Rocky II

Dramas usually don’t get sequels let alone five. The fact that this franchise is in the sports genre makes it possible. Even though I like the first film better, “Rocky II” is a successful sequel and it is my favorite film from 1979. Stallone is the director and so his vision is maintained from script to screen. All the cast members return and we also get to experience much about what we loved in the first film. However, the drama outbalances the action. One could argue that the amount of action versus drama in "Rocky II" was the same as the preceding film but an original film has originality.

The recap of the concluding events of the first film may seem cliché today but it worked quite well in the late 70's. Considering that “Rocky II” picks up exactly from where the first film ended, we need to put ourselves as the audience back in that moment. It has become a staple of the Rocky Anthology to show events from the previous film. One might ask what changed Apollo’s mind on the way to the hospital about a rematch. In reality while writing the first film, Stallone could not have imagined the success that it would achieve and therefore had Apollo affirm to Rocky at the end of their first fight that Rocky's shot at the title was truly once in a lifetime. This was done for dramatic purposes. When the demand for a sequel arose, a rematch was practically the only climax that would satisfy fans and so Stallone has Apollo do a 180. For the sake of justification, maybe Apollo's head cleared enough for him to see exactly what a club fighter accomplished at his expense. The fact that the first fight ended with a split decision could also have changed Apollo's mind. This film shows Rocky trying to deal with his new fame, family life and trying to make a living. It wouldn’t be a wedding if there wasn’t some music and considering that this is Rocky’s wedding, who better than the “neighbourhood jukebox” led by Stallone’s real life brother? I also like how Rocky concludes his shopping spree at the pet shop. The stickball scene is really fun to watch but honestly, "Rocky II" is the most depressing film in the saga. I wish to point out that there is a difference between sad and depressing. A sad movie is more touching and heart-filled but a depressing movie makes you feel hopeless and unhappy for those on screen. Rocky feels kind of stupid doing commercials. He wants a job that he likes. The meat packing plant doesn’t make him happy either but at least he is supporting his new family. When he gets let go, he starts to think that fighting is the only option. Both Adrian and Mickey try to talk him out of it. Working at the gym and Adrian back at the pet shop begins to torment him. Gazzo may not be Rocky’s boss anymore but he cares about him a lot. I am glad that he is back in this movie by the way.

Apollo won’t let go of the rematch idea. One of my favourite scenes in the whole movie, and maybe the franchise, is the one in Apollo’s office. His reputation is on the line. No one likes to be called a fraud and so we can understand Apollo’s drive. Apollo however sets himself up as the bad guy because of his pride and thus, he looses his title by the end of the film. Tony “Duke” tries to talk him out of it as he can see things better with Apollo being blind with pride. Apollo’s taunts also get to Rocky to the point that he can’t take it. It becomes apparent that Rocky must fight. I think Mickey changes his mind because he has seen Rocky’s new undignified life and having trained him once before to improve himself, he feels he has to do it again. Apollo also has no right to insult Rocky. It is the only solution to Rocky’s problems. Rocky isn’t just fighting for dignity; he is also fighting to give his family the things they deserve. Rocky may not have the perfect tools to fight but Mickey knows that there are other tools besides eyesight such as confusing the opponent, strategy and speed. In reality, the reason Rocky learns to fight right handed was because of a training injury suffered by Stallone during production. Without Adrian on his side however, Rocky hasn’t the heart to train properly. Adrian is now a part of his heart. She doesn’t want to see him get hurt. Paulie in a way does help her realize that Rocky will get hurt if she keeps making Rocky feel guilty. The sequence with Adrian in the hospital is really tough for all of us to watch. Rocky can’t do anything but wait and pray. The fact that Mickey comes to see Rocky in the hospital chapel shows that he didn’t mean the things he said about quitting. He stays with Rocky and Adrian in the hospital because he does care and it took this accident for him to show it. If Rocky is going to quit, he will quit alongside him. Once Adrian wakes up, she changes her mind because she realizes the truth. Paulie and Rocky were right about Rocky being destined to be a fighter. Also, Rocky will get hurt more without her support. Meanwhile, Rocky is ready to give up fighting for good for Adrian’s sake. He doesn’t care about what other people say now that Adrian is awake. To have Adrian return that loving gesture by giving him her blessing to fight, there is nothing to hold back Rocky’s heart.

We get not one but two awesome training montages. Hearing the start of “Gonna Fly Now” is a cool moment. The marketplace goes nuts when Rocky runs through it. The run up the steps of the art museum is never more powerful with a crowd of kids behind Rocky. Getting extras for the first film was tough because of the low budget but there are no such problems now as 800 children were used in this scene. The cinematography of that scene is awesome as well. Father Carmine is a great new character. I like the scene where he blesses Rocky before the fight. The other scenes leading up to the fight are great as well. We have the same announcers and referee as the first film so that is nice. “Rocky II” begins a tradition of having jokes before the fight. My favourite in this movie is Rocky’s line “I was hoping he wouldn’t show.” The end of the second round shows Apollo that Rocky is no fluke. Apollo won’t give up either obviously. Stallone as director is able to give us a better montage than that of the first film in portraying the many rounds of the fight. Bill Conti’s score is also great in that sequence. I saw the third film before this one and so it was great to see how we got to the moment when Rocky and Apollo are barely able to stand looking like they have been through a war once again. Sure it may be too extravagant to have Rocky and Apollo so tired & beat up but it is fun and it wasn't extravagant back in the late 70's. The only thing that seems to be working for Rocky in the fight is that he is in shape and able to go the distance once again. His eye is doing fine but Apollo is so bent on revenge that Rocky’s surprise switch back to fighting southpaw is the only way to win. Rocky says he doesn’t want to switch but I think that is for the audience’s sake. We must also be surprised so as to be entertained. The idea that both fighters fall down is quite genius. No one expects that. It is spelt out clearly for us that Rocky must get up first because if neither gets up, it is a draw in favour of Apollo. Rocky’s victory speech is a great and powerful moment when you look at the whole series.

Contrast makes for a better movie, as was the case in the first film. All the depressing scenes earlier in “Rocky II” make for an awesome conclusion to the film but the balance was still off. Rocky once again has defied the odds. He went from unemployed to champion of the world. For Stallone, "Rocky" made him famous but "Rocky II" made him rich. This film really did well in capitalizing on the blockbuster era that was coming into bloom around 1979. People were waiting for the next Star Wars film and so to help pass the time, audiences treated themselves to the rematch between Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed. The ending is such that it demands another sequel and that film is so much better in terms of drama and action.

4 Stars