← Back to Reviews
in
I enjoyed this more than the first film, and I actually think it's a better film, if not a better script, which it really can't be if you're basing that criteria on originality alone (although even that got questioned and settled..ugh).
Rocky II tells the story a bit more, and honestly, if they had stopped here, I could see Rocky II being much like The Godfather II. Yes, it's a sequel, but it has merit to be. The continuation of the Rocky story has him earning more money and getting a better place, but it also focuses on more of the same tender romance that made part one work so well. The level of heartache in this film can be unbearable, especially if you've experienced anything like it in real life. Other moments of heart are visits to the enemy's hospital room to check and see if Rocky's opponent really gave him "his all".
This movie runs a bit lengthy but I didn't mind. It would have been a perfect bookend to the saga had it stopped right here. Instead we got the updated trendy Rocky III, which wasn't horrible, but contained one of the most indulgent scenes of dialog involving Talia Shire that ran about 2 minutes past its welcome. Not to mention the fact that it was an unnecessary film. But it's fun at the movies, so what?
Anyway, back to Rocky II. No, wait. Rocky IV was an awesome movie, but again, it wasn't necessary. No, wait. Actually, it was necessary. Imagine what world we would be in without it?
Rocky II was the last "real" Rocky film. All of the rest were cash ins, and to be frank, even this film was a cash in, but the script was good, the film was excellent (much better camera work, sound, editing, budget$$$), and the performances were all great, especially Burgess Meredith who should have won an Oscar for his portrayal of Mickey, exceeding his chops even more in this chapter.
Rocky II (1979)
Dir: Sylvester Stallone
Dir: Sylvester Stallone
I enjoyed this more than the first film, and I actually think it's a better film, if not a better script, which it really can't be if you're basing that criteria on originality alone (although even that got questioned and settled..ugh).
Rocky II tells the story a bit more, and honestly, if they had stopped here, I could see Rocky II being much like The Godfather II. Yes, it's a sequel, but it has merit to be. The continuation of the Rocky story has him earning more money and getting a better place, but it also focuses on more of the same tender romance that made part one work so well. The level of heartache in this film can be unbearable, especially if you've experienced anything like it in real life. Other moments of heart are visits to the enemy's hospital room to check and see if Rocky's opponent really gave him "his all".
This movie runs a bit lengthy but I didn't mind. It would have been a perfect bookend to the saga had it stopped right here. Instead we got the updated trendy Rocky III, which wasn't horrible, but contained one of the most indulgent scenes of dialog involving Talia Shire that ran about 2 minutes past its welcome. Not to mention the fact that it was an unnecessary film. But it's fun at the movies, so what?
Anyway, back to Rocky II. No, wait. Rocky IV was an awesome movie, but again, it wasn't necessary. No, wait. Actually, it was necessary. Imagine what world we would be in without it?
Rocky II was the last "real" Rocky film. All of the rest were cash ins, and to be frank, even this film was a cash in, but the script was good, the film was excellent (much better camera work, sound, editing, budget$$$), and the performances were all great, especially Burgess Meredith who should have won an Oscar for his portrayal of Mickey, exceeding his chops even more in this chapter.