Day 60: June 29th, 2010

Rocky II



Yo, Adrian! I DID IT!

It's those words and that closing scene alone that make me like this entry. The sequel to the successful Rocky is a bit hit and miss, much like the punches thrown in the ring. How do you follow a box office smash that took home Best Picture? While the sequel doesn't live up to the expectations, it does still hold some of that weight the first one had. The emotions are there, but the start of the campy decline is also here.

Rocky gets a rematch in this film and has to struggle supporting his family as well. The story of Rocky didn't need to continue, but it does, many times. Stallone wrote the script again and this time took the directing chair too. He went on to direct 3 other films in this series as well. Kudos to the man, he managed to make Rocky the success it is today.

The fight sequence in this film is more heightened than the last, all to make it more entertaining. It looses it's visceral and emotional weight that it desperately needed. You know Rocky is going to win, he can't lose twice in two films.

Those that expect another Rocky triumph might be a tad disappointed. The film is good enough for a recommendation though, it manages to continue the story well enough and give more insight into the character that is Rocky Balboa. He might look dumb and act dumb, but he has heart and that is what is needed to win over an audience.

6/10