Rocky II

Sylvester Stallone Director: Sylvester Stallone, John G. Avildsen, Irwin Winkler, Robert Chartoff Sylvester Stallone

Overview

"By concentrating on character development with this first of several sequels to his Oscar-winning smash Rocky (1976), writer/director Sylvester Stallone earned critical praise that would desert him with the boxing saga's shallower subsequent chapters. Stallone returns as Rocky Balboa, a Philadelphia prize fighter enjoying his brief fame after nearly defeating world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). Offered lucrative product endorsement opportunities, Rocky's limited education and lack of sophistication quickly become an impediment to his future success, causing him embarrassment and his pregnant wife Adrian (Talia Shire) a great deal of financial concern. Meanwhile, Creed is brooding over his near-loss to a fighter he considers an amateur far beneath him and decides to goad a reluctant Rocky into a high-profile rematch. With the family resources dwindling and his pride wounded, Rocky decides that fighting is all he knows and makes the fateful decision to climb back into the ring once more with Creed, despite assurances from all concerned that he will damage himself irreparably. Although their first meeting was simply an exhibition fight, the second Balboa-Creed face-off is an officially sanctioned battle for Creed's championship belt."

Product Details

Release Date:	02/08/2005
UPC:	0027616915146
Original Release:	1979
Rating:	PG
Source:	Mgm (Video & Dvd)
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:59:00
Sales rank:	3,758

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Sylvester Stallone	Rocky Balboa,Singer,Composer
Talia Shire	Adrian
Burt Young	Paulie
Carl Weathers	Apollo Creed
Burgess Meredith	Mickey
Tony Burton	Apollo'sTrainer
Joe Spinell	Gazzo
Leonard Gaines	Agent
Sylvia Meals	Mary Anne Creed
Frank McRae	Meat Foreman
Al Silvani	Cutman
John Pleshette	Director
Stu Nahan	Announcer
Bill Baldwin	Commentator
Jerry Ziesmer	Salesman
Paul Micale	Father Carmine
Earl Montgomery	Employment Manager
Herb Nanas	Employment Manager
Stuart K. Robinson	Johnny
Charles Coles	Singer,Singer
Doug Flor	Singer
Robert Kondyra	Singer
James Zazzarino	Singer
Eddie Lopez	Fighter
Taurean Blacque	Lawyer
James Casino	Chink's Manager,Chink's Manager
Samuel Davis	Apollo's Bodyguard
Ruth Ann Flynn	Jewelry Sales Lady
Linda Grey	Agent
Bill Baldwin Sr.	Actor
Al Salvani	Actor
Shaka Cumbuka	Cornerman
Roberto Durán	Fighter
Jane Marla Robbins	Gloria
Lou Fillipo	l'arbitre
Thayer David	Actor
Jimmy Gambina	Actor,Actor
George Memmoli	Actor
Caro Jones	Actor
Michael McLean	Actor
David Thayer	Actor
Earl Montgomery, Jr.	Actor
Lou Filippo	Referee
Grainger Hines	Emergency Room Aide
Ava Lazar	White Hunter
Rene LeVant	Young Lugger
Paul McCrane	Young Patient
Sonny Melendrez	Reporter
Tony Munafo	Boxer
Hank Rolike	Cornerman
Fran Ryan	Adrian's Nurse
Whitney Rydbeck	Sound Man
Shepherd Sanders	Employment Manager
Jeff Temkin	Ring Announcer
Allan Warnick	Makeup Man
Charles Winkler	Camera Assistant
Michael Dorn	Bit
Allison Caine	Voices
Bill Conti	Composer

Technical Credits

Sylvester Stallone

John Coffey	Sound Effects
Gordon Davidson	Sound Effects
Ken Dufva	Sound Effects
Rebecca Einfeld	Sound Effects
Gary S. Gerlich	Sound Effects
Sylvester Stallone	Director,Screenwriter
Jimmy Nickerson	Stunts
Arthur Chobanian	Producer
John G. Avildsen	Director
Irwin Winkler	Director,Producer
Robert Chartoff	Director,Producer,Producer
Michael Glick	Executive Producer
Michael McLean	Casting
Joy Todd	Casting

Editorial Reviews

Released in 1979, Rocky II arguably represents the beginning of '80s film. The original Rocky was a welcome turn from the nihilistic storylines that dominated early and mid-'70s American films. Sure, Rocky does not have such a fairy tale life that he wins the title, but he does accomplish his dream to go the distance with the champ, and he gets the woman of his (realistically modest) dreams. The film's first sequel represents Stallone's abandonment of personal cinema and his acceptance of what would become '80s rah-rah, boom-boom blockbuster cinema. While the first two thirds of the film expand on the characters of Rocky and Apollo, recognizable human emotions disappear during the hyper-dramatic final fight. It is in the character of Adrian that one can see the death of Stallone the artist and the birth of Stallone the superstar. Adrian's love for Rocky proves to be selfless. Only when she believes in him without reservation does he find the fortitude to defeat Apollo. This is exactly the relationship Stallone wanted with his audience. He wanted to be more than a standup guy with some talent; he wanted to be a larger-than-life hero who is adored for being a courageous warrior. Rocky was about a man who lived up to his potential. Rocky II is about an idealized hero. For good or ill, Stallone stopped being one of the common men and became an icon. He would never fully shed that screen persona.