

Literally picking up where the first one left off, we get the final minutes of the Apollo-Rocky fight. But when the fighters are carried off to the hospital, it turns out Apollo is miffed that an unknown was able to keep up with him for 15 rounds. Sure, there won't be a rematch and Rocky plans on retiring. Suddenly he has more money than he has ever had and he feels life is looking up. He marries Adrian, they get a new house and lots of stuff, instantly revealing that Rocky knows absolutely nothing about spending wisely. Buying a house is one thing, but he also spends a lot on various things he doesn't really need. 

Shady businesspeople want him to star in commercials, as they hope to make a lot of money this way, but Rocky can hardly read and can't perform or act in any meaningful way. Things start to get tough again, as the money is flying out the windows. The only light is that Adrian is pregnant. 

Meanwhile, Apollo is fuming at the mail he keeps getting that he threw the fight and he is desperate to prove that he can beat Rocky clean and that the last time was a fluke. Rocky also wants to fight again, but his one eye is practically blind and this would give him some serious trouble in the ring. But when push comes to shove, the fight is on once again, this time it will be extra tough as Apollo is now truly going for it. 

This isn't the 'zero to hero'-story like the first one, no. This is just the normal continuation. It's refreshing to see how Stallone (who now officially directed this) chose to stay true to the character. Rocky is a kid who never had anything and when all of a sudden the gates of monetary heaven open, he has no clue how to deal with it, let alone all the leeches that turn up and want a claim. This film does a very good job at showing Rocky's struggles: he wants to provide for his family, but can't find a decent job; he gets laid off and has to come to terms with the fact that the only thing he's any good at is boxing. But Adrian doesn't want to see him get gravely injured, which makes a lot of sense. 

Carl Weathers once again steals the show as the coky Apollo Creed. He plays the man with such gusto that it feels as though the character isn't that far removed from his real life persona and it is glorious. Everybody loves a cocky bastard and one can't help but feel that a great many modern day fighters have all modeled their brazen personality on Apollo Creed. (Yes, I'm looking - amongst others - at you, Conor McGregor)

The fight at the end is the logical culmination, but it does start to feel less real and hardhitting and in hindsight, you can tell it is heading towards the more over the top spectacle we would still get. And the ending is logical in filmland, but not in reality. It somehow fits and yet makes the story feel less grounded, but details, I suppose. 

Is 'Rocky II' still a great film? Of course. And even more if you like boxing, the Rocky-saga and of course Sylvester Stallone.