The second film of the ROCKY franchise is a winner right along with its hero. While I enjoyed the first movie, I was constantly aware of its low budget roots, the rough-around-the-edges feel to it and the slightly overlong running time. All of those factors have been cleared up in this sequel, which offers a more satisfying, perfectly made viewing experience. There are no long-winded introductions to the characters here, instead we're thrown into the thick of the human drama and the film excels as a result. It follows roughly the same template as the first, with a down-on-his-luck Rocky struggling to make a success of his life before finally giving in and then training for the climatic boxing match.

Stallone directed this instalment and his skill behind the camera shows with lots of well-shot sequences. The training sequence of the first film was a classic moment but this one manages to top it with a real feel-good factor. Excellent theme music helps, along with the fact that Stallone had grown enormously as an actor by this stage and thus his Rocky is a much more human, likable creation. Kudos too to the supporting players, ALL of whom are warmer than we found previously; Apollo Creed is a very human opponent; Adrian is actually likable instead of cold, and Paulie is no longer an idiot. Plus we also get Burgess Meredith on top form, and he shares some fine scenes with Stallone in this one.

There are plenty of entertaining moments, not least Rocky's lengthy search for an honest profession. Of course, the boxing match at the climax is what it's all about, and it doesn't disappoint: it's longer, more sustained, better choreographed, and even more violent than the original's, as the camera never flinches away from the brutality of the sport. Sitting back when it was all over, I realised that there was nothing about this film I didn't like: I found it a fantastic film in every respect.

This starts with the end of the first movie. Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) wins the fight. Both he and Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) are sent to the hospital. Rocky wants to retire. Apollo wants a rematch. Rocky marries Adrian (Talia Shire). Rocky spends all his money and can't find another job. He's back to hauling meat. Adrian is pregnant. Rocky loses his job. He reconnects with trainer Mickey (Burgess Meredith) trying to fight again but his right eye is no good anymore. Apollo is under public pressure and personal pride for a rematch. Apollo starts taunting Rocky until he agrees to a fight.

It's more of a prototype of the 80s action movie. Stallone is perfecting the formula here. The pace is faster. The slower 70s style of the original is being squeezed. The training is lined up. Rocky is even chasing chickens. The fight is longer and better shot. This time is all Stallone and he does it without sacrificing the emotional content. He is a true renaissance man.

Apollo Creed is embarrassed by his inability to put Rocky Balboa away. As a matter of fact, he damn near lost. Now he is being jeered and maligned. It is only a matter of time before he fights the guy again. Rocky has settled down an gotten a bit lazy. It takes some fast talking from Creed to get him out of hiding. What follows is the formulaic plot that will delight the populace and satisfy our need for another result. Once again we have conflicts in Balboa's life. He is still maligned by his own manager and brother in law. But it's going to be a fight and I'm not spoiling anything by saying that they will meet and they will pound each other half to death. The second movie doesn't have the fresh charm of the first, but it's still a captivating film with enough intrigue to make it interesting.