After the tremendous critical and commercial success of the first Rocky, it is to no surprise that Sylvester Stallone would bring back “The Italian Stallion” for another round in Rocky II.

Following straight after the title fight between Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), Rocky II has Rocky retiring due to injuries sustained in the fight; marrying his sweetheart Adrian (Talia Shire); and blessed with the news that Adrian is pregnant.

Taking advantage of his new found fame, Rocky accepts a job endorsing various perfects, and decides to move up in the world by purchasing a car and a house. After a devastating commercial shoot (where it quickly becomes apparent that he cannot read his lines due to his lack of education), Rocky is fired.

Facing bankruptcy, he agrees to a re-match with Creed, who has been goading Rocky to get back into the ring. His decision to fight distresses Adrian who – after a confrontation with her brother Paulie (Burt Young) – pre-maturely gives birth to a healthy baby boy and slips into a coma. Guilt ridden and depressed, Rocky keeps a vigil at Adrian’s hospital bed as Creed grows stronger through his training.

When Adrian comes to and encourages Rocky to win, he takes to his training harder than before under the watchful eye of his manager Mickey (Burgess Meredith), setting up a colossal re-match for the world heavyweight title.

Much like its predecessor, Rocky II is an emotionally charged film, but this is no mere re-hash. Continuity is found within these characters, especially Rocky who has many layers placed upon him as he deals with issues such as dignity, humility, humiliation, the questioning of manhood and the trappings of success. The film also examines the faith which keeps him moving forward.

The cast is great. Talia Shire still contains the sweetness and vulnerability that made her such a top draw in the first film, Burgess Meredith is all piss and vinegar, and Burt Young and Carl Weathers do what they do best.

It is Stallone, of course, who is the real focus, achieving an impressive trifecta with a great performance, an equally impressive screenplay (full of many memorable lines) and great direction, his debut.

Taking what John G. Avildsen accomplished with the first film and then adding his own style, Stallone comes forward as an action visionary, with the fight scene a vast improvement when compared to the original.

It is an extremely well choreographed scene. The use of slow motion, the great editing by Stanford C. Allen and Janice Hampton, the improved sound effects, and composer Bill Conti’s extremely effective “War” composition together creates an excellent fight scene, up there with the best of them.

A very good sequel, but also a very good, if not underrated film on its own merits.