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Creed II (2018), PG-13, ★★★


The 2015 flick, Creed, was a hit and a comeback for the franchise as Ryan Coogler, its director, took over the franchise to make a different and fresh movie from a familiar-looking script that resembles the first Rocky movie, which was one of my few quibbles of that movie. But, now, building on that success, the franchise keeps on rolling with the punches with interesting stories. Obviously, everybody is expecting a bout between sons of Creed and Ivan Drago, the villain from Rocky IV. The movie does not pull the exact same great punches as the first film but it definitely it is an entertaining feat between two competitors who also have their personal struggles in their rear view mirror.

In Kiev, Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), has basically been shunned from the world after both events of the death of Apollo Creed and his defeat against Rocky Balboa in Rocky IV. But, he has another opportunity as he helps train his son, Viktor (Florian Munteanu), for multiple matches. Due to his strength, Viktor defeats his opponents easily. Meanwhile, ever since his loss to Ricky Conlan, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has managed to win ever since then making more of a name for himself than ever before.

After getting advice from Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) to know what to say while proposing, Adonis gets up the courage to propose to Bianca (Tessa Thompson), his girlfriend. Bianca accepts his proposal. The Dragos arrive to Philadelphia along with promoter, Buddy Marcelle (Russell Hornsby). Ivan reunites with Rocky for the first time in over 30 years. Ivan tells Rocky how much he lost after Rocky defeated him and this fight against Adonis is personal. During one of Bianca's concerts, Buddy  attempts to goad Adonis to fighting Viktor. Adonis goes to Rocky to persuade him to train Adonis for the fight against Viktor. But, Rocky backs out because he does not want to see history repeat itself.


I was surprised of how personal this latest sequel was because I was expecting a more action-packed rivalry story but this is a family story not solely within the Creed household but also within the Balboa household and the Drago household. You see also those familial struggles behind-the-scenes, meaning the fight is basically against life as they try to redeem themselves to get back into the game. It is a step down from its predecessor as it is mostly a 30-year sequel to Rocky IV as it is to Creed. I felt there were a few contrivances in the screenplay where, for example, I felt that Rocky's personal storyline was there just to see how his chemistry with his son is doing.

Michael B. Jordan is still solid as Adonis as I can feel his pain and perseverance, both physically and mentally, as it goes in a predictable direction in which Adonis loses his edge. We have seen that formula but it is boosted by Tessa Thompson, who is given more time in the movie. In the last movie and I'm in the minority, I felt it was a spoon-fed love story parallel to the first Rocky film, where she needed to be developed a little more. But, I felt her presence much more her as she is in Adonis' corner and also is in the midst of their struggle. Sylvester Stallone is still great in his supporting role generating a wonderful performance. But, the performance I was very much surprised by was Dolph Lundgren as I felt his story was more powerful than Creed's storyline here. You can see his personality diminished into a curmudgeon that wants revenge for glory and using his son for glory. The scene between Ivan and Rocky was a brief one but was worth the wait.

Steven Caple Jr. did a good job by turning a formulaic storyline into a movie that is worth of interest thanks to the characters and the acting. Some of the dialogue seemed a bit corny in comparison to Coogler's Creed this time around and it felt like I was fed some pockets of nostalgia from other movies that did not need to be there but I had a very good time with this film. And, the boxing scenes are quite good and vibrant, generating that rooting interest for Creed to succeed. It is formulaic, yes, but this movie is good formula for a successful, entertaining ride.

***


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