Summary
After Rocky goes the distance with champ Apollo Creed, both try to put the fight behind them and move on. Rocky settles down with Adrian but can't put his life together outside the ring, while Creed seeks a rematch to restore his reputation. Soon enough, the "Master of Disaster" and the "Italian Stallion" are set on a collision course for a climactic battle that is brutal and unforgettable.
Cast
Sylvester Stallone
Robert 'Rocky' Balboa
Talia Shire
Adrianna 'Adrian' Balboa
Burt Young
Paulie Pennino
Carl Weathers
Apollo Creed
Burgess Meredith
Mickey Goldmill
Tony Burton
Tony 'Duke' Evers
Joe Spinell
Tony Gazzo
Leonard Gaines
Agent
Sylvia Meals
Mary Anne Creed
Frank McRae
Meat Foreman (uncredited)
Al Silvani
Cutman (uncredited)
John Pleshette
Director (uncredited)
Stu Nahan
Announcer (uncredited)
Bill Baldwin
Commentator (uncredited)
Jerry Ziesmer
Salesman (uncredited)
Paul Micale
Father Carmine (uncredited)
Earl Montgomery
Employment Manager (uncredited)
Herb Nanas
Employment Manager (uncredited)
Stuart K. Robinson
Johnny (uncredited)
Frank Stallone Jr.
Singer (uncredited)
Charles 'Honi' Coles
Singer (uncredited)
Doug Flor
Singer (uncredited)
Robert Kondyra
Singer (uncredited)
James Zazzarino
Singer (uncredited)
Eddie 'El Annimal' Lopez
Fighter (uncredited)
Taurean Blacque
Lawyer (uncredited)
James J. Casino
Chink's Manager (uncredited)
Shaka Cumbuka
Cornerman (uncredited)
Roberto Durán
Fighter (uncredited)
Lou Fillipo
Referee (uncredited)
Ruth Ann Flynn
Jewelry Sales Lady (uncredited)
Linda Grey
Agent (uncredited)
Grainger Hines
Emergency Room Aide (uncredited)
Garrie Kelly
White Hunter (uncredited)
Ava Lazar
White Hunter (uncredited)
Joseph Letizia
Car Salesman (uncredited)
René Le Vant
Young Lugger (uncredited)
Tawny Little
Reporter (uncredited)
Paul McCrane
Young Patient (uncredited)
Sonny Melendrez
Reporter (uncredited)
Tony Munafo
Boxer (uncredited)
Brent Musburger
Reporter (uncredited)
Ed Ness
Timekeeper (uncredited)
Fred Pinkard
Lawyer (uncredited)
Jane Marla Robbins
Gloria (uncredited)
Hank Rolike
Cornerman (uncredited)
David L. Ross
Reporter (uncredited)
Fran Ryan
Adrian's Nurse (uncredited)
Whitney Rydbeck
Sound Man (uncredited)
Shepherd Sanders
Employment Manager (uncredited)
Jeff Temkin
Ring Announcer (uncredited)
Allan Warnick
Makeup Man (uncredited)
Charles Winkler
Camera Assistant (uncredited)
James Zaza
Emergency Room Reporter (uncredited)
Samuel Davis
Apollo's Bodyguard (uncredited)
Rutanya Alda
Doctor Cooper (uncredited)
Seargeoh Stallone
Rocky Balboa Jr. (uncredited)
Butkus Stallone
Dog (uncredited)
Crew
Director, Screenplay
Sylvester Stallone
Reviews
John Chard
May 23, 2020
8
There's one thing I want you to do for me.
After pushing champ Apollo Creed all the way in their title fight, Rocky Balboa retires from the ring and basks in gallant loser glory. However, he soon finds he is down on his luck and accepts a challenge to a rematch with the ever irate Apollo Creed, something that is much to the chagrin of Adrian.
Judging by the rating and some of the comments on the net, it would seem that I like this sequel more than most, but I honestly feel this is a worthy sequel to the first (and rightly much beloved) film. It still has credibility at its heart (something that would vanish as each further cash in sequel was trundled out), and crucially, it still has enough rags to riches nuance to keep the audience in its palm.
For sure it's guilty of over sentiment at times, Adrian is now the ever loving wife, here pregnant and an authoritative voice in Rocky's life. Yet this continues the emotional heartbeat from the first film, there is, when all is said and done, a quite beautiful romance at the core of the early Rocky movies. Rocky 2 extends that and utilises it to its benefit. When Adrian, after rousing from a coma, tells the big Italian tank to go win, it's akin to some President or Prime Minister declaring "we shall not be defeated", it's inspiring stuff, and of course it sets the wheels in motion for ultimate training and the mother of all punch ups with Apollo Creed. And of course Stallone, again writing and directing, gets to deliver the alternate ending from the first film.
Fanciful and safe it be, but Stallone closed down the 70s with a biff bang ball of strained sinews and heroic testosterone. This is unadulterated entertainment to enjoy with a good pint of blood and a roast ox burning on the spit. 8/10
