Review: Creed II

Michael B. Jordan stars as Adonis Creed in CREED II (Frank Ockenfels / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures / Warner Bros. Pictures)

The long-awaited sequel to “Creed” is finally here. Our J.P. reviews the latest installment of the “Rocky” film series. Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone enter the ring again in “Creed II.”

CREED II
MGM

• RATED: PG-13 FOR SPORTS ACTION VIOLENCE, LANGUAGE, AND A SCENE OF SENSUALITY.
• Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Wood Harris, Russell Hornsby, Florian “Big Nasty” Munteanu, Andre Ward, Phylicia Rashad, Dolph Lundgren
• Directed By: Steven Caple Jr.
• Produced By: Sylvester Stallone, Kevin King-Templeton, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Irwin Winkler

Studio Synopsis:
Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family’s past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what’s worth fighting for, and discover that nothing’s more important than family. Creed II is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can’t escape your history.

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J.P.’s Take:
When you think of boxing greats, you conjure up names such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Lewis, Mike Tyson, “Sugar” Ray Leonard, Manny Pacquiao, and Oscar De La Hoya, just to name a few. You can also add Rocky Balboa and Adonis Creed to the circle of champions … well, OK, so the last two are just fictitious characters, nevertheless, that’s the feeling you get watching “Creed II.”

Michael B. Jordan stars as Adonis Creed and Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa (Barry Wetcher / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures / Warner Bros. Pictures)

“Rocky” being one of the most inspirational sports dramas in cinematic history is followed up with a tributing nod the series as a whole. Does it captures that same epic atmosphere once again? “Creed II” pairs Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone in yet another rousing performance with a story that is just as heart pounding and persuasive as “Rocky.”

Call “Creed II” the classic David and Goliath story — the previous underdog Adonis Creed (Jordan) comes up in the ranks during the first film and now gets a taste of what it’s like to be a champion. You can also call this a revenge tale as well, as Adonis, the son of boxing great Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers, seen in archived footage), faces down one his most fiercest and crushing opponents yet, with a last name that haunts both the Creed family and Rocky himself: Drago. This time it is Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu), the son of Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren, who reprises his famous role from “Rocky IV”).

For the diehard “Rocky” fans, you are aware of where this is going and if you recall the heart breaking moment in “Rocky IV” you can connect the dots in this narrative. Apply that framework to “Creed II” and you’ll find an all too familiar storyline, where Adonis is fighting a battle on two fronts. He fights for both pride/honor of being a champion and to put his family’s name in the history books by avenging his father’s death. In order to do that he has to take the fight with Ivan’s son or throw in the towel and loose his title. Adding to the drama is that Adonis and fiancée Bianca (Tessa Thompson) just became parents in the process, which put pressure on their relationship, as well as Adonis’s career.

Dolph Lundgren and Florian Munteanu star as Ivan and Viktor Drago (Barry Wetcher / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures / Warner Bros. Pictures)

It all builds up into this intense, sometimes mellow dramatic deluge of ego tripping, family ties, and being able to rise from the ashes. How it plays out is with zeal, heartfelt moments and legendary training montages and boxing matches. And if you watch closely, you may even find there is a redemptive quality to its ending.

The cast boasts some noteworthy returns of characters from the past like Lundgen and Brigitte Nielsen, who also returns to play Ludmila Drago, wife of Ivan Drago and Viktor’s mother. Kudos to main cast of Phylicia Rashad (playing Mary Anne Creed, Apollo’s widow and Adonis’ stepmother),  Andre Ward (Danny “Stuntman” Wheeler), Wood Harris (Tony “Little Duke” Evers), Russell Hornsby (Buddy Marcelle) and Milo Ventimiglia (Robert Balboa) for their excellent contributions to the film.

Certainly, not least, are story writers Sascha Penn and Cheo Hodari Coker, screenplay writers Sylvester Stallone and Juel Taylor, and newcomer director Steven Caple, Jr. for not making mincemeat of the story/script and direction. They gave us a 1-2 punch making “Creed II” another T.K.O.