Creed II Movie Review
3 out of 5
Three years after the surprise of “Creed,” we have “Creed II,” a continuation of the Rocky Balboa story focused mainly on Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), son of the legendary Apollo Creed. In the first chapter of the Creed saga, we are introduced to Adonis, as he struggles with just who he is, and how to handle living in the shadow of his father. Of course, he is a boxer and once the public discovers who he is — his life is turned upside down — and it is Rocky who comes alongside him and helps him navigate the deep waters he now occupies.
In “Creed II,” time has passed and Adonis has now established himself as a legitimate boxer, reeling off several wins after his failed challenge for the heavyweight crown at the end of the first film. Much like the first “Rocky” movie, Adonis didn’t emerge victorious — but his heart and desire proves he belongs, and wins him over to the public. The first time we see him in the ring in this film — he is fighting an old foe who defeated him in a sparring match — and by doing so took his coveted Mustang left to him by his father. This time the fight is for more than a car (though that too is back on the line), but for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. Just like his father, Apollo, and his mentor, Rocky, before him, Adonis overcomes adversity in the fight and eventually claims the title and his own place in boxing history — and all seems right with the world. In an almost slum-like neighborhood in the Ukraine though, is the man who killed Apollo Creed in the ring some 30 years ago, Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren). Living in what appears to be exile — he is singularly focused on regaining his old status as a national hero — which was taken from him when he lost to Rocky Balboa in “Rocky IV.” Obviously, Drago cannot step back into the ring — so he is living this dream through his son, Viktor — played by the equally menacing Florian Munteanu. With a merciless training regimen and boxing schedule, Ivan pushes his son to become what he once was — a beast in the ring. All of this is going on under the watchful eye of their promoter, Buddy Marcelle (Russell Hornsby), who is angling toward setting up what he sees as the ultimate money maker in the sport — Drago vs. Creed. Of course, once Adonis gains the title — Marcelle and the Drago’s — come to his home in Philadelphia and make a very public challenge to his crown. And that’s as far as I can take you, without spoilers…
Since Sylvester Stallone confirmed this movie was coming to fruition — everyone has been clamoring to see it. Not only to see Rocky and Creed again — but to see one of the best antagonists the Rocky saga had in Ivan Drago. Anyone who has followed the Rocky story has always wondered what happened to this guy. He lost one match, and we never heard from him again, much like Clubber Lang in “Rocky III,” he just disappeared. Where did he go? Well, now we finally have our answers. If you’ve seen the trailers you know he tells Rocky that due to that loss — everything was taken from him. His place in society, his career — even his wife — and he wants to right all the wrongs he perceives have been done to him via his son.
“Creed II” fits nicely in the Rocky storyline. Of course, it’s a bit predictable — feeling like a mashup of the “Rocky III” and “Rocky IV” plots — as boxing only provides so many stories to tell. However, it missed a big opportunity in the story telling / character development department. While the film does a great job with Adonis, his wife (Tessa Thompson) and Rocky, I really wanted to see some sort of resolution for the Drago’s, as they are more than just villains in this film — you will genuinely feel bad for them at some points in the story. In “Rocky IV,” there wasn’t really any need to know who Drago was. He was supposed to be ice cold — almost machine like. We weren’t supposed to feel anything for him. While the movie is about Creed and Rocky mostly, now that Drago cannot occupy a ring anymore as a fighter and has lost nearly everything — I really wanted to know more about him. As for Viktor — the story can’t really decide what to do with him. On the one hand, he is supposed to be machine-like as well, but on the other, there are several scenes where you feel more for him than Creed. After all, his life has been essentially taken from him by his father, and he has grown up in horrible conditions to boot. On the few occasions the film allows for Munteanu to show emotion when he feels as though he’s failing his father — your heart hurts for him — which almost makes you want him to win and muddies up the point of Adonis’ desire to redeem his dad. There is a small moment when Drago does for his son, what Rocky couldn’t do for Apollo — showing he is a father, and that he loves his son — I just wanted a bit more. Even perhaps a moment when Rocky, Adonis, Ivan and Viktor reconcile in some way. Maybe that will come in another film, as I’m sure Creed isn’t done yet, or who knows? Maybe we’ll have “Drago” next.
At the end of the day though, this film is highly entertaining — even if it’s hard to believe Michael B. Jordan is anywhere near a heavyweight boxer, or capable of beating up someone so much bigger than him — but then again — that is what these movies are all about. They are about never giving up — even if you are the underdog, and I’ll be darned if Rocky still isn’t the shining star in the film.
“Creed II” is now showing, and is rated PG-13 for sports action violence, language and a scene of sensuality.
