Rocky II
Rocky II
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.
Eric Bakke reviewedJuly 10, 2025
Rocky II isn’t bad—it’s just kind of stuck in a weird spot in the series. It doesn’t have the originality or raw emotion of the first Rocky, and it doesn’t hit the high-energy drama of Rocky III or IV. Stallone’s performance is solid, but it doesn’t feel as dialed-in as what he brought later in Rocky Balboa.
The biggest issue? It drags. It’s not terrible, but way too much screen time is spent on Rocky's domestic issues. By the time we finally get to the big rematch with Apollo, the fight feels almost rushed—like the movie suddenly remembered, “Oh yeah, this is a boxing film.”
It’s not top-tier Rocky, but it’s worth watching if you’re going through the series.