Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Rocky II’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

‘There's one thing I want you to do for me.’
‘What?’
 ‘Come here... win!’
- Rocky and Adrian Balboa

Whether we like to admit it or not, there is a moment in our lives where we wish we could get a do over. It doesn't matter if it was something as simple as saying what was in our hearts to another person or perhaps stepping up and taking advantage of a grand opportunity, those moments are with us. The question we have to ask ourselves, however, is whether or not we would take another shot at doing things differently if the opportunity presented itself.  

Some folks would certainly prefer to leave their lives the way they are, believing that whatever has happened, has happened and their life is fine the way it is. But there are those that are haunted by that moment, and it fuels them daily to either live their life differently, or they would give anything to go back and do things differently. It is the concept of a second chance at a lost opportunity that fuels the plot of Rocky II.

Following the incredible fight between Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa, a match that Creed won, Rocky is content to walk away from the sport and settle into retirement and it proves to be a wonderful decision. He has the respect of his friends and family, he marries the woman of his dreams and they have a wonderful baby on the way. But his lack of education leaves his financial future uncertain, yet opportunity has come knocking once again. Creed, despite winning the fight, is furious that he was unable to defeat Rocky decisively and challenges Rocky to come out of retirement to fight him for a rematch. Rocky is game, but his wife is not and now he must train without the person that matters most in his corner for what could be his last shot at glory.  

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I think what I love most about this motion picture, is how much it delves into character development this time around, primarily for both Rocky and Apollo and it follows to a tee the theme of what a second chance can mean to a man. For Rocky, it means nothing. He said point blank in the last movie it was about going the distance, and it's clear early on in the film he is content walking away from the sport, collecting a few checks and raising a family. But what truly grows the character is the fact that he steps back into the ring, risking limb and long-term health to care for that new family. It's a noble reason to be a hero and one that is so pure and honest you root for him every step of the way. 

Contrast that with Apollo, who is clearly consumed by how the fight went. Sure, he won. Sure, he's still the world champion of boxing, but none of that matters. He needed to dominate in the win. He needed to embarrass Rocky and walk away as untouchable. It's amazing to watch his descent into obsession and anger over what happened in that first fight and quite frankly, it's something I haven't seen in a sports film since this one.  

Despite the incredibly epic finale that will leave you satisfied to say the least, this is an extremely beautiful and cerebral sports movie that shows us a side of boxing we rarely see... what happens after the fight and it makes for a fascinating and gripping motion picture experience, one that pays full respect to the monumental film that came before it. See this one if you haven't, it really is a fantastic motion picture. 

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