by David C. Terr

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Title: Rocky II

Director: Sylvester Stallone

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith

Release Date: June 15, 1979 (USA)

Running Time: 119 min

Genres: Action, Drama, Sport

 

Commentary
Rocky II is the first sequel to the Academy Award winning film Rocky from three years earlier. Though not as great as the original, it's still a great picture. Tension builds between Rocky and Heavyweight Champion Apollo Creed, and ultimately they go at it again. The acting once again is superb, though this movie is more predictable.

Plot Summary
Rocky II picks up right where Rocky left off. Rocky (Stallone) loses his first fight against Heavyweight Champion Apollo Creed (Weathers) in a split decision. Apollo is nevertheless very upset, claiming that Rocky got lucky and that he should've lost big time. He wants very badly to challenge Rocky to a rematch to prove his superiority.

But Rocky lays low for several months. First he marries Adrian (Shire) and the two move into a nice new house. Rocky also buys a new sports car and a dog. But Rocky is unable to find a new job. He tries TV advertising, but can't read the cue cards correctly. He takes a job at a meathouse for awhile but ends up getting laid off. Eventually, begged by his former trainer and egged on by Apollo, he decides to start fighting again, despite his wife's reservations.

Rocky's training goes very badly at first - his heart isn't into it due to Adrian's disapproval. Now pregnant, she overexerts herself at work and ends up in a coma. Very upsettedly, Rocky visits her in the hospital and prays for her recovery. Eventually she does. Shortly afterward she has a son and names him Rocky Junior. Now she wants Rocky to fight the champion and win the championship. With her approval, Rocky is now able to put all his energy into training. Eventually the big day arrives and Rocky puts on a mean fight! (I won't give away any more details!)

Commercial Success
Rocky II was not as big a moneymaker as most of the other Rocky films. The only other Rocky film which grossed less was Rocky V. Here are the figures for each of the Rocky movies:

Rocky (1976)	$117.3 million
Rocky II (1979)	$85 million
Rocky III (1982)	$125 million
Rocky IV (1986)	$127.8 million
Rocky V (1990)	$40.9 million

Movie Clips

Here's the original movie trailer.

 

Here's the training scene.