Rocky II
June 15, 1979 in theaters
After taking Apollo Creed the distance in their first fight, Rocky Balboa struggles to build a life outside the ring while Creed pushes publicly for a rematch to reclaim his reputation. The 1979 sequel follows Rocky as fame, pride, money, and responsibility pull him back toward the championship fight he tried to leave behind.
Cast
Director
TRAILER
QUOTE
"Except this time, I'm gonna try to win."
DID YOU KNOW?
The left-handed fighting stance Rocky adopts was based on real boxing strategy for fighters facing a southpaw opponent.
THE VERDICT
Synthesized from published reviews
A direct continuation that doubles down on the emotional formula of the original without finding much new to say. The training sequences are effective, the climax delivers exactly what the audience came for, and Burgess Meredith remains an irreplaceable presence. It is more interested in satisfying expectations than in complicating them, which is a reasonable choice and a limiting one. Essential viewing for those invested in the arc, somewhat redundant for everyone else.
GALLERY
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