Film Review: Rocky II (1979)

Many critics of the art-snobbish persuasion dislike Rocky because that film sacrificed realism for the sake of a fairytale about an underdog triumphing against overwhelming odds. This criticism is unfounded, because the protagonist’s triumph is within the realm of what would likely happen in real life and, more importantly, doesn’t represent a triumph in the literal sense or according to Hollywood conventions. Its star and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone recognised that some of the audience saw that as a flaw and something that had to be corrected. The result of his effort was the inevitable 1979 sequel, directed by him under the simple title Rocky II.

The plot continues almost exactly where the previous film ended. Unknown Philadelphia boxer Rocky Balboa (played by Stallone) has endured fifteen gruelling rounds of a match with the world’s heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (played by Carl Weathers) only to lose on points. Rocky is nevertheless happy with his performance and the prize money earned, so he can fulfil the promise given to his girlfriend Adrian (played by Talia Shire) and retire from boxing. In the next few months it turns out that his inexperience with money would leave him penniless again, only this time the situation is more complicated with Adrian, whom he married, becoming pregnant. Again, Apollo Creed inadvertently comes to his rescue. Although he has retained his title, the champion is infuriated with many boxing fans believing that Rocky actually won the fight and decides to prove them wrong by arranging a rematch in order to knock out the Italian Stallion and settle the matter once and for all. Rocky reluctantly agrees and begins another round of gruelling preparations, aware that this time his formidable opponent won’t underestimate him.

Stallone didn’t want to reinvent the wheel with Rocky II. Instead he tried to make his film as similar as possible to the previous one. So, Rocky II not only shares all major characters and cast with Rocky, but also employs a similar directing style and narrative structure. Again, we follow the protagonist and his rather unglamorous lifestyle on the bleak streets of Philadelphia before a deus ex machina allows him another chance for fame and fortune. The only addition to the formula is slightly more family melodrama and an interesting exploration of themes related to the fleeting nature of fame and the tendency of professional sports and show business professionals to quickly squander their hard-earned riches. But Stallone knew what the audience wanted in the end, sacrificing realism for an epic clash in which the final outcome was well known in advance and Rocky’s inevitable triumph was never open to alternative interpretations. Stallone as director, scriptwriter and main star does an adequate job, but Rocky II provides too much of a ‘déjà vu’ feeling to those who had seen the previous film, with the only differences being those that make it exactly like the Hollywood fairytale critics have been complaining about.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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