Anyone that claims to be a fan of the “Rocky/Creed” films will tell you (maybe admit should be a more fitting term here), there are a couple of variables that each of these movies have in common. Obviously they’re built around boxing, so duhhh on that…but the blueprint of each of the plots are the same throughout. The film’s star finds success. Then comes the struggles. Finally, fighting through adversity leads to an upturn at the end. Oh and there’s often lessons of family, friends and love along the way to help keep a good balance. Creed II is no different. And you know what? We’re okay with that.
Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) has defied the odds under the tutelage of his experienced manager/friend Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) as he’s fought his way to the top of boxing’s elite. Now with the woman he loves by his side (Tessa Thompson) and a loving mother (Phylicia Rashad) behind him, there’s nothing Adonis can’t do. But just when he thinks he has everything, fate has a way of sucker punching him where it hurts. The man who took Adonis’ father from him in a vicious fight 30 years ago, returns to revive bad blood for a new generation. Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) is back on American soil with his own son Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu) looking to make a name for himself at the expense of Johnson. A new generation of fighters will inevitably walk in the footsteps of their fathers. Who will come out on top?
Predictability isn’t always a terrible trait in terms of movies. Being reasonably sure of a certain outcome can be enjoyable because it allows you to focus on the journey before reaching the inevitable outcome. Creed II isn’t going for a shock and awe type of experience. Director Steven Caple, Jr. sticks with a winning formula and instead focuses on quality rather than trying to stand out by making bold and risky maneuvers. The plot of the sequel is a good one and also ties deep into the franchise. By bringing back arguably the most despised villain of the original movies in Ivan Drago, makes for a blood-boiling good time. Now a whole new generation of hatred has been born. And that makes for a lucrative future.
Michael B. Jordan is noticeably more defined in his second go round. Just like his veteran co-star, Sylvester Stallone, did in Rocky movies II through eternity, becoming more and more chiseled is just a byproduct of the commitment that these amazing actors share. Jordan also makes for a convincing boxing athlete so there’s that. Stallone is Stallone, the same as he always is so you know what you’re going to get. Tessa Thompson raises her supporting role to the next level while Phylicia Rashad brings a good steady strong female veteran presence.
The return of Dolph Lundgren to the franchise is a nice touch of familiarity and a great bridge to the legacy of the characters. Casting Florian Munteanu as Viktor Drago is an excellent choice. Munteanu has physical attributes that cannot be taught, and his already honed skills as a boxer give him a leg up on many actors as he’s already most of the way there. This being his feature film debut is even more impressive given the fact that it’s so high profile. There are a couple of mild casting surprises that make Creed II even more complete but I’ll leave it at that for now.
This sequel does not disappoint and has everything that fans will want when dropping top dollar on it this long Thanksgiving weekend. You will smile, cry, cheer, bob and weave as you get a ringside seat to this eighth entry of the franchise. When movies get audience participation like that, you know that something was done right. Just as the previous entries in the franchise have done (yes, even the fifth one did in parts), you will be entertained. Rocky may have hung up his gloves for good, but Adonis Johnson still has a lot of punch left in his career. You can see Creed II, the rise of a champion in theaters now.
