Rocky II

Year: 1979

Size/Type: UK Quad (30" x 40")

Country of Origin: UK

Condition: Near Mint minus; originally folded

Director: Sylvester Stallone

Actor/Actress: Sylvester Stallone, Carl Weathers, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Burgess Meredith.

Comments: "You're gonna eat lightnin'; you're gonna crap thunder. "... The original "Rocky" movie was such a monstrous hit that a sequel was inevitable. The film picks up where the first one left off, quickly moving forward, fleshing out characters and subplots. Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) wants a rematch, but Rocky has his doubts. Eventually, Rocky accepts to fight Apollo and you pretty much know how the story is going to end. One of the few sequels that are as good, if not better, than the original film. This time around the story does not feel original (director-star Stallone recreates with uncanny precision the structure and tone of the first film), and the manipulation is hard to disguise. Still, there is an air of honesty in Stallone's screenplay, but more important, this sequel remains true to the original characters. The film allows the beloved characters to grow, as great sequels often do. Stallone's direction is not very imaginative, but it is clear that he did his homework and he does a wonderful job balancing all aspects of his screenplay. Slicker than the first film, but still a very personal drama that knows when (and how) to push the right buttons. Bill Butler's cinematography is good and Bill Conti's score still delivers the goods. It is a great sequel that fans of the first film will love.