The problem for Sylvester Stallone is how to preserve Rocky Balboa's adorable underdog persona, now that he wears the heavyweight championship belt, has reeled off ten successful title defenses, and enjoys the good life as magazine cover-boy, American Express Card spokesman, celebrity guest on The Muppet Show, etc., etc. The solution comes in the form of a fire-breathing savage with a three-piece hairdo, who dismantles the suburban fat-cat in two bloody rounds. Re-enter Apollo Creed, deposed heavyweight king, who takes charge of Rocky's training, moves him to L.A.'s skid row to remind him what hunger is, teaches him to fight like a black (which means, for one thing, some defensive capability, which is not a bad idea after seventy-some professional fights), and finally, with no concern for mixed metaphors, re-implants "the Eye of the Tiger" into "the Italian Stallion." More ups and downs in this chapter of the Rocky saga, and more action as well. With Talia Shire, Burgess Meredith, and Carl Weathers; written and directed by Stallone. (1982) — Duncan Shepherd
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